THE ZENOBIA DISASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 225, 28 September 1897, Page 3

THE ZENOBIA DISASTER.

DREADFUL SUFFERINGS.

KIMBER'S TALE.

A special representative of the Brisbane "Courier" had an interview with Arthur lumber, survivor of the Zenobia, at Noosa. Kirnber stated that on Wednesday afternoon, after passing over Caloundra bar and getting- into deep water, the centreboard carried away. It was blowing stiff from the south-east at the time. When about eight or ten miles from Caloundra a nasty squall came up from the south-west and struck the boat. Owing to the main sheet not running free she reeled over and capsized, turning bottom upwards. All but the lad Harry clambered on to the keel, lumber swam to the child, and after some difficulty got him safely on the boat. After they had been clinging to the boat an hour a steamer passed within a mile and a half of them, but though all coo-eed and shouted together, they failed to attract attention. Kimber states that he had strong hopes of being picked up; the others, however, gradually lost all heart. By their combined exertions the boat was righted, the mast snapping off close to the deck. All got into the boat and passed a line right round to secure themselves. All through the night they huddled close together for warmth, and kept singing out to one another for companionship sake. Fred Slawson and the child died during the night, and the bodies of both were cast into the water. At daylight on Thursday McConnell came close to Kimber with a pocket knife in his hand, but Kimber wishes emphatically to contradict the false statement that he tried to stab him. No such statement was made by him. Both McConnell and MeCabe appeared to have lost heart, and tried to jump overboard. McConnell, however, died in Kimber's arms shortly after MeCabe succeeded n jumping overboard. Then William Slawson, heartbroken at seeing one after another drop off, rested his head on Kimber's shoulder and died. By this time it was late on Thursday evening. Kimber was now the only one of the six living. Being unable to bear the sight of the dead bodies, he cast them all away. On Friday morning the boat drifted within about a mile of land, but went out again, and the day passed and night set in again without the faintest hope of rescue. Nexl morning the boat drifted into the Lag-ura Bay, near Noosa Heads, but again went out with the current. Finally she grounded on the beach four miles from the Heads at about 10 a.m. on Sunday. After landing- lumber says he went to sleep. On Monday morning with great difficulty lie reached Moreton's house in a terrible state. When found his hands, feet, and face were fearfully sunburnt and swollen, his eyes starting- out of their sockets. At latest accounts he was progressing favourably.