Sinking
The Dara sailed from Bombay on 23 March, on a round trip to Basra, calling at intermediate ports. She reached Dubai on 7 April and was unloading cargo, embarking and disembarking passengers when the wind picked up. It quickly reached force seven and prevented further work. Another ship that had dragged her anchor in the bad weather collided with Dara.[8] Although the structural damage was minimal, the impact decided the ship’s captain Elson to take Dara out of the anchorage to ride out the storm.[7][8] Due to the conditions there had been no opportunity to disembark those people aboard who did not intend to travel, including relatives and friends seeing off passengers, cargo handlers and various shipping and immigration officials.
At about 04.33 on 8 April 1961, a large explosion struck the port side of the engine casing between decks, passing through the engine bulkhead and two upper decks, including the main lounge. The explosion occurred as Dara was returning to the harbour and it started several large fires. The explosion jammed the ship's steering and shut down her main generator. The fire spread rapidly, aided by the wind. Elson ordered the evacuation of the ship.[9]
Launching the lifeboats was impeded by the rough sea, and by the fire spreading below the boat deck. One witness described an overcrowded lifeboat overturning due to the height of the waves. Another lifeboat that had been damaged earlier during the storm was met by the lifeboat of a Norwegian tanker. Several ships were nearby and aid was given by British, German and Japanese ships in the vicinity, as well as boats coming from Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain.[9]
A nearly completed hotel building in Dubai was taken over as a reception centre for the injured, many of whom were suffering from burns, exposure and wounds from flying metal shards. The tide of injured people overwhelmed Al Maktoum Hospital and field stations were opened at Sheikh Rashid's Customs House office block.[9]
In the days following, three British frigates and the US destroyer USS Laffey sent parties aboard Dara to extinguish the fires and the ship was then taken in tow by the Glasgow salvage vessel Ocean Salvor, but she sank at 09.20 on 10 April 1961.
