Evening star., 1933-01-04
CRACK FRENCH SHIP
WRECKED BY FIRE
Most of L'AtIantique's Crew
of ITO Believed Saved
in Channel,

CHERBOURG, France, January 4
P.-Capt. School, master of the
French liner L'Atlantique, reported
tonight that 80 of his crew we're
killed when the vessel was destroyed
by fire in the English Channel today.
Some we're burned to death and
others were killed getting of the
ship, he said.
BY the Associated Press.
CHERBOURG, France, January 4
The crack French liner L'Atlan-
tiQue, serving in the South American
run, was wrecked by fire of undeter.
mined origin In the English Channe
early today.
Most of the crew of about ITO were
believed to have been rescued by the
German steamer Ruhr and the steamer
Falmouth after abandoning the L'Atlan-
tique, which carried no passengers and
was en- route to drydock at Havre fol
the annual overhauling.
aboard left Cherbourg to fly over the
burning craft to determine the status
Of salvage efforts and also to seek to
learn If all the crew escaped.
In view Of the scene of the fire being
rs miles away, details here were
meager, but it was reported that tbs
Ruhr picked up most of the crew after
they had taken to small boats. 1t was
presumed that other ships rescued the
remainder
The exact number of men aboard was
not determined, but the owners re-
ported that the vessel carried only part
of the normal crew of 240 when she
left Bordeaux yesterday morning.
Aid of Other Ships.
Maritime authorities supposed that
ships from Guernsey went to the aid oi
the Atlantique after the Ruhr had
radioed first news of the fire, as the
Atlantique soon was surrounded by ves-
sells 25 milcs off Guernsey according to
a radio report here
Meanwhile the minelayer Pollux and
two tugs went out from Cherbourg and
another powerful tug with suitable
flre-flghting equipment from Brest, anc
two other tugs from Havre.
Orders also were given an unnamed
liner to swing from her course and 60
to the scene of the fire.
Word was still awaited this afternoon
from Capt. MaillouX of the minelayer
Pollux, which was ordered to the scene
at $3.50 am. while engaged in naval
C|AC4C ClStS OH CIlcI DOurR.
1t was reported that Rotterdam also
had been asked to send powerful tug;
to attempt to salvage the Atlantique
Master a Sea Veteran.
The Atlantique's master is Comman-
can't Schools, veteran of the sea with
three years service in the South Allan
tic line, including command of the
de luxe liner Massila
The Atlantique is one Of the largest
and fastest French ships, ranking next
TO the lie de France and designed to
make the Bordeaux -Buenos Aires trip
in 16 days.
She left Bordeaux yesterday morning
and was expected at Havre at noon
today She was renowned in shipping
circles for high standard equipment,
regularity of service and good behavior
at sea-
Several members of the crew were
reported to have been injured. These
| men were said to have been taken
aboard the Ruhr, which headed for
Cherbourg after the Atlantique had
| been abandoned.
The vessel apparently will be total
loss. Observers reported her position
as very bad, with a 20 degree list. Al
though no flames we're visible cloucs
OF smoke blanketed her from stem to
stern.
i The Dutch ship, Achilles. came to her
aid but was unable to approach be-
cause OF the intense heat.