SHIPPING DISASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 291, 7 December 1900, Page 2

SHIPPING DISASTER.

CAPSIZE OF THE LODORE.

Details of the casualty to the barque Lodore in Newcastle Harbour show that she was moored in what is locally known an the steamers' channel, and was awaiting1 her turn to load a cargo of coal for the Avest coast of South America. At about 4 o'clock last, Monday afternoon a violent thunderstorm, accompanied by severe southerly .squalls, passed over the district, but no damage to the shipping- in port was anticipated. The Lodore, owing' to her exposed position, received the full force of the tempest. The first sqnall struck her on the port quarter with such force that she heeled over and swung- completely round. Her yards were within a few feet of the water's edge, biit she quickly righted herself. Within the space of less than a quarter of an hour, however, the vessel was struck by a second squall of even greater violence, and with disastrous results. Owing- to her altered position she received the force of the second squall on her starboard bow, and she suddenly capsized with a tremendous crash. Fortunately there was only a" depth of about 12ft or 14ft of. water at the spot- where she. was moored, and upon the tops of her masts reaching the bottom she was prevented from turning "turtle."' The vessel, however, is lying- perpendicular, her decks dipping towards the water's edge, and it Is possible to wa4k alongthe side of the vessel with comparative ease and safety.

The hands on board, thirteen all told, had a miraculous escape, and underwent sensational experiences. Had the masts snapped—and surprise is expressed that they remained intact —the. vessel would inevitably have turned completely bottom upwards, and the chances oil escape from a. watery grave would have been small. , The remainder of the hands were on deck at the time of the accident. They had just completed their day's labour and were engaged in the fore rigging. The capsize was so unexpected and sudden that no time was given for any preparations for escape.' ■* All hands, upon realising- that the vessel was capsizing on her port side, made a rush for the starboard rail, to which they clung. The vessel quickly filled with water. The whole of the poi4holes were open at the time, and the water rushed in from all directions. The cabins were flooded and the water found its way into three holds. By the timethe vessel had settled down the water reached to within about two feet of ttie Coamings of ,-the hatch. The storm is de : scribed as of exceptional severity, and ra?ed for some, time after the disaster. The rescue of the distressed mariners

was effected by the harbourmaster, j Captain Xewton! who luckily happened j to be at the Dyke at the time with; his steam launch., the Jlorossa. As soon as the news of the capsize reached ! the Dyke Captain Newton put off for thts seene1 of the disaster, and within a ! space of iiiteeu minutes was alongside ; (he Lodore. The crew scrambled along that' portion- of the rigging which re* inained.above the surface of the water into the boats. As no immediate danger was then feared the second mate and two of the apprentices we're left on board to protect property.