VESSEL CAPSIZES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6488, 7 April 1908, Page 5

VESSEL CAPSIZES.

THE STEAMER BEGA PASSENGERS AND CREW TAKE TO BOATS. ONE LIFE LOST. By Telegraph—Tress Association—Copyright (Received April 6, 5.13 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 6. Tho Hlawarra Company’s stoamor Begn capsized during Inst night off Tatlira Head, on the south coast of Now South Wales.

It is believed that all aboard landed safely on the coast, but ono passenger is reported to have died. Tho Bcga left Tatlira at 7 o’clock last night eu route for Sydney with a, largo cargo, including a large number of live stock.

Two hours after departure, when four miles off tho land, tho vessel began to fill with water, owing, it is believed, to her cargo shifting, and gradually canting by tho head, she capsized. The passengers and crow, numbering altogether between seventy and eighty, succeeded in launching tho boats and a raft.

During the excitement a passenger mn.od David Clarke collapsed and expired. Two boats landed during tho night at Cuttogee. Later tho raft was washed ashore at Wallagoot, after drifting seven'hours. All aboard wore well. At tho time of the disaster the weather was fine, except that a misty, rain w'as falling. There was a light wind.

Relief Iras been sent to the shipwrecked, who saved only the clothes in which they stood. A relief steamer has been despatched from Bermagua U) pick them up. The Bega was in charge of Captain Bishop, ono of tho company’s most trusted officers.

The steamer was loaded' and manned by non-unionists. On receipt of the nows the joint executive of the Strike Committee passod a resolution of sympathy with the company in ito loss. THE BBGA’S CARGO. VESSEL INSURED FOR £SOOO. (Received April 7, 0.68. a.m.) SYDNEY, April 6. The Boga’s cargo included a number of blood horses and other stock for the Sydney show. Sho also carried two thousand pounds' worth of bullion. When it was discovered that there •was a strong list to starboard distress signals wore shown, but they failed to attract notice. The Bega was insured' for £6OOO.

The niawarra. and South Coast Steam Navigation Company’s steamer Been, of. 667 tons, was built by Bueecll and Co.. Grocnoclt, In 1833. SUo was commanded by Captain S. Bishop. She was a steel twin-screw vessel.