STEAMER ON FIRE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3055, 27 November 1908, Page 5

STEAMER ON FIRE.

CABLE NEWS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

MANY LIVES LOST. PASSENGERS JUMP OVERBOARD. Received November 26, 10 a.m. LONDON, November 25. The steamer Sardinia, from Liverpool to Alexandria, with 200 passengers aboard, caught fire off Malta. Many jumped overboard and were drowned. They were chiefly Levantines and Maltese. ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. A ERVE CAPTAIN. TERRIBLE SCENES. Received November 27, 12.30 a.m. LONDON, November 26. The Sardinia belonged to the Ellerman Papyenni Line. Captain Litter, who had command of the Sardinia, perished. He stuck to his post throughout. When the fire damaged the steam steering apparatus he went and worked the hand gear, bringing the vessel's head round to a headland towards Ricasoli, thus avoiding a puwder magazine at the mouth of the harbour. Eighteen out of forty-four of the Sardinia's crew, five, including one British, out of 11 ordinary passengers, and one hundred out of one hundred and forty Moorish pilgrims perished. The vessel had just left the harbour. I Thousands of spectators on the shore rendered energetic assistance in rescuing the passengers and crew. | Under the supervision of Admirals Curzon, Howe, and Fisher, pinnaces, tugs, and launches, containing strong parties of bluejackets, also assisted. The outreak occurred in No. 2 hoid, it is believed through a pilgrim's carelessness. TERRIBLE SENES WERE WITNESSED. • The flames spread with amazing rapidity, enveloping the vessel amidships. Arabs in the forepart of the vessel, including many women and children, refused to jump overboard, although urged by numerous boats, crews., who were unable to approech owing to the high seas. The hatches were blown off, killing many persens, mostly Arabs. Everyone in the engine-room perished. The flames circled to a height of 200 ft, and repeated explosions occurred. Finally, still burning, the vessel struck the Ricasoli rocks. The Sardinia's officers, crew, and naval parties showed utmost heroism throughout. Twenty-seven corpses were recovered and 52 persons are under treatment in the hospitals.