Loss of the Kapunda.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 89, 16 April 1887, Page 5

Loss of the Kapunda.

FOKTHER DETAILS

The following further details regarding the loss of the Kapunda have been obtained this morning from the survivors on board the Patagonia :- - All had gone well up to the time of the collision. The clew had been exercised in boat drill regularly every week, and the boats were all fully provided with life belts, msfrts, sails, and oars. The vessel sank too quickly, however, to allow of anything IA-mo- done. Immediately tho collision occurred the chief oflicer, who was on deck, .shouted down the hatchway tonroime the passengers. Ho then went forward to ascertain the extent of the damage, and found that the side was entirely crushed in. He fell the vessel sinking, and before he could return aft he was in t he water.

The captain had been on deck immediately before the collision con voicing with the chief officer, and at that time all was goinjj well, nothinjr being visible in tho neighbourhood of the ship.

While the chief oflicer was in tho water he saw about. 3D or 40 pei'sons, including some pap.senfjers, near him, but there were no means of savin" l.heni. The seven men who were rescued Iron; tho water by the boats of the Ada Mchnoro were all Btrong swimmers.

The Ada Melmore sbrnck the Kapunda with such force fchafc. the foretopmasfc and sjiars of the latter came down with the shock, killing many persons on deck. The bows of the Ada Melmore were ent.irelyst.ove in,and she was onlykeptafloat by the collision bulkhead, which prevented the water from reaching the hold and after parts of the vessel. I'hc collision occurred 000 miles from the coast, of Brtuil. The Ada Melmore, alter drifting near the spot for two days, bore up for Maceio, bub the Ulysec, having been sighted on January '2">, the survivors of the Kapunda were transferred to the French barque.

Both the Kapnnda and Ada Melmorc were under full sail at the time of the collision, the sea being smooth, with a fresh breeze. Besides the survivors of the Kapunda, two of the crew of the Ada Melmore are aboard the Patagonia, one of them being reported to be the man who was at the wheel at the time of the collision. The Patagonia sails hence at noon to-day. Slic will call at Bordeaux and sail thence diicct to Plymouth to land her passengers.