TEN PEOPLE DROWNED
WRECK OF THE CASINO ON COAST OF VICTORIA HEROIC RESCUE WORK (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, July 11. Ten lives were lost when the small coastal steamer Casino was wrecked about 300 yards from the shore at Apollo Bay. Nine people were saved—seven of the crew and two passengers. Heroic rescue work was earned out by local farmers, some of whom rode into the surf on horseback. Frank Martin, on a pony, rescued the second officer and the second engineer. He plunged in again and again, but was swept from the pony. He reached the shore with great difficulty. Those drowned were:— John Middleton (48), master. Orlando Bennie, first mate. Michael Foley (42), A.B. Peter Murray (50), A.B. Hugh Mulholland (49), A.B. James Thompson (25), seaman. John Owen (05), fireman. Thomas Clarke, fireman. James Kirkpatrick (44), cook. Helen Gill (52), stewardess. BRAVERY OF STEWARDESS. MELBOURNE, July 11. The vessel endeavoured to berth at Apollo Bay, to land passengers and cargo, but she dropped heavily on the bottom and her plates were strained. The captain tried to run out to sea, but the ship was leaking badly, so he decided to beach her. The water swamped the engine room, with the result that the Casino heeled over. As soon as the danger was imminent, lifebelts were donned, but each time a boat was launched it was swamped by the big seas. A woman and a girl (passengers) jumped overboard and were eventually driven ashore. As the ship foundered all but five, including the captain and cabin boy, leaped into the sea. These five clung to the Casino for two hours. A crowd was watching on shore, but it was realised that it would be futile to launch a fishing boat in the boiling surf. Rockets were sent out, but failed to reach the steamer. The five on board finally attempted to launch a boat. It capsized and only one managed to reach the shore.
Captain Middleton was dragged from the surf, but efforts to revive him failed.
A brave part was played by the stewardess, Mrs Gill. She put lifebelts on the women and girl passengers, but had no time to don one herself before the Casino heeled over. She had been on the Casino for 23 years. A son of Mr Michael Foley was saved. . Joan Greer, aged 12, was rescued by those on shore. Mrs Conberry was the only one to reach the beach unaided. Her husband, who was working on hie farm directly above the bay, saw the ship go under. Jumping on his horse, he dashed to the beach in time to see his wife crawling out of the water on her hands and knees. So far five bodies have been recovered. —i — - SEARCH. FOR BODIES. MELBOURNE, July 11. (Received July 11, at 11.30 p.m.) A diligent search of the beach failed to locate the bodies of the five men who are missing. Heavy seas are still running. The spot where the Casino foundered has been the scene of many wrecks, and several half buried hulks are still visible in the sand over a radius of five miles.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 21694, 12 July 1932, Page 7
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526TEN PEOPLE DROWNED Otago Daily Times, Issue 21694, 12 July 1932, Page 7
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