WRECKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 23 December 1913, Page 5

WRECKS

CHTXESE STEAMER STRIKES A REEF. " (Paras Association. —Copyright.) PEKTSr, Dec. 22. The Chinese Navigation Company's steamer Takyu was wrecked on Saturday, and it is believed that over 170 persons, mostly copjies, were drowned. The vessel struck a sunken rock <~'fi Reef Island late at night. Next morning a Japanese patrol boat and two tenders came to her assistance, and found that the Takyui had a strong list. The passengers, mostly coolies, were crowded on the fore part, which was tilted in the air. Owing to the heavy sea running they were unable to give assistance. After banging against the rock til mibl-day the doomed vessel slipped into the sea and disappeared. Six people •were subsequently rescued, nearly dead from exposure, from the island. The master of the Takyui, Captain Thoresen, states that after the ship struck the engines were kept going in order to keep the vessel on the rock. Orders were issued to. launch the liieboats, but crowds of .panic-stricken coolies xushedahenf/ making it impossible to move them froin the chocks. The Takyui continued to pound on the rocks, and filled with water. Then she slipped into deep water. M.inv shriekina coolies were quicklv swallowed up in the raging gea, and 36* persons, including the captain and another European, managed to gain the island safely. The captain, chief officei. quartermaster and a steward made a raft and were driven ashore, where they almost perished from exposure and hunger. RELIEF OF MAROONED PARTY. SYDNEY. Dec. 22. Preparations are bein<r made to despatch the French gunboat Zeelee to Pslmerston Island to rescue the castaways from the French barque Labour d'Auvercrne. The French Consul has also communicated with New Caledonia with a view to the despatch of a relief vessel from there.