DISASTER AT SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1921, Page 5

DISASTER AT SEA.

VESSEL A DERELICT.

KEPT AFLOAT BY CARGO.

ELEVEN MEN MISSING.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received August 27, 5.5 pan. Ottawa, August 26. It is officially announced that after the Canadian Importer was abandoned in a sinking condition her seams opened. In the morning another attempt was made to save the ship.

The steamer Cordova received the majorI ity of the crew, who stood by till Thursj day. The Importer’s decks are awash, only ; the superstructure showing above the waves, but the lumber cargo aboard is ■ keeping the ship from foundering. After being on board the Cordova all day Captain Bissett and part of the crew returned on board the Importer to-night, hoping that the derelict may be towed to \ ancouver. The Government steamer Canadian Observer was diverted from San Francisco and should reach the Importer to-morrow night. If fine weather prevails there is a chance of salvage; meantime, two officers and nine of the crew, who left, in a lifeboat in an endeavor to reach lhe Oregon coast, are missing. Four steamers ?re en route to the rescue of the Importer, and should be alongside on Saturday morning. The Canadian Winner, which is returning from Australia, was diverted when she heard on Wednesday night by wireless that the importer was sinking. Captain Bissett wirelessed this morning that he could hold out for a week. Eleven of the crew are missing.—Reuter Service. VESSEL MAY BE SAVED. Received August 28, 11.50 p.m. Sydney, August 28. The Sydney sgent of the Canadian Line has received advice that there are good hopes of the Canadian Importer being brought to port.