THE SYDNEY STORM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2308, 26 May 1898, Page 9

THE SYDNEY STORM.

TEKRIBLE SHIPWRECKS.

MANY LIVES LOST.

HARROWING DETAILS.

(From Oob Own Correspondent.) Melbourne, Msy \l, The fears entertained in Sydney that the terrific storm at the close of last week would

prove fatal to some of the vessels which had to

brave it were, unfortunately, realised. It was, perhaps, tbo most severe and loDg-continued storm which has ever been known on the coast. On Thursday' evening the velocity of the wind reached 57 miles an hour, and the same velocity was again reached on Friday afternoon. The direction was from the south and south-west, and terrific rain storms were an accompaniment throughout. LOSS OF THE SHIP HERB WARD.

.The first definite news of tbe disaster was

received in Sydney on Friday morning. The : ship, Hereward,, of 1593 tons, on her voyage '' from the -Dutch Easfr Indies to- Newcastle for ; coal, went during^'the previous njght a few .miles 'jborthiof, Sjdney Harbour, and'afour \ milea £of the famous seaside resort "of '- Copgee,? .When the -vessel wenb ashore"' the ' rain was pouring in torrent?, and. the haze was ' so thick that^'noue'of 'the -watch could see a

ship's length ahead. The order had been given to wear ship, ' and ihe crew were engaged in

carrying ib oub when the Hereward suddenly -paid' off and struck a reck in deep *val,cr. She then drifted iuafaore,- and before thot>a on board had time to realise their position had taken the beach. Providentially, 'the ship bad struck one of the very few pandy pat chea to be found betwt.en Sydney and Botany Bay Heads. How'narrow.was her escape may be judged from the fact that withiu 30f b .of the stern and 25?b

of tbe bow aro great' rocks, against which eae would have been t mashed to iragineats. It ??as decided to attempt to land ar-d the crew were joyfully surprised to find that land was oLly a tew yards away. A line was at once pissed atoard, and the crew of 25'alliold were tak^n ashore, a'l befng"lande& by 3 o'clock. , ----- --