THE YONGALA DISASTER.

Northern Advocate, 11 April 1911, Page 3

THE YONGALA DISASTER.

FORMER REEF TRAGEDY RECAL-

LED.

LOSS OF THE GOTHENBURG,

The disaster to the Yongala recalls a wreck in the same locality on Wednesday, February 24, 1575, when the steamer 'Gothenburg was driven by a storm on to the reef and became a total wreck, with the loss of 102 lives.

The Gothenburg was of 741 tons, and was bound for Adelaide from Port

Darwin, carrying passengers, mails, and a general cargo that included 3000 oz. of gold. Captain R. G. A. Pearce was in command. She was running under both steam and sail before an increasing gale, in which she rolled heavily. Suddenly the rolling ceased, and the passengers were just congratulating themselves on the fact when the Gothenburg ran on to a reef 40 miles north-east of Port Denison, and 28 miles N.N.E. of Cape Upstart. Sails were at once taken in, and the passengers all ordered aft. Attempts to refloat the vessel failed, and a gale of such severity was blowing that further disaster came upon the travellers before the boats could be brought into use. The steamer swung round broadside on to the reef, and the heavy seas swept her decks, washing off sheep, dogs, and everything not fast on the deck. The port boats had already been lost in a vain endeavor to reach the btarboard side, and the starboard boats were swinging in the davits, containing food and water, ready to receive the women and children, but the ship heeled over so much that the boats could not be lowered. Shortly after daylight she went over more, and the sea washed right over her, clearing all the passengers off her, Mr Justice Wearing was the first man who was washed over. Mr Dunrand, French Consul, and agent for the vessel, had got his money under his arm. He said he would go on the mainmast, but as he got in the rigging the sea carried him over with the others. At the time the sea came over there were about 50 people in the boat. The boats were washed into the water amongst the men. Both boats were turned over at once through the passengers rushing them. Five men and one woman got on the keel of one, but the women was taken

off and was drowned. The men succeeded in righting the boat again, but having no oars they drifted away.

In the meantime 14 people had succeeded in reaching the mast. One of the boats that capsized was fast by the painter to the davit. The 14 people lashed themselves to the masts,, and icmained there during that day and night, the rain pouring, and blowing a gale, until Sunday morning, when the boat was bailed out and the party started for the mainland. Finding that the mainland could not be made, the party made for an island that was seen to the leeward. On arrival there, four of the seamen who had left the ship the night she struck were found. The place abounded with fish, birds, and eggs. The party stopped there for cne day to repair the boat, and started to make another island further south, when the group fell in with one of the Port Denison boats looking for them. The party arrived in Bowen the same evening. The Bowen people had sent out three boats to look for the missing passengers and crew, and the Townsville people sent the steamer Bunyip. One of the Bowen steamers, the Leichhardt, picked up a boat containing four of the men. Proceeding to the scene of the wreck, the captain discovered her sank nearly to the eyes of the lower rigging. The funnel was gone, and the foremast toppling. A boat's crew was sent to search the rigging, but not ? living soul was found, the only relics left being part of a lady's shawl, a comforter, and a straw mattress hanging to one of the yardarms. EYom the masthead of the Leichhardt an anxious look-out for other boats was kept, but not a. sign of them was seen. The captain and eight of the crew were happily found on tho island, and were taken aboard the Leichhardt. Later on the steamer Bunyip picked up three men on Holborne Island. The Gothenburg finally settled down ir. three fathoms of water. Mcst of the officers, stewards, and engineers were lost.