LOSS OF THE BEGA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14184, 9 April 1908, Page 7

LOSS OF THE BEGA

PERILOUS TRIP IN THE BOATS.

AN EXCITING SCENE.

Press Association,—By Tacgraph—Copyright, SYDNEY, April 8. Further information concerning the wieck of the steamer Bega, which capsized off Tathra last Sunday night, states that it took the vessel's boats 13 hours to effect a landing. The boats were connected to each other by a line.- One o£ them, containing women and children, had to be baled continuously owing to tiro plug being left out and inability to discover the aperture in the darkness, and through its crowded! condition. The women used their, shoes and bats as balers. There were no rowlocks in this boat, which had to bo taken in, tow by another heavily-laden one, Cries went up from the women's boat that they were sinking, and two or three men in the towing boat demanded that the line should be cut. Feeling ran high, and art angry scene followed. This boat also was taking in a good deal of water, and a passenger named Sharp, who was sitting in the stern, was handed a knife, and was asked to clit- the line. He threw the kiiifo into the sea. '

No food or water was placed in the boats, and the occupants suffered much Irom thirst.

Four seamen of the Bega, behaved splendidly. They took the oars on leaving the eteamer, and never ceascd pulling for .12 hours. When nearing the breakers the rowlocks were paesed to the boat which Was in tow, and the rope was severed. The combing breakers bore both craftvhigh up on the beach, where they were capsized, but landed in safety. Here a touching scene was enacted by the forlorn, tattered party of women, who were hatltes and bootless (one was clad in her nightdress, and the others but half-dad), fatigued, drenched to the skin, and. their minds wearied by the anxiety of the wreck and their perilous journey. Though the scene, when it was proposed by some cravens to cut. them loose to drift helpless and perhaps to eternity, had worn them out, they formed themselves into h.! group, and with little babies in their arms and 'with children clinging round their skirts stood tip oil the lonely seashore and ea.ng two hymns of thanksgivingi to Him who holds the eca in the hollow of His liand, and Who had led thenl in safety. There was not a dry eye present. It was the reaction that followed- the night full of exciting incidents, alami, and danger.

(Received April 8, at 9.14 p.m.) Tho steamer Peterborough, which is bringing part of the Bega's castaways to ISydney, has put into Kiama disabled, owing to an accident to the air-pump, The castaways landed and made the journey by train.

Oil being interviewed, Captain Davies, who was acting chief officer of tho Bega, anrl who had charge of tho women's boat, declared that the boats were fitted with everything necessary. He denied that one boat was .without rowlocks and with a; plug out. v

The passengers in the boat which was towing the women's boat confirm the statement that the suggestion made to cut the painter by seaman, who produced a knife, was strongly resented by the others in the boat. Anyone attempting sucli a thing was threatened, with rough treatment. The knife was afterwards returned to its owner. Ail pay tributes to the coolness and bravery of the women and children, ' The steamer Coomonderry, which was sent to the relief of the remaining castaways, met with an accident to hfer engines, and was delayed several hours.