A HOLOCAUST

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 286, 27 November 1908, Page 2

A HOLOCAUST

JSIKMVO STEAMER SUCKS. CLOSE TO LAND. 123 LLVES LOST. lIAIiIiOW'I.N'U SCENES. HEROISM OF T!(K OFFICERS AND (,'KKW. London, November 20. A lire broke out 011 the strainer .Wuniia, bound from Liverpool to Alexandria, with two hundred pussengers, while she was oil' the island ol -Malta. Many of the passengers jumped overboard and were drowned. These wore mostly Levunthianes and •Maltese.

Received 27, 0.30 a.m. London, November 20. The Sardinia belonged to the Eiler-iimii-l'apycimi line. Captain Litter perished, lie stuck to his post throughout. When the lire damaged the steam steering apparatus he went and worked the, hamlgciir, bringing the vessel's head round to the headland towards Ilicasoli, thus avoiding the powder magazine at the mouth of the harbor. -

Eighteen out of the crew of 44; live (including one British) out of elcvea ordinary passengers; and 10(1 out of 140 Moorish pilgrims perished. ; The vessel had just left the harbor. Thousands of spectators were on shore. Energetic ellorts to rescue the unfortunate people were made. Admirals Curzon, Howe, a;id Fisher superintended operations. iPinnaees and tugs were launched by strong parties ot bluejackets. Tile outbreak occurred in Xo. 2 hold. I It is believed it was due to the pilgrims' carelessness.

The flames spread with amazing rapidity, enveloping the middle of the ship. The Arabs forward, including many women and children, refused to jump overlwiird, although urged to do so by the- numerous boats' crews, who were unable to approach very closely owing to the high seas.

Tim hatches were hlown oft', killing many, mostly Arabs. Kveryone in the enginerooni perished. The Sardinia circled thrice helplessly, The Humes rose to a height of 200 feet. There were repeated explosion*, and finally, still, hmnintf, the vessel struck the Kicnsoli rocks.

Tlic Sill-ilium's officers and crew and the naval parties displayed the utmost heroism throughout. Twenty-seven corpses have been recovered. Fifty-two of those rescued are under treatment at the .hospitals. The Duke of Connaught, the Archbishop and clergy, the (Governor andLady lira lit were active in their personal kindness.