TERRIBLE SHIPWRECK.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1514, 3 June 1886, Page 3

TERRIBLE SHIPWRECK.

Melbourne, May $1

News is to hand by the telegraph from the lighthouse keeper at Gabo Island stating that the Ly-ee-Moon, 1200 tone, belonging to the Australian Steam Navigation Company, which left Melbourne for Sydney on Saturday evening, struck on a reef near Green Cape, a little to the Northward of Cape Howe, at 9.30 o’clock last night. The wind during the evening was west-sou’-west, the night being fiae and clear, with a high sea running. The Ly-ee-Moon passed Cape Howe at 8.15 p.m., a mile distant from shore, and after rounding the course was set due north. Mr Cotheringham, the second officer, was in charge of the vessel, and the captain ordered him to call him when nearing Queen Cape light. Upon the captain being called he found the vessel heading straight for the reef, and se close to the shore that it was impossible to avoid the danger. Within ten minuies of the ship’s striking she patted amidships, the after part remaining stationary on the reef while the fore part drifted shore wards, the seas making a complete breach over both portions of the vessel. All those who were saved were in the fore part of (lie ship, and were landed with the aid of a rope worked by the lighthouse-keeper and assistants. The five saloon passengers paved, as well as a number of the crew rescued, wore in the fore part of the vessel, the only loss of life from that portion being one lady who perished whilst attempting to reach shore, and a youth who died from exposure. The captain was the last to leave the wreck. All the remaining saloon passengers perished, it being impossible to render them any assistance. It is estimated that fully 70 persons lost their lives: of these about 20 were passengers. Fifteen persons wore saved. At daybreak the whole of the after part had disappeared. Green Cape light was showing brightly at the time of the accident.

The following passengers booked for Sydney by the Ly-ee-Moon on Saturday: MeedamasMclntyre, Ellis, H. Adams and family, Gardner, Coghill, McKellop, Campbell, child and infant, Jennings and Hamilton, Misses Hamilton, Rev. W. Pool, Messrs A. Smithson, Johnson, D. C. Harris, C. Cox, E. C. Holmes, O. G. Bradley, A. Graham, A. McGregor, fl. Lumsden, John A. Buckland, and 27 steerage. The following are the names of the saved passengers (five): Rev. Mr Poole, Messrs Harris, Lumsden, Smith, Master H. Adams. Crew saved include captain and first officer, (their names are not given); Hutchinson, second offices ; Fotheriogham, third officer; Thompson, chief steward ; Morpe, boatswain ; Robertson, carpenter; seamen McNally, Johnson, Burgland and Tyrell. June 1. It is announced that the Australian Steam Navigation Company themselves insured the Ly-ee-Moon. Mr A. McGregor, who was one of those drowned by the sinking of the Ly-ee-Moon, is stated to have been the son of an hotelkeeper in Dunedin. Dunedin, June 2. McGregor, lost in the Ly-ee-Moon, i» the eldest son of McGregor, late landlord of the British Hotel. His age was 23.