LINER CAPSIZED

DISASTER AT HAMBURG.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. BERLIN, Sunday.

An extraordinary disaster has befallen the Brazilian Lloyd liner Avare. While being towed out of the Vulkan repairing dock at Hamburg the vessel capsized, and forty-two of those on board are believed to have been drowned. The cause of the accident is supposed to have been insufficient water ballast in the tanks. When towage started the Avare had a list to starboard, and, despite the efforts of the tugs to right her, this was succeeded by a more serious one to port, and water poured in through the open portholes. The vessel then heeled over to starboard and capsized. Scenes of wild excitement followed; In addition to the crew a number of dockyard workers were aboard – in all about 200 persons – and those who could leaped into the water. All the boats in the vicinity hastened to the rescue, and over 150 men were saved. When the water poured into the great funnels there was a tremendous hissing sound. Some of those who, had jumped overboard were dashed against the ship’s side until drawn down by suction. Others were imprisoned between decks, and were unable to escape, including workmen doing repairs inside some of the tanks. Frenzied hammering could be heard from the men in the vessel, and seventeen large holes were made in the hull in an endeavour to save them from suffocation. In some cases it was possible to drag them out, but in others the knocking gradually grew weaker, and finally ceased altogether, the workers having evidently fallen back exhausted into the submerged part of the ship. Rescue work was rendered difficult by the incoming tide driving the liner along. She was prevented by her masts from completely turning turtle, and part of the hull caught fire. The captain was taken from the water in an unconscious condition, as were eighteen others, but all were resuscitated. Some of the rescued badly injured. Of the missing fourteen were dockyard workers and twenty-eight members of the crew.