THE WRECK OF THE MERKSWORTH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1367, 12 May 1898, Page 33

THE WRECK OF THE MERKSWORTH.

TERRIBLE STORY OP A SURVIVOR.

Sydney, May 9. John Johansen, one of the survivors of the tells a terrible story. On Friday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, the engine-room skylight was smashed, and the water rushed into the engine-room. The pumps and buckets were kept constantly going, but the fires were put out. At 1 o'clock on Saturday morning the whole of the crew took to the lifeboat. It was partly swamped in launching. They were then somewhere near Morna Point, tie steamer having got6o miles out of her course.

As soon as they got clear of the steamer the lifeboat swamped. All hands clung to her. In about half an hour they lost the cook and Anderson. During the night Campbell and George, firemen, died in the boat from exhaustion and exposure, and later on Captain Mitchell . and Binstead died. The bodies were thrown overboard.

At daylight on Saturday morning only five were left in the boat. At this stage four of them went overboard for short intervals, leaving the second engineer, who could not swim, to bail her out. It took about two hours to get her bailed out. They sighted land at Morna Point, and the boat was drifting quickly towards the land, but when nearing the shore it capsized in the breakers. Toe second engineer disappeared, and was drowned. ""r^; The chief officer (Mr Mclndoe) was also lost sight of, hub it 13 ju3t possible that he got ashore at some other point. The three remaining men Vankin?, Scott and Johansen—reached the beach safely, very much exhausted, and almost lifeless. Eventually they were found by some settlers.

Johansen further states that during the night the lifeboat turned bottom upwards several times, but no other lives were lost in that way except those of the cook and Anderson, who were drowned when the craft first swamped. / Vankin, Scott and Johansen lay on the beach for some hours completely exhausted. Johansen took to the scrub for shelter, and then went for help, his mates being unable to accompany him. He got bushed about midnighl, and when he again found his bearings he was on the beach some miles nearer Newcastle than where they were washed ashore. He went back to the bush and slept. Yesterday morning some settlers found the party and gave assistance. Nothing definite is known about the fate of Mclndoe. OTHER VESSELS LOST. Sydney, May 9. The Maitland was insured in the South British office for .£BOOO, and the Merksworth in the same office for .£2050. The schooner [ Philip Palfrey is ashore at Trial Bay and is breaking up, while the tug John Oollan is ashore at Harrington. The crews have been saved.

The ship Hereward, which went ashore at Maronbra, has been driven further ashore, and the chances of saving the vessel are not bright.