The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-27
PANIC, HORROR
MARKS Scene
AS SHIP SINKS
Rescuer Sees Shark Devour
Survivor of Liner in
Sea.
CAPTAIN STICKS TO POST
Hundreds Leap From Vessel
Instead of Waiting for
for Lifeboats.

RH United Press
BAHIA, Oct. PA story of in
describe horror, of the screams of
dying women and children, Of
maniacal panic, of heroic rescues, of
shark devouring a swimming man,
was told here today by the COM
mander of French ship which
brought to Bahia twenty-rour sur
vivors from the liner Principesse
Mafalda, sunk off the Brazilian
coast Tuesday night after boiler
blast.
The, story was narrated by Com
mander Privat, master of the
Mosella.
He refused to believe the optinis-
tic reports that all but handful of
the Mafada's 1856 passengers and
crew were saved.
"It is impossible" he said, "ab-
solutely impossible"
Fear Loss of Lives Heavy
The terrible story told upon the
arrival of the MoSella caused anxi-
ETY. and fear here.
Their stories jibed neither with
those purporting to have come from
rescue ships, struggling through a
welter of crossing messages to radio
their reports to shore, nor with off,
cial estimates of survivors. \
Antonio Ferreirra, passenger
aboard the Mosella, told the United
Press he saw a great shark advance
toward one of the Mafalda's COM
pany, floating in the sea, and devour
him.
Captain Sank at His Post
The story of the sinking of the
liner as it appeared to those aboard
it was told to the United Press by
First Engineer Carlo Luiseto.
The ship settled and sank stern
first into the sea, with the captain
and the chief radio operator at
their posts.
A few minutes before the men,
bers of the band had left, just in
time to save themselves.
II left the PrincipesSa Mafalda at
the moment she hank, five hours
after water had started to enter the
ships compartments" Luiseto said.
"The passengers were uncontroll-
able. The panic continued until the
boilers exploded, and then it be-
came even worse.
No Life Boat Delay
II deny absolutely accusations
that Commander Simone delayed
lowering the Iifeboats.
They Were in Good Condition
Captain Simone remained the
post of honor on the bridge Of the
ship he loved until she sank. Prob
ably he yet remains at his post.
Hundreds of passengers and
members of the crew leaped into the
sea, crazed bys panic. 'Lifeboats
became uncomfortable. Many cap
sized due to the heavy sea.
Many women, however, jumped
overheard, insane with fear.
II saw many passengers running
frantically up and down the decks,
carrying life preservers in their
hands.
"The Mosella arrived at the mo-
ment I left the Mafalda.
"I was swimming a considerable
time before I was picked up.
Sea Full of Humanity
"The sea was dotted with noun
tains of humanity. Piling one on
top of the other on fragments of
lumber from the wreckage.
IT am an old seadog," said Com
mander Privat of the Mosella. But
the picture never will leave my
mind of thee wreck scene.
1--WE picked up the Mafalda's
S o 8 at 10 o'clock Tuesday night.
The sea was revolving sight, con-
trary winds blowing, waves running
high.
"Ouh ship arrived at the scene off
the rocky coast. The sea was full
of people-in lifeboats and floating
in life preservers."
Shaft Rips Hull Open
1.-THE cause of the disaster was
broken propeller shaft. It's failing
tore hole in the ships hull.
Water rushed into the ship as if a
live enemy.
''The boiler room was flooded. The
boilers exploded.
"Even for me, who has seen the
sea at it's worst, the scene was ter
rifyng. I have seen many other dis
asters at sea, but none like that.
Man, am old and hardened
But I still can hear the screams of
the women and children-old
women, young girls at the threshold
of life, babies-as they went down
in the sea to death"