THE STEAMSHIP COLLISION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4738, 11 December 1886, Page 2

THE STEAMSHIP COLLISION.

* TOTAL LOSS OF 51 PERSONS. HEARTRENDING SCENES. BOAT LOWERED AND SWAMPED. Sydney, to-day. The greater number of the Keilawarra's passengers who were brought to Sydney yesterday morning by the Helen Nicoll were in a most exhausted condition. Heartrending scenes took place at the wharf on the arrival of the vessel. From the statement of tho survivors it appears that at the time the collision took place the weather was rather hazy, though up to that time the weather had been clear. The collision is described as something terrible, and the wildest confusion prevailed on both vessels, the ladies on board the Keilawarra running about in a state of perfect bowildorment. A boat was lowered from the Keilawarra, but was instantly rushed, and went down with twenty people in it, several of whom failed to regain the ship. When the vessel sank most heartrending cries were raised. As the Keilawarra was thought to be the safer vessel, when she parted many of those on board the Helen Nicoll attempted to jump overboard to the Keilawarra, but failed to reach her. Later. No one on board either vessel appears to have seen the approaching lights, but when the situation aas grasped the passengers on board the Keilawarra behaved in a frantic manner. A distressing scene took plaoe. Women and children were shrieking with fear, and a number of men rushed the boats, heedless of the captain, who cried shame on their cowardice. The total loss of life amounts to 51. It now appears that Mr, not Mrs, Wilson has been drowned.