WRECK OF THE AUSTRALIA

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 19

WRECK OF THE AUSTRALIA

THE PASSENGERS AND CREW

SAFE.

AN UNACCOUNTABLE AFFAIR

MELBOURNE, June 20

The P. and O. Company's Australia was totally wrecked on Point Nepean this morning. No lives were lost.

The Australia was inward bound from London, and was in charge of Pilot Dennis at the time of the disaster. She struck the Nepean reef about 2 o'clock in the morning. The lifeboat removed all the passengers safely, and the crew were also landed. The chief officer of the Australia states that the vessel's bottom was stove in, and the fires put out. The vessel looks to be a total wreck.

The night was dark, with rain squalls, a strong northerly wind springing up as the vessel at full speed made towards the Heads. The sea, however, was smooth. The steamer struck the Corsair Rock. The impact was tremendous, the vessel's hull being stove in and the fires put out. There were 49 passengers aboard, all of whom were asleep in their cabins at the time. Despite the shock there was not the slightest trace m panic. The look-out at Queenscliff observed the vessel's distress rockets, and the lifeboat and the pilot steamer were immediately despatched. At daylight five tugs were standing by while the lifeboat removed the pas-sengers, and the pilot boat took the crew to Queenscliff. They were expected to reach Melbourne this, afternoon.

The wires are working badly between the Heads and Melbourne.

A passenger states that the stewards quickly and quietly awakened the passengers. The vessel grated on the reef, and then bumped heavily. The boats were all got out and in readiness without any confusion. The passengers assembled in the smoking room, where the position was explained to them. The ladies were then placed in the boats first and the gentlemen next. The engine room quickly filled with water, and the electric light was extinguished.

The pilot steamer Victoria arrived this afternoon with the passengers and the greater portion of the crew of the Australia, tho remainder of the crew standing by. All the personal effects of the passengers were landed.

Latest reports state that the Australia lies half a mile north of the Petriana wreck, clos.e up to Point Nepean, resting on the rocks from the bow to well under amidships in 24ft of water at flood tide. She has a considerable list to starboard. The bottom is badly stove in, and the holds full of water. Experienced seamen aboard consider there is no chance of floating the vessel. When she struck the water rushed in so rapidly that mimbers in the stem part of the steamer had to wade up to their shoulders in escaping.

The lookout man on the pilot steamer Victoria first noticed the signals of distress, and the steamer went in search. Owing to the darkness she went outside without finding the wrecked steamer, but discovered her on the return journey.

It is difficult to understand how the disaster happened, as the Australia's position is nowhere near the entrance or channel, which the lights at Queenscliff and South Channel clearly indicate. >

The captain states that the pilot was picked xvp four or five miles outside - He was standing on the bridge alongside the pilot when the ve^el struck. She was filing, at the rate of 14^ knots. He immediately gave tho order to clo^o the watertight compartment^. There was no excitement or panic. The pilot, he stated, as soon a-, the accident happened, became delirious, and was taken below, where he recovered.

Captain Wymark, marine surveyor, reports that the hold of the Australia is full to the level with the water out-ide At the spot where she settled down the swirl of the tide is never still, except for a few minute s» at slack water. Nothing could be done to-day toward-, salving the car&o. If a south-westerly

gale springs up tho stcnnier nui^i break up.

The los^ of the vessel will fall on the P. and 0. Company, which is its own tmd^iv/ntpr-. Tho insurances on the ca**go, which include-* a considerable consignment of Lea, it, mostly in British office'-.