DOUBLE SHIPPING DISASTER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8794, 23 April 1907, Page 2

DOUBLE SHIPPING DISASTER.

Press Association—Copyright Adelaide, April 22. The Norma had 31.000 . bags of wheat aboard. The incoming ship struck her a heavy blow on the port side amidships, cutting her below the waterline. The Norma immediately heeled over, rapidly filled, and within ten minutes sank in 7i> fithoms of water. The carpenter who was not missed till the boat reached the Arden Craig, was a Norwegian named Johnson. The Arden Craig was only slightly damaged. She lost her' fore-royal mast and damaged some plates. She is making water slightly. The Jessie Darling had 20,000 bags of wheat aboard. The steamer Palmer had a narrow escape early this morning. She bumped over the w.reck of the Norma, but luckily sustained little damage. The boat which went to the rescue of Johnson heard cries for two hours, but owing to the rough sea was unable to reach him. He umst'liave succumbed to exposure and exhaustion. m April 23. Jessie Darling was insured for £ISOO in the National and New Zealand and further divided among other offices. The Admiralty Court, on behalf of the owners of the Norma, have placed the. Arden Craig -under arrest.

The Palmer mistook the warning signals for those of a vessel in distress, and passed right over the wrecks of the Norma and Jessie Darling. The master of the Palmer declares that the signals were not placed in accordance with regulations. The master of the ' Arden Craig states that he showed blue lights and flares from early on Satursday night till the time of the disaster, and burned every light except two, and over 20 gallons of kerosene. Yet ho was never noticed from the shore.