LOSS OF KANOWNA

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 41, 20 February 1929, Page 9

LOSS OF KANOWNA

THE CAPTAIN'S STORY

WEATHER VERY THICK

UNABLE TO SEE LIGHT

Onlted Presi Association—B7 Eiectrte Ttl*

erapb Copyright

(Eeeeived 20th February, 1 p.m.)

MELBOURNE, This Day.

Captain Newberry, master of the lost steamer Kanowna, states that from 8 o'clock onward on. Sunday evening the weather was so thick that it was impossible to see the light on Wilson's Promontory. He understood that some passengers had claimed to have seen the light, but what they saw was probably a light on the steamer Mackarra, which had just Tteen passed.

; After the Kanowna struck, %he floated again, almost immediately, but it was found that water was entering the engine room. The ship's gear was in 'good order and handled in an efficient and seamanliko manner. The port boats could not be lowered because the ship was listing so heavily. The crew's quiet expeditious.performance of their task reassured tho passengers and prevented anything like a panic. The ! fact that tho passengers were safely transferred to the Mack'arr within an hour was proof of. this.

The captain and some of the crew stayed aboard the Kanowna till it was evident sho was settling down. They then took to the boats and boarded the Duniosa, which had arrived. Later he went aboard tho Kanowna again and examined her and some preparations were made on the Dumosa to tow the stricken ship, but it became apparent that the case was hopeless, and he and the skeleton crew returned to tho collier. The Kanowna sank shortly afterwards.

Passengers state that when the Kanowna struck the sea thereabouts was comparatively calm,'which made rescue efforts , fairly simple.' Everybody climbed down slippery rope ladders to the lifeboats. A 1 couple of men fell into the water, and one heavy man was rescued by Alec. Nikitin, the ship's' apprentice, of. C'hristchurch, .New" Zealand. ■■.....'

The Mackarra stood two. hundred and fifty yards off and it was just possiblo to see her. through the fog. Many women passengers were in great fear. A prospective bride lost £400 worth of articles in her "glory box." The Kanowna sank in soventy fatboin3 of water.