THREE DEATHS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21876, 11 August 1934, Page 11

THREE DEATHS

ferry BOAT SUNK

all victims women

NEWCASTLE DISASTER

PROMPT RESCUE WORK

PATHETIC INCIDENTS

By Telerraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 10. 9.45 p.m.) SYDNEY. August 10 The ferry steamer Bluebell, plying between Newcastle and Stockton, sank one minute after her collision with the steamer Wftrraneen in Newcastle Harbour late last night. The passengers of the Bluebell numbered about 40. Three women were drowned. They wer? Mesdames Annie Kerr, aged 60, Isabel le Frew, aged 40 (whose bodies have b?en found), and Gladys Bignall. Mrs. Bignall's body has not been re-

covered. Rescue work was undertaken so speedily that the police think everyone else was saved. Passengers on the upper deck of the Bluebell saved themselves bv jumping on to the Warraneea, but about 30 on the lower deck of the ferry boat were thrown into the water. i There were scenes of panic and confusion on the Bluebell when the lights were extinguished. Those in the cabin broke the windows and escaped. The two vessels stayed locked together for about 30 seconds after the impact, but when they separated the Bluebell, apparently badly holed, lurched over and sank. Rescue launches were quickly on the scene and their crews lifted the dazed people on board. A man and a child were admitted to hospital, the latter in a serious condition. Nineteen othei'B were treated for shock and immersion. Survivors' stories emphasise the suddenness with which the ferryboat sank amid women's screams and frantic appeals to save their babies. One mother said that, although she could not swim a stroke before, she found she was able to swim sufficiently to keep afloat :until she was rescued. A woman who was reported missing returned to her home later. An inquiry into the collision was opened at Newcastle to-day.

SHIPPING WARNED THE SUNKEN WRECK POSITION AND HOW MARKED [by TELEGRAPH —PR'SSS association] WELLINGTON, Friday The New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department has received the following broadcast warning: "The sunken wreck of the ferry steamer Bluebell lies approximately south 10 degrees east true. 700 ft. from Horseshoe buoy, Newcaistle harbour. Each extremity of the wreck is marked by a green buoy in the daytime and a, red globular light by night."