THE FATAL COLLISION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 772, 17 December 1886, Page 25

THE FATAL COLLISION.

SEBIOUS LOSS OF LIFE,

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

(reuter’s telegrams.)

Sydney, December 9.

The Keilawarra’s crew numbered 35 all told. Tlie total loss of life amounts to 43, made up as follows :—Twentyfive passengers of the Keilawarra, the captain, and eleven of the crew, and six of the crew of the Helen Nicoll. All the mates and engineers of the Keilawarra were saved. Among the passengers . who were drowned was Mrs Wilson, of Brisbane, daughter of Madame Carandini, the well-known vocalist. Me Grade, the Yictorian jockey, was also drowned. Sydney, December 9.

It is feared that both Mr. and Mrs Wilson have perished with the wreck of the Keilawarra. The steamer Australasian is bringing the Helen Nicoll to Sydney. The steamers Lawrence aud Game Cock have gone to meet them, and it is expected that they will arrive to-morrow morning. Sydney, December 10.

The Mr John Macdonald drowned in the Keilawarra was a brother of Mr Macdonald, manager of the Union Bank at Nelson, and Miss Calder was a daughter of Captain Calder, of the Keilawarra.

The Schepper family, who were all lost, had but recently returned from Germany, aud were proceeding to Maryborough. The Chamber of Commerce has voted an address of sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.

Later.

The steamer Helen Nicoll arrived herefrom Trial Bay this morning with her passengers. A. great crowd met her at the wharf, and much excitement prevailed. The Keilawarra was struck amidships, close to the engines, aud retreat from the saloon was thus cut off.

It now appears that the passenger named Mrs Wilson, who was drowned, was not a daughter of Madame Carandini, as at first stated.

The Captain Calder referred to in last telegram is captain of the steamship Victoria, not Keilawarra.

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

Sydney, December 10.

The greater number of the Keilawarra’s passengers, who were brought to Sydney this morning by the Helen Nicoll, were in a most exhausted condition. Heartrending scenes took place at the wharf on the arrival of the vessel. From the statement of the survivors it appears that at the time the eollison took place the weather was rather hazy, though up to that time the weather had been clear. The collision is described as something terrible, the wildest confusion prevailing on both vessels, and the ladies on board the Keilawarra running about iu a state of perfect bewilderment. 7 A boat was lowered from the Keilawarra, but was instantly rushed and went down with twenty people in it, several of whom failed to regain the ship. When that vessel sank most heartrending cries were raised, as the Keilawarra was thought to be the safer vessel. When the ships parted many of those aboard the Helen Nicoll attempted to jump on board the Keilawarra, but failed to reach her. Those who lost their lives on board the Helen Nicoll were crushed to death while asleep in their bunks.

Later.

No one on board either vessel appears to have seen the approaching lights, bub when the situation was grasped the passengers .aboard the Keilawarra behaved in the most frantic manner, and a distressing scene took place, women and children shrieking with fear. A number of men rushed the boats heedless of the captain, who cried -shame on th Q ir cowardice. The total loss of life amounts to 41. It now appears that Mr,not Mrs, Wilson hasbeen drowned. Sydney, December 12.

No traces have yet been found of the bodies of those drowned in the Keilawarra. A boat belonging to that vessel has been picked up.

Sydney, December 14.

Two bodiee from the wreck of the Keilawarra have been recovered, and a quantity of wreckage.