WRECK OF A STEAMER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13665, 7 August 1906, Page 5

WRECK OF A STEAMER.

A TERRIBLE PANIC. THREE HUNDRED LIVES LOST. Press Association—By Telsgraph— Copyright. LONDON, August 6. (Received August. 6, at 10.38 p.m.) The Italian steamer Sirro, bound from Genoa to Buenos Ayres with BCO emigrants, struck Harmiga's Shoals, 18 miles from Cartagena, and sank stern first within half an hour. A fearful panic ensued, and many people jumped into the sea. The Italian emigrants, who completely lost their selfcontrol, fought- with knives and revolvers for possession of the lifebelts and boats, and they completely overcame the ollicers unit crew, who wero trying to save the women and children.

(Received August 6, at 10.33 p.m.) Tho sea- was quite calm at the time of the disaster, and a. number of fishing boats put. out to the lescue. Several were overloaded with emigrants, and sank, drowning the would-be rescuers. The captain of the vessel shot, himself when he saw tho ship and the boats in possession of the emigrants. The officers then abandoned the ship. It is feared that- fully .300 people were drowned, the list including the Archbishop of San Pedro (Brazil), who was swept away while he was blessing the drowning people. Another bishop was saved. It- is alleged that the wreck was due to the captain's imprudence in going too near the shoals. A steamer picked up a baby floating in the water, alive and well. Some of the steamer's boats were safely launched. Numbers of drowning persons tried to cling to the gunwales, but the occupants beat them off with hatchets.