Wreck of the Rodondo.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, Issue 17, 12 October 1894, Page 3

Wreck of the Rodondo.

Albj-ny, October 9. i The schooner Grace Darling, from : Israelite Bay, reports that she picked up A a bost containing 12 survivors of the ;* steamer Eodondo, bound from Adelaide to Albany. The Eodondo struck on Pollock Beef, off Cape Arid, at 2 a.m. on Sunday, and became a total wreck. Those in the boat were living for 24 hours on one biscuit and a chop each, The vessel struck in smooth water, floated for 12 hours, and then sank stern , foremost. As far as can be ascertained tbe missing - passengers are Messrs Falls, Parry and Wormwood. The saved number ,160 passengers and 36 of the crew. One passenger lost 300 sovereigns; another shot himself while in the water. After picking up the boat the schooner made for the south-east of the island. At dawn the Eodondo's boat's crew left her to try and bring the survivors from the island, but owing to the heavy sea running they were unable to effect a landing. Tho survivors left the steamer iv seven boats and two rafts. It is marvellous how they got ashore, as the spot scarcely affordß a landing even for seals. In the morning the boats were able to communicate with the schooner. The first to reach her was a boatload of women and children. The officers and crew worked their hardest, and by noon all were safely transferred to tbe schooner. The conduct of the firemen was most disgraceful. When the ship struck they and a number of tho passengers rushed to the boats. Their weight broke down the davits, and all were hurled into the water, some paying the penalty with their lives. The ship's papers were saved. The second officer had the tops of two of his fingers takeo off. The Eodondo was far out of her oourse, which is aocouuted for by a large boiler carried on deck affecting her compasses. Fitzgerald, a passenger, displayed great bravery when tho vessel was wrecked. Singularly the same person was a hero of !-he Gotbenberg disaster. The survivors are now camping at Point Malcolm, awaiting a relief steamer, The captain alleges that four passengers lost their lives through their own rashness in rushing a boat, The survivors suffered severely from exposure,