AND THE SHIP SAILS ON

July 1914. The ocean liner "Gloria N." is about to sail from the port of Naples. It will be carrying the ashes of a famous opera singer, to be scattered at sea, according to her wishes. The ship is filled with opera singers, orchestra conductors and musicians who wish to accompany their idol on her final journey. The stench of a rhinoceros, that is travelling in the ship's hold, wafts up on deck. Later on, the animal will be lifted up by ropes onto the bridge, where it will be washed. The ship will pick up Serb refugees from Sarajevo, and when one of them throws a bomb at an Austrian battleship, the "Gloria N." will be bombarded and sunk.