OUR MAIL BUDGET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8596, 11 September 1889, Page 3

OUR MAIL BUDGET.

DISASTROUS COLLISION IN THE CHANNEL. A collision of a somewhat remarkable character took place in the English Channel, off the Needles, on the night of Saturday, July 20. The collision occurred in the violent gale which prevailed throughout Saturday night and Sunday between a barque, the Lufra, belonging to Tasmania, which was bound to that place, and the Norwegian barque Bondevinnin, of Kragero, •which was bound to Milford Haven. The Lufra had a general cargo, with a large quantity of gunpowder, which she tcokin at Gravesend, and the other vessel al6o had a general cargo. The circumstances attending the collision are of a somewhat exceptional character. The vessels appear to have kept in each other's company coming down Channel; but during the storm on Saturday night they collided, the Lufra striking the Norwegian craft on the starboard quarter. The blow was so heavy that it crushed through the timbers half-way across the deck, smashing, amongst other things, the binnacle. The oil in the binnacle I lamp exploded and caught fire, and set fire to the after part of the ship. Owinc to the high pea the vessel bdgan to fill at once, and the crew of 10 hands left her and took to their boats, the fire being put out by the vessel sinking in about 20 minutes' time. The crew of the Lufra became very much alarmed lest the fire should spread to their ship and explode tha gunpowder, both vessels being in contact for some time. They therefore took to their boats and left the vessel, 19 persona in all. The boats of both craft kept together for some time, but the high seas caused them to ship a great deal of water, and when those who were rescued from their perilous position were picked up, the water in the boats was nearly up to the thwarts, and they were in a sinking condition. The captain and some of the crsw of tho Lufra returned to that vessel, but the otier boats were missed in the darkness, and the men, including four of the Lufra's crew and the 10 men belonging to the Norwegian barque, were picked up by a passing vessel and brought in to Deal, where they were landed. One of the Lufni's boats containing three men passed tho rescuing ship and was lost in the darkness.