A Sensational Experience.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7790, 15 March 1904, Page 5

A Sensational Experience.

Received March 15, 9:10 a.m. BRISBANE, March 15

MacLennan, one of those who was landed by the Aramac's first boat, gives an interesting account of tihe disaster. He says the Aramac struck! at 8.30 in the morning, the weather a t the time 'being rough and squally with a thicl.t haze. She appeared to bump and their move forward. After a third or fourth concussion she moved forward as if nothing had happened.

There was no oanic at all. A trifling commotion took place when some of the stokers rushed on deck, but they returned again almost immediately 'everything seemed all right.

The passengers- (were naturally alarmed -at first, but everything being apparently the same as usual they went to breakfast as if nothing had happened.

It transpired afterwards that instructions had been issued to tho stewards to get all the passengers out of their bunks in case or emergency. It must have been icmite two hours afterwards before 'there was any further alarm.

The vessel, meanwhile, was continuing her course. However, the captain realised the danger in endeavouring to run to a ' place of safety when, at a point somewhere about 20 or 25 miles from Burnett Heads, tbe vessel came to a standstill. She had been slowing down for some time. This was causedl by the water gradually overtaking the fires until it put all out.

The time had _rrived whon the position could no longer be- concealed from the passengers. Shortly before twelve o'clock tha boats nvere got out. Kverytfaing was clone very quietly .and methodically, without any excitement. The passengers, .'including the women, maintained a splendid fortitude. This helped materially"towards a safe embarkation, i ". . '

The captain supervised the work. The first step was to apportion the women and children as equally as possible among the several boats. They were placed in their seats-be-fore the boats were lowered. With the heavy sea running- the task of embarking was difficult, but was successfully managed.

Tho 'boats were brought to the lee side, and as they rose- wit£i the waves the men jumped in. Before thiey were lowered a .quantity of provisions and water were placed in each.

When the first boat received her complement she cast off to make room Tor the others, and with the strong wind and heavy seas, which were prevailing, drifted a long- Wa y to the leeward. The captain,• however, had issued instructions that the boats should keep together and get away one at a time. In pursuance ol this order they managed to get back to the ship and saw that tlie captain, several of the crew, and the first officer had remained on board. The was let go ar»d rafts were thrown out. The ship, at that time, appeared to be lying very low and heavy in the water. Far. the second officer, navigated the boat successfully and without accident until they got into smooth water, when she was ! carried away. By that time, (however, all danger was passed. A good deal of bailing „ a _ to-bo done on the run a nd some discomlovt suffered through the seas amd exposure. Received March 15, 10.10 a m BUNDABEKG, March 15 . It is| not definitely known whether five or six boats left the Aramac. The return of search steamera which are making a systematic examination.of the coast is anxiously awaited. There ure - hopes that some' boats will be picked up ihy passing steamers. The opinion among the officers who have landed is that the Aramac will float until aid reaches her. When last seen- the captain and others were launching a raft and apparently providing a means of escape in the event of the worst hapjiening.

Received March .15, 10.10 a.m.BfJNDABERG, March 15. A second boat reached shore at North Barubra Island. It had a' severe tossing about, all the occupants being much exhausted. They canned the night wh,ore they landed. The sea last night was still rough and stormy. Received March 15, 12.8 p m ■ BRISBANE, March 15. The Aramac's third -boat landed at Baffle Creek, 20 miles »orth of Burnett Heads. The occupants were mostly women and children.

Received March 15, 1.29 p.m.' BRISBANE, March 15. With reference to the finding- of

the Aramac's third.boat, the dredge Cei'atddus,. which was dispatcho_ to search-, arrived at Gladstone to-^ay and reports that yesterday- after, noon she sigjhtefi a, "boat on : the beach. Aboxit .twenty passeMgers were campod on the shore four miles from a settlement. The Ceratodus being short of provisions aad coal was unable to proceed to the rescue, while a heavy surf precluded the possibility 0 f an im. mediate rescue, but, in the captain's opinion, the survivors were comfortable; The Cera'todus signalled the party that help was coming arid proceeded to Gladstone to arrange for their rescue.-