WOMEN'S PLUCK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 78, 4 April 1910, Page 7

WOMEN'S PLUCK.

WRECK OF THE PERICLES. ANOTHER STATEMENT BY CAPTAIN SIMPSON. 1 "EVERYBODY BEHAVED SPLENDIDLY." By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright, (Received April 4, 10 a.m.) FREMANTLE, 3rd April. Captain Simpson, in a further interview, said the PeTides was steaming about fourteen knots when the disaster occurred. The weather was fine. There was a fairly heavy swell. He and the second mate were on the bridge taking bearings. Everything seemed absolutely, normal and correct. According to tba chart the vessel should have been in perfectly safe water. He was following the same route he had taken for years. "I felt one violent shock," he said.. "That was all. J think wo struck a knob of rock, and the force of the impact carried it away ; otherwise the vessel would haye — but did not — strike aft. The steamer was continuing to travel ahead- Though the bulkheads were, closed immediately and the pumps started, that availed nothing. There was a big inrush of water. A steamer passed not far away, but failed to notice ouii signals of distress. "Everybody behaved splendidly. Th» maxim, 'The women and children, ficafc,^ was studiously respected. Everything' went off as smoothly as clockwork." The captain added that he could not. too highly praise the women for theil) pluck and conduct generally. OFFICERS AND CREW. RESOURCEFULNESS AND FORK-. THOUGHT. HIGH "PRAISE. (Received April 4, 8.30 a.m.) FREMANTLE, This Day. The Pericles's passengers speak in high terms of praise of the resourcefulness and forethought of Captain Simpson and his officers and crew. Immediately, after the striking soundings were taken, the bulkhead doors closed, the. pomps started, signals of distress hoisted, and preparations made for getting out tha boats. Tho captain's orders were- promptly, obeyed. There was no confusion and no panic. PASSENGEBs' RETURNING TQ THEIR" HOMES. WRECK IN ABOUT 25 FATHOMS OF WATER. LITTLE PROSPECT OF SALVAGE,. (Received April 4, 10.30 a.m.) FREMANTLE, This Day, About thirty of the Pericles's passed* gers are returning to their homes in preference to completing the voyage to England. The wreck lies in about twenty-five fathoms of water. There is little prospect of salvage. THE CASTAWAYS. ARRIVAL AT FREMANTLE. .WARM WELCOME. FREMANTLE, 3rd April. The steamer Monaro, with the Per* ides' castaways, arrived yesterday afternoon. A great gathering on the wharf warmly welcomed them. All were cheerful, though some were scantily attired. •Temporary arrangements have been made for their accommodation. The Mayoress of Perth has called a meeting in the Town Hall to-morrow to arrange for supplying clothing and necessaries to those requiring assistance. Thanksgiving services were held in the various churches to-day, to which the castaways were- invited. Many attended. There was a picturesque and impressive scene afc Flinders Bay prior to their embarkation for Fremantl*. A clergyman drove over from Karridale, and conducted a thanksgiving service on the jetty.