LOSS OF THE OVALAU.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11730, 3 November 1903, Page 5

LOSS OF THE OVALAU.

EXPLOSION ON THE VESSEL. ALL HANDS SAVED. BURNS AND FOUNDERS OFF LOxil) HOWE ISLAND. United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY. November 2. News has been received concerning the missing Ovalau. It appears that an explosion took place on the vessel, which caught fire. It was impossible to subdue the flames, and the vessel sank off Lord Howe Island. All the passengers and crew were saved, but throe of the firemen sustained injuries. Messrs Burns, Philp, and Co. have received the following message from Noumea:—"The steamer Pncifique has arrived here. She reports The passengers and crew of the Ovalau safe on Lord Howe Island, where they arrived ou October 19th, with the tore hold alive and burning. During the night an explosion occurred, and the Ovalau sank early on the morning of the 20th."

The Ovalau sank at her anchorage, and is completely submerged. It is believed tho passengers are coining to Sydney by the Pacifique. Later. The Pacifique only stayed at Lord Howe Island sufficiently long to obtain a few details-, as the steamers Captain Cook and Ysabel were to arrive there wim assistance last night, The Ovalau's cargo included 409 tons of copra. THE INSURANCES. (Received November 3rd, 1.6 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 2. The Ovalau was insured for £13,000 in tho North Queensland lu.sura.nce Company, and her cargo for - .UOO in the United, and £2OOO in tho North Queensland. Lord Howe Island is situated in 31deg. 30min. S., and 15Sdeg. IS., and is a dependencv of New South Wales. It is 436 miles north-east of Sydney, and 300 miles from Port Macquarie, the nearest port in Australia. The island has a population of 100. The coast line rises precipitately on all sides to a height of 2810 ft, There is profuse vegetation. The Ovalau formerly belonged to the Union Steamship Company, and used to ran in the Islands trade from Auckland, in conjunction with the Upoln. She was subsequently sold to Burns. Philp, and Co., of Sydney, who have continued to utilise her in their Island trade. She was of 1229 tonnage, and was twelve years old.