APPALLING DISASTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 May 1914, Page 5

APPALLING DISASTER

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COLLISION IN KID-ATLANTIC EMPRESS OF IRELAND SINKS. [PER PEESS ASSOCIATION —COPYBIGHT.] QUEBEC, May 29. The Canadian Pacific liner Empress of Ireland is believed to have collided with the Red Star liner Hanover, east of Father Point. A message to the Government says that no sign is visible of either liner or lifeboats is visible. A distance round is being circled by the Government steamer Eureka, which responded to the Empress of Ireland's ''S.O.S." distress calls. The Government steamer Lady Evelyn is standing by. The Empress of Ireland cleared yesterday for Liverpool with 77 first, 266 second, and 50 4third class passengers and a crew of 500. A Salvation Army party was going to the International Congress 1 at London. Both vessels are believed to have sunk. SCENES BAFFLE DESCRIPTION. OVER 1000 PEOPLE DROWNED. SCENES BAFFLE DESCRIPTION. WIRELESS AGAIN TO THE RESCUE.

[PEE PEESS ASSOCIATION —COPI'KIGHT.] (Received this dav at 9 a.m.) OTTAWA, May 29. About 1000 lives are believed to have been lost when the Canadian Pacific steamer Empress of Ireland collided with the Norwegian collier Storstad off Fatherpoint, near Remouski. during a dense fog, sinking in ten minutes after tthe collision. Some 400 of a total of 1400 people comprising the crew and passengers were taken from lifeboats to Remouski by Government steamers standing by. The list is not known, but the pas sengers include Laurence Irving, actor, and a number of New Zealanders. Nothing is known of the fate of the Storstad. Immediately on receipt of S.O.S. signals the Canadian Governnemt steamers Eureka and Lady Evelyn from Furtherpoint hurried to the rescue. SHORT CALL FOR HELP. The early news was barely more than the S.O.S. cal naming the ship and stating that she was in fear of immediately sinking. The absence of a further call is explained by the fact that the vessel sank almost at once. There must have been a terrible shock as the vessel is believed -to have 'heehcut in two. ' '■* * '- 1 : . At earliest dawn boats were seen seen hovering over the spot, but there were no signs of the steamer. MANY COLONIALS DROWNED. The Empress of Ireland carried many Canadian members of the Salvation Army i:o attend the conference in London, including most of the head officials.

The list bt passengers included many Australians and New Zealanders, including Colonel, Mr and Mrs W. R. Blomheld, of Auckland, •'"'Miss C. Townseud, Mr E. Byrne and Mr G. tiyrne, of Brisbane. The steamer left Quebec yesterday with 990 passengers for Liverpool. The scene immediately after the collision baffles description. The shrieks of the 'passengers, rudely awakened from their, slumber, the hoarse cries of (he captain and officers, and the wailing of the women, mingled with the rushing of water into the gull opened up in the boat. There was little time to launch the boats. lire Government steamers Lady Evelyn and Eureka, which immediately steamed /nil speed to the scene of the disaster at Fatherpoint, and sent Government messages reading "No sign.' The Empress of Ireland lifeboats were visible in the distance arching round. The Government steamers Eureka and Lady Evelyn are also on the scene now. The Empress of Ireland had hove to in the fog when the collier struck her amidships. A REMARKABLE FAREWELL. . When she steamed away from Quebec, the brass band of the Salvation Army played "God be with you till we meet again." .The Empress of Ireland was commanded by Captain Kendall, R.N.R., who commanded the Montrose when the murderer Crippen was captured. He is among the saved. The latest reports state that the Storstad was badly damaged about the bow, but is proceeding to Quebec under her own steam. She has on board the survivors and dead bodies from the Empress of Ireland. . She is reported to have rescued 200 passengers.

PATHETIC SCENES. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 29. The majority of the officers and crew of the Empress of Ireland belonged to Liverpool, where distressing scenes were enacted outside the office, which was besieged all day long. 'Prayers were offered at the Salvation Army headquarters for the safety of the missing Salvationists. DROWNED OR KILLED. HUGE TOLL OF HUMAN LIFE. (Received this day at 10.20 a.m.) OTTAWA, May 29. The Canadian Pacific Company admit that only 337 were saved. The total number of passengers was 1367, leaving the remainder either dn wiied or killed by the impact. "THE EMPRESS 07 LIEL.".:C3." A PALATIAL STEAMEII. "The Empress of Ireland'' was a palatial steamship, belonging to the Canadian Pacific Company. It was employed on the Quebec-Liverpool route in summer, and St. John, KB., Halifax, N.S.. -Liverpool route in winter. Length 576 feet, breadth 65 feet, 14,400 tons register, 18,000 horse-power, and made the passage between Liverpool and Quebec in less than a week. Accommodation for 150 first cabin, 150 second cabin, 1000 third class passengers. MANY KILLED. BY FORCE OF COLLISION. (Received this dav at 10.40 a.m.) QUEBEC, May 29. The rescued include Mr. Mrs and Miss Byrne, of Brisbane. Captain Kendall escaped. The fate of Laurence Irving's party is unknown. Many survivors had arms and legs broken. Twelve bodies lie on the wharf at Remouski. They were fatally hurt by the collision, but escaped in lifeboats and died before landing. Wreckage is strewn in the St. Lawrence. The funnels of the Empress of Ireland are visible at low water.

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The Lady Evelyn saved 300 and tha Eureka 60. Most of the members of tha craw , escaped. ' Many passengers leaped into the \?ater and citing' tov thus escaping. "■ ; | !■] ' The Storstad is expected ; to reach Quebec shortly. "'' ':■< A number of survivors and dead bodies aboard is a score. \\\ The prominent Salvation Army officers lost include Mr Rees, South African Commissioner. Twenty-two are reported dead as the result of injuries. ;