CAPSIZED IN STORM

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 584, 9 February 1929, Page 9

CAPSIZED IN STORM

COLLIER FOUNDERS OFF SYDNEY HEADS SURVIVORS’ THRILLING STORY (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) • Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Heed. 9.5 a.m. SYDNEY, Frfday. A small collier, the Annie M. Miller, foundered about 7.45 p.m. to-day six miles south-south-east of Sydney Heads. The pilot vessel Captain Cook picked up six of the crew, who were being tossed in an angry sea in the collier’s lifeboat. Six others are missing, and the search for them is continuing tonight. The South Head lighthouse-keeper sighted the collier half an hour before she sank and suddenly missed it. Then he saw rockets, and informed the pilot vessel. According to the survivors’ stories the vessel capsized and sank within eight minutes. One man was in his bunk when he was thrown out on to the deck and then plunged into the water. He was later picked up by a boat. The six men in the boat were almost exhausted when they were rescued by the pilot steamer. They told graphic stories of their experiences. The Captain Cook and two other steamers seached for the six missing men until an early hour, but without avail. It is now thought that some of those who are missing were trapped in their bunks and drowned before they could reach the deck. The names of the men believed to have been drowned are: Captain Pilling. John "Wilson, E. Rowera, Andrew Anderson, 11. Andrews and P. Brennan. The Annie M. Miller, of GOO tons, was built on the Clyde last year. She was owned by R. W. Miller and Company and her port of registry was Sydney. She carried wireless.