DISASTER AT SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1922, Page 5

DISASTER AT SEA.

SINKING 0E THE EGYPT. HELP CALLS TO THE END. HEROISM OF. OPERATOR. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, May 22. The courtyard of the P. and O. offices is the scene of a pathetic vigil, groups of relatives of the passengers and crew awaiting further tidings. It is expected some of the missing may be on board other vessels known to have been in the vicinity.

Survivors explain that the tremendous list the Egypt took after the impact made it most difficult for the passengers to approach the lifeboats. Al] three wireless operators perished, the chief operator, Arthur Harwick, dying at his post He was dining at the time and rushed to the cabin, told the third operator to go on the boat-deck and help the officers, saying: “I will look after the wireless myself.” When the last boat left the assistant returned and spoke to Harwick, who refused to leave his post, but continued tapping out S.O.S. signals. He was last seen standing at the door of the wireless cabin as the vessel plunged. The steamer Lapland, of Rotterdam, arriving at Plymouth from New York, was delayed by fog. She reports that she heard the S.O.S. 400 miles away. Several of the biggest general clothing stores at Brest were ransacked for outfits for the rescued, some of whom were almost destitute.

DIED FOR A WOMAN. BRAVERY OF A PRINTER. A MILLION IN SPECIE LOST. « Received May 23, 8.10- p.m. London, May 23. The specie on board the Egvpt was valued at £1,000,000. Rescued passengers narrate the bravery of a printer named Jenner. He procured a lifebelt and jumped overboard. He found himself alongside a woman without a belt and unable to swim, and though himself no swimmer, he took off the belt and gave it t.o the woman, saying, “take it, never mind me.” Jenner was drowned and the woman was saved.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONDUCT OF THE LASCARS. BLAMED FOR LOSS OF LIFE. Received May 23, 8.45 p.m. London, May 22. The surviving passengers of the Egypt have signed a statement declaring that all might have been saved but for the unruly conduct of the Lascars—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.