TERRIBLE PANIC ON A STEAMER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1696, 9 February 1888, Page 4

TERRIBLE PANIC ON A STEAMER.

Details are given by the Vienna correspondent of the London Daily Chronicle of a lamentable accident on board the Asia, Minor Company's steamer Bellona. The vessel, which had 400 passengers, mostly Greek*, .>» board, was not very long out IVum Salonica, and was near the Island, of Imbros ih the Archipelago, when a dreadful panic arose in consequence of an alarm of fire. Tho alarm was a , false one, but before this fact could be brought home to the terrified passengers a general panic seized upon them, and a rush was made for the boats./ Before the captain and crew could interfere, the struggling and terrorstricken crowd bad scrambled into the boats and begun to lower them. In doing bo one of the boats Overturned, precipitating its occupants, 47 in number, into the' sea. To make matters worse,-'a strong gale was blowing at-ihe time, and all attempts to rescue the helpless victims in the water seem to have failed, the efforts of the crew having been impeded by the terror-stricken mob on board. ( The whole of those who were in the "capsized boats were consequently drowned, while several persons were crushed to death in the struggle that took place for the boats. Eventually, by threats and persuasion, the officers of the steamer succeeded in restoring calm among the terrified passengers. Judging from appearances it would seem that the alarm must have been caused intentionally, as while the panic was at its height a number of thieves, profiting by the general con fusion, burst open the door of xlxc captain's cabin and stole upward;; of £2OOO, which they must have .known. was locked up there, , '