LOSS OF THE EGYPT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1922, Page 5

LOSS OF THE EGYPT.

CONDUCT OF THE LASCARS. By Telegraph.— Press Assn.—Copyright. London, July 27. The inquiry was continued into the loss of the P. and O. steamer Egypt, which was sunk in the English Channel after collision with another steamer, many lives being lost. Mr. Thomas White, second engineer, said some Lascars hid in the boats, but some went down with the ship. Mr. Hamilton, third engineer, said he descended into one of the boats and found 29 natives. He ordered the oars to be got out and the boat rowed to the Egypt, but the natives declined, fearing the ship would turn on top of them, the Lascars recalling several cases during the war where this had happened. If the natives had obeyed he could have got t-o the Egypt when she was listing and the passengers would have been saved.

Mrs. Hansen, passenger, in an affidavit, said that Sister Rhoda, a nun, calmly read her prayer Look and did much towards inspiring the passengers with confidence. The sister was praying as the Egypt went down. Mr. Anthony Bado. a passenger, with a wife and two children, said the natives were panic-stricken. The passengers and wihte crew remained calm. His little girl repeatedly called to the Lascars for help, but the latter took no notice. A white steward on the boatdeck gave his wife a life-jacket, which a passing Lascar tried to tear from her back. He had his little girl in his arms and could only kick the Lascar.

Mr. Bado said that he and his family sank with the ship. He was picked up, but never saw his wife or children again. The Lascars could have saved his children. They were the only ones on board. There was 25 minutes between the collision and the sinking, but they made no attempt to do so. When he reached he found a Lascar wearing his coat, from which bank notes bad been stolen.