DISASTROUS COLLISION AT SEA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1525, 14 December 1886, Page 1

DISASTROUS COLLISION AT SEA.

Sydney, Deo. 10. Mr John Macdonald, wild was (frowned' in the Keilawarra, wais a brother of Mr Macdonald, manager of the Onion Bank in Nelson, Miss Calder was a daughter of Captain Calder,' of the Victoria. The Schepper family, who are all .s<, had but recently returned fr«m Ottomany, and were .proceeding 1 to Mafvborough. The Chamber of Commerce has voted an address of sympathy with tiie relatives of the deceased. , The greater number of the Kehawarra’s passengers ‘ were brought : to Sydney this morning by the Helen Nicoll, and were in a moat exhausted condition, , Heartrending scenes took place at the wharf on the arrival of the vessel. It was shown by the statements of the survivors 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, the wildest confusion prevailing on both vessels. The ladies on board the Kellawarra.were running about in a state of perfect bewilderment. A boat was lowered from the Keilawarra, but it was instantly rushed, and went, down with 20 people in it, several of whom failed to regain the ship. When the , vessel sank the most heartrending cries were raised, as the Keilawarra was thought to be the safer vessel, ami when the vessels parted many of those aboard the Helen Nicoll attempted to jhmp aboard the Keilawarra, but failed to reach! her. Those who lost their lives op board the Helen Nicoii were crushed to, <lt ui while asleep in their bunks. Later. No one oh board,either vessel app. ais to have seen the approaching lights, but when the situation was grasped the passengers on board the Keilawarra behaved in a most frantic manner,,, A distressing scene, took place, the, wpmen and children shrieking with fear, a number of men rushed the boats heedless of the captain, who cried shame on their cowardice; The total loss of, life amounts to 41, It now appears that it is Mr, not Mrs, Wilson that has* been drowned. ; r > Dec. 12. No trace has yet been found of the bodies of those drowned in the Keilawarra. A boat belonging to that vessel has been picked up.