STORY OF A WRECK

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6490, 9 April 1908, Page 5

STORY OF A WRECK

THE BEGA MISHAP

EXCITING EXPERIENCES IN THE' BOATS. NO FOOD o®, WATER. By Teleeraph—Press Association—CopyrlcM SYDNEY, April 8. Further news is to hand regarding the capsizing of the Illawarm Company's steamer Bcga, which resulted in one death through shook. It took the Boga’s boots thirteen hours to effect a landing. The boats wore connected with each other by a line. One of them, containing women and children, had to be baled out eon-: tinuously, owing to a plug being left out, and inability to discover the aperture in the darkness and through tlio crowded condition of the boat. The women used their shoes and hats as halers. There were no rowlocks in this boat, which had to bo taken in tow by another—a heavily-laden one. . ANGRY SCENE. Cries went up from the women’! boat that they were sinking. Them two or three men in the towing boat demanded that the line dhould he out. Feeling ran high, and an angry scene followed. The towing boat was also ■taking in a good deal of water. A passenger named Sharp) who was sitting in the stem, was bandied a knife and asked to cut the line, but he threw the knife into the sea. No food or water had been placed in the boats, and the occupants suffocaT much from thirst.

Four seamen of the Bega behaved splendidly. They took the oars on leaving the steamer, and newer cowed pulling for twelve hours. , When nearing the breakers the ten* locks were passed to the boat which 1 was in tow, and the rope was severed. Combing breakers bore both craft up on the beach, where they but in safety.

A FORLORN, TATTERED; PARTY. Sere a touching scene was enacted. There was a forlorn, tattered party of women, hatlees and bootless, one dad in a nightdress, the others but halfclad, all fatigued and drenched to the skin, their minds wearied by the anxiety of the wreck and 1 the perilous journey and horror of the soon© when it was proposed by some cravens to out them loose, to drift helpless, perhaps to eternity. All this had worn them out, hut they formed into a group—mothers with little babies in their arms, .children clinging round their skirts—and stood on the lonely seashore, where they sang two hymns of thanksgiving to Him who holds the son in the hollow of His hand, who had led them in safety. There was not a dry eye present; it was a reaction that followed a night .full of incidents, alarm, and danger. DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS.

INTERVIEW WITH THE OHEEF OFFICER. BOATS SUPPLIED WITH ALL NECESSARIES. BRAVE WOMEN AND CHILDREN. (Received April 8, 0.14 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 8. Captain Davie*, who was aotingi. chief officer on the Bega, m inter! viewed on arrival at Sydney in refer* enoe to the reports that have been air! dilated!

Captain Davie* bad charge of the 'boat which the women were in. Ha deoares the boat* were fitted wiihi everything neoeaeary- He'dense* that ■one 'boat was without rowlocks,, and that the plug was out.

Passengers 'by the 'boat wMdhi tonwad the women’s boat oonfinm the ment that a suggestion was made to out the painter. A seaman made th* suggestion, and produced a but his action was strongly resented by olbcra in the 'boat, who threatened anyone attempting such a thing <*Mi rough treatment. The knife w taken from the owner, bat-wea aOaB weird* returned to him.

All pay tributes to the-wißlu —> bravery of the women. FURTHER ILL-DUCK. RELIEF STEAMERS MaAHOBD. SYDNEY, April & The steamer PeterbareoEh, wMA was bringing part of the Begja’e <**t! awaye to Sydney, put into KSoma dik abled, an accident having ooomnwd to her air-pump. - , Tiie castaways on the landed at Kiama. The remainder of the shipwrecked passengers and orew made the Sourner to Sydney by train. ,

The steamer Ooomondcrry, which was sent to the relief of the ciurtawnyl who left the Peterborough, met with on accident to her engines, and wm delayed several hours.