TERRIBLE SHIPWRECK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 744, 4 June 1886, Page 25

TERRIBLE SHIPWRECK.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS) Sydney, May 31. News has come to hand this morning of a serious marine disaster which occurred on the New South Wales coast last night. The steamer Ly-ee-Moon, 1200 tons, belonging to the Australian Steam Navigation Company, which, left Melbourne for Sydney on Saturday evening, had proceeded as far as Green Cape, a little to the northward of Cape Howe, when she struck on an outlying point, and beeame a wreck. The particulars to hand are only of a meagre nature, but so far as can be learned only 15 persons were saved. Melboubne, May 31.

News is to hand by telegraph from the lighthouse-keeper on Gabo Island, stating that the steamer Ly-ee-Moon, bound from Melbourne to Sydney, struck on a reef near Green Cape, at 9 o’clock last night, and has completely broken up. The following passengers were booked for Sydney by the Ly-ee-Moon on Saturday :—Mesdames Mclntyre, Ellis, H. Adams and family, Gardner, Coghill, McKillop, Campbell, child and infant, Jennings, and Hamilton, Misses Hamilton, Bev W. Poole, Messrs A. Smith, W. Johnstone, D. C. Harris, K. Cox, E. C. Holmes, O. G. Bradlev, A. Graham, A. McGregor, H. Lumsden, John A. Buekley, and 27 steerage. The following are the names ot the Baved passengers (five), namely: — Rev W. Poole, Messrs Harris, Smith, Lumsden, and Master Henry. Adams. Crew saved includes captain, first officer (names not given) ; Hutchinson, second; Fotheringham, third ; Thomson, ehief steward; Thorpe, boatswain ; Robertson, carpenter ; seamen McNalley, Johnston, Burgland, and Tyrrel. Farther details show that the Ly-ee-Moon struck on a reef close under the lighthouse at 9.30 p.m. yesterday. The loss of life is estimated at fully 70 persons, and this estimate is confirmed by a message from the special correspondent of the Argus. TJp to the present time no further particulars are to hand. Sydney, May 31, 1.30 p.m. So far as can be ascertained there were 20 saloon passengers drowned from the Ly-ee-Moon besides the crew The total loss of life is expected to reach between 70 or 80.

Melboubne, May 31, 4 p.m. Additional particulars are to hand with reference to the wreck of the Ly--ee-Moon. The wind during Sunday evening was west-south-west, the night being fine and clear and a high sea running. The Ly-ee-Moon passed Cape Howe at 8.15 p.m., a mile distant from the shore, and after rounding the point the course was set due north. Mr Fotheringham, second officer, was in charge of the vessel, and the eaptain ordered him to call him when nearing the Green Cape light. Upon the captain being called he found the vessel was heading straight for the reef, and she was so close to the shore that it was impossible to avoid the danger. Within ten minutes of the ship’s striking she parted amidships, the afterpart remaining stationary on the reef, while the forepart drifted shorewards, the seas making, a complete breach over both portions of the vessel. All those who were saved were in the forepart of the ship, and they were landed with the aid of a rope worked by the lighthouse-keeper and his assistants. The five saloon passengers saved, as well as the members of the crew rescued, were in the forepart of the vessel, the only loss of life from that position being one lady, who perished while attempting to reach the shore, and a youth who died from exposure. The captain was the last to leave the wreck. All the remaining saloon passengers perished, it being impossible to render them any assistance, and at daybreak, the whole of the afterpart of the ship had disappeared. The Green Cape light was showing brightly at the time of the accident. A steamer left Sydney this morning in order to take on those who were saved.

Melboubne, June 1. It is announced that the Australian Steam Navigation Company themselves insured the Ly-ee-Moon. Melboubne, June 1. Mr A. McGregor, who was one of those drowned Dy the sinking of the is stated to be the son of an hotelkeeper at Dunedin.