Grim Tragedy of the Sea Recalled

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 401, 9 July 1928, Page 9

Grim Tragedy of the Sea Recalled

BURNING OF VOLTURNA MASTER AT AUCKLAND A grim tragedy of the sea was recalled with the arrival at Auckland this morning of the Cunard Company’s steamer Valacia. For Captain Francis Inch, of the Cunarder was master of the Volturna, which met disaster in the Atlantic in 1913, resulting in the loss of nearly 150 lives. The Volturna, owned by the Canadian Northern Steamship Company, which later merged with the Cunard Line, was en route from Rotterdam to New York via Halifax with 800 immigrants and a cargo of super oxide of barium. The rolling of the ship created friction which ignited the cargo, and fire broke out with a violent explosion on the morning of October 9. Everything on board was wrecked, and many of the passengers were trapped below and sent to an awful death. Attempts were made to get boats away, but the seas were running so high that it was found to be impossible. The first two boats lowered were never seen again. In response to the Volturna’s 5.0.5., the Carmania and other vessels arrived, but they were unable to do anything on account of the heavy seas. Meanwhile the Volturna was in an awful plight with the raging furnace spreading in spite of the efforts of the crew. Darkness came, and another boat was launched, only to be stove in. An officer and crew of four remained, however, and after a two hours’ battle won their way to one of the vessels standing by. The fire reached the bridge, and the ship’s magazine blew up with a teriyfic explosion which again drove terror into the hearts of the helpless immigrants. CAPTAIN INCH HONOURED It was the coolness of Captain Inch, however, that saved the lives of the remainder. He ordered all to jump overboard, and they were picked up by the boats of the eleven ships now clustered round the doomed Volturna. A tanker had arrived on the scene, and poured oil on to the troubled waters. At 8.30 that morning, when everyone was off. Captain Inch went over the side and was taken on board the s.s. Kroonland. He was blind with the intense heat, and did not regain his sight for eight days. He had eaten nothing since dinner time on Wednesday, and it was now Friday. Altogether 104 passengers and 39 of a crew of 90 were lost. Most of the immigrants were Jews and spent the time in prayer celebrating the solemn feast of Hie Atonement. Captain Inch was rewarded for his bravery with the- Freedom of the City of London, Freedom of the City of Rotterdam, Freedom of Fremantle, and a silver medal from I#loyds. He was born at Plymouth and went to sea at the age of 15. He has been master of many vessels since those days, and was in command of the Folia when she was torpedoed in the Irish ) Sea on March 18, 1917. On this occa(sion he again displayed commendable bravery.