TRAGEDY AT SEA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 13 October 1913, Page 5

TRAGEDY AT SEA.

OCEAN STEAMER AFIRE.

ASSISTANCE SUMMONED BY WIRELESS.

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIX MISSING. (Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.) LONDON, October 11. The Cunard liner Carmania, when en route from New York to .Liverpool, received a wireless message in the evening, stating that the Canadian and Northern Steamship Company's steamer Volturao was afire seventyeight miles away. > •' * The Carmania hastened to the scene, and found the forward part of the vessel burning fiercely. BOATS SMASHED TO PIECES. Two boatloads of passengers were got safely away, but four other boatloads were smashed by the terrific seas against the side of the vessel, and the occupants were drowned. The fierceness, of the gale that raged at the time prevented the Carmania's boats from approaching - the burning steamer. Meanwhile, Captain Barr, of the Carmania, manoeuvred a hundred feet from the stern of the Volturno. Nine other steamers also answered the wireless summons.

Searchlights were erected, but the heavy seas and growing darkness frustrated repeated efforts to reaqh the burning Vessel. AN EXPLOSION. As the flames burnt through the engine-room, an explosion was heard. Passengers, with life-belts, were seen to be huddled together on the poop and astern. It was only possible to throw lifebuoys, and; stand by till the morning. Numbers were seen struggling in the water, and many who could swim, were picked up.. t When day broke, the Volturoo was still afloat, and the sea had moderated. ■ . THE RESCUED. The Carmania rescued, one person, and rescues were made by other vessels as follows:—La Touraine, Minniapolis, 30; Rappahamock, 19; Czar, 102; Narraganse, 29; Devonian, 59; Kroonland, 90; Grosser Kurfust, 105 ; Seydritz, 36; total, 511. It is feared that the remainder of the passengers aitid crew have perished. The feroohland rescued the Captain, the chief, second, third, and fifth engineers, and two telegraphists. THE MISSING. According to the Volturno's passenger list, she had aboard twentyfour, cabin and 540 steerage passengers, besides a crew of 93, making a total of 657.

There are, therefore, 146 persons missing. The vessel was en route from Hot- j terdam to New York. TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX MISSING. A THRILLING SCENE. Received This Morning, 12.15 o'clock. LONDON, October 12. Later information shows that the Volturno's-crew numbered 193, making a total aboard of 757. The Czar rescued 112, making the total saved 521, and the missing 236. The Volturno was almost exactly in mid-Atlantic when she took fire. The Carmania received the call early on Thursday, and reached' the scene at noon. Ten other vessels responded, and all had arrived, by four o'clock in the afternoon. , A THRILLING SCENE. . When darkness fell, the scene was a thrilling one. , • The Volturno, burning fiercely, was

surrounded by huge and brilliantlylighted hulls of an international fleet, crowded thousands of spectators. The vessels, rolling and plunging in mountainous seas, were -unable to ,give succour to those on the burning ship. It was not until 9.20 in the morning that the survivone were taken off.

HOPES THAT MORE ARE SAVED, ARRANGEMENTS FOR BURIAL.

Received This Morning, 12.15 o'clock NEW YORK, October 12.

The agents of the Uranium line of steamers believes that there is a greater number being saved from the Volturno than was at first thought probable. The steamer Uranium has been despatched to recover the bodies and give a proper funeral to the dead. The Uranium is expected to reach the scene on Wednesday. The Red Cross Committee hfere are arranging for the care of the survivors when tlhev latfid.