A TERRIBLE DISASTER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4953, 30 August 1887, Page 3

A TERRIBLE DISASTER.

TWENTY-FIVE PEOPLE LO3T.

A New York special of July 10 aiys : — Tho sloop Mystery, with oKouraionists on board, w.ia c.ip3izjd last evening. The tido was flowing oub moro rapidly than 'a milhaco, and a laud Lro Z3 that was almost a cjale gavo a wliit'j curl to the water*. The sloop had started to come about, but tho size of her load — thoro woro nearly twenty-five persons on h<?r — camed a delay. The ?quall struck her, and over she went. Mon, womon, and children wero thrown out into the water. Some clung to the sloop, but only « fow. A tugboat which was not far away made for tho unfortunate excursionists. Thero was a party of pleasure seekers on board tho tug, which had difficulty in getting near the sloop. Two of the passengers fastened lines to their waists and sprang overboard and brought on the tug a woman and two girls, who were unconscious. Three struggling women and two mon wero alao rescued. Tho wind blew so hard that the tuy was unablo to do more, and tho upset eloop and tqo rest of her ill-fated passengers, numbering over tjgonty, were hurried out to s;)* by the rtkhing tide. Tho tug headed fur a wharf three miles away. Efforts wero mado to revive tho unconscious wom?n and two girls and it was found they wore dead. Tho rescued women werJ hysterical, and at times ahnorj frantic. Thsir crio3 could be hear.l on shore as the tug drew near. On the wharf wero nearly two fchouaand women and children and men. Some had come across from llockaway to catch Ihe tr*in for tho city, but moro were there to enjoy the music of tho band and Bit at tables and drink beer. AH wero jolly. As the lug came close to the pier the band struck up a lively air and welcomed the newcomers with a shout. A man sprang ashoro from the tug boat. "For God's sake stop the music !" ho called. " Thera are dead aboard." Tho music ceased and the crowd grew still. Two women, crying and wringing their hands, were holped from the tucr. On tho forward deck could be Been tho bt dies of tho women and the two little girls stretched side by side, their white dresses clinging to them like s!irouda. The women and children on the wharf cried in sympathy, and where music and laughter had beon a moment bofora wero tears and wailing. One of tho rescued persons said tharo were from thirty to thirty-five persons on the yacht when she capsized. Of this number only the fivo mentioned are Known to have been saved. It is possible a few others were pickod up, but not probable, as tho tido was running too swiftly for them to keep afloat lone.