ATTACK ON ZAMZAM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1941, Page 5

ATTACK ON ZAMZAM

SHIP SHELLED WITHOUT WARNING NINE PERSONS BADLY WOUNDED. MANY OTHERS INJURED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 2G. The Biarritz correspondent ol' the British United Press says that Mr J. V. Murpliy, one of the survivors of the Egypt inn steamer Zamzam who is also one of lhe editors of the American magazine ‘‘Eonune.” vividly described the sinking of the vessel. "We were four days from Cape Town, just before dawn on May 17. when nine shells hit her," he said. “Captain Smith attempted to signal, but the ship's blinker was shattered. Ho ordered the Egyptian flag to be unfurled and grabbed ,a hand-torch and began signalling himself. The firing ceased, but nine persons were badly wounded and many others were hurt.

"There was utter confusion aboard. A number of men. women and children swam round in the water for over 20 minutes before they were picked up. Fortunately the sea was calm. Members of the American ambulance brigade dived overboard and towed pieces of floating wreck-age lo the women and children to help them to float.

"Everyone was taken aboard the raider by 7.30 a.m. The raider’s captain expressed regret about the shelling.

“On lhe next day all except two wounded Americans and one wounded Englishman were transferred to a merchantman, whoso captain was not so polite. He declared in English, ‘lf there is any monkey business we will answer with machine-guns.’ ” The survivors were aboard this merchantman for 33 days before they were landed at St. Jean-de-Luz; France.