In April 1953 I was travelling with my father to Sicily on the Star of Malta. Unfortunately the ship developed engine trouble before we arrived in Syracuse. 

The sea was extremely rough and the ship listed sideways. The waves began to flood the ship and the sailors formed a line to empty buckets of water into the sea. The chairs, tables, glassware, bottles etc. in the restaurant came crashing to the floor. 

The few passengers were called on deck in their nightwear and most were feeling sick and worried. We were all assembled on the top deck where we were shown how to wear the life belts.  An SOS was sent by the captain to ships nearby asking to transfer the passengers because there was an imminent danger of sinking. 

The Star of Malta had moved to Capo Passero for shelter from the rough seas after the engine was stalling. After some hours they managed to solve the trouble and the ship limped to Syracuse where we arrived safely after spending two anxious nights and three days at sea.  

I would appreciate any information about this terrible incident. I am not sure if it was reported in the Times of Malta. This happened two years before the ship hit a reef at Dragonara.