SHIPPING CASUALTIES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3261, 19 October 1897, Page 3

SHIPPING CASUALTIES.

■WRECK OFF THE N.S.W. COAST. By Telegraph.—Frets Association. — Copyright. Sydney, October 18. The Kamernka struck at midnight ISO yards from the shore on a rooky point. The night was clear and starlight. After several attempts to get lines aboard Captain Sutherland, of Moruya, showing great bravery, plunged into the sea, but was washed back in an unconscious condition after a gallant struggle. Eventually, at daybreak, a line was got ashore from the wreck.

The passengers had spent a weary, horror-stricken night, clinging about the decks, while they were frequently washed by seas. Both crew and passengers, however, behaved splendidly, the women especially showing great coolness. As soon as communication was established a cradle was rigged, and the passengers one by one were brought safely ashore. Hundreds of people gathered on the beach, assisting. When the vessel struck the shock was so severe that it threw many passengers out of their bunks, several being severely bruised.

Captain Hersio was pitched from the bridge and sustained a severe injury to the head, and was taken in an unconscious state to the hospital. One account states that after the failure of all other attempts to send a line ashore the pigs, of which the cargo partly consisted, wore utilised. Some of the animals with signal halliards made fast swam to land. The vessel is full of water, and lies in a dangerous position. She will probably break up. She is only partly insured. The passengers escaped with only wbat they stood up in. LOSS OP A SPANISH STEAMER.

200 PEOPLE DROWNED. Madrid, October 16. News has been received that the Spanish steamer Triton, bound from Havana to Bahia, Hoiida and Cuba, has been wrecked oft the northern coast of Cuba. The purser of the vessel and one passenger have been saved, but it is feard that 200. passengers and Spanish soldiers have been drowned. Received October 18,10 p.ra. Havana, October 17. The steamer Triton, which was wrecked off Cuba, was heavily laden, her lower deck being only a few feet above the water. For some reason her engines stopped, and a strong current drove the vessel ashore. ■ j The shock awoke the passengers, .who rushed the boats, which wore crushed to pieces against the steamer’s side. Many of. those on board plunged into the sea when they saw the boats disabled. London, October 17. A telegram to Lloyds states that 200 poisons were drowned in the wreck of the Triton. .