FOUNDERING OF THE BEGA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13670, 8 April 1908, Page 5

FOUNDERING OF THE BEGA.

THE STRUGGLE FOR LAND. BOATS LEAKING AND WITHOUT PROVISIONS. SAILORS' SPLENDID ROW. SOME COWARDLY MALE PASSENGERS. By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright. (Received .April 8, 9.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 8. , It took the Bega's boats thirteen hours to effect a landing. The boats were connected to each other by : a line. One of them, containing the \v J omen and children, had fo be balled continuously owing to the plug having been left out; and the crew being unable to discover the aperture in the darkness. They were hindered by the crowded condition of the boat. The women used their shoes and hats as balers. There were no rowlocks in this boat. It had to be taken in tow by another heavily laden one. Cries went up, from the women's b<Aat that they were sinking. Then- two or three of the men in the towing boat demanded that the line should be cut. Feeling ran high. An angry scene followed. This boat was also taking in a good deal of water. A passenger named Sharp, who was sitting in the stern was handed a knife and asjied to cut the Jine. He threw the knife into the sea. No food or water had been placed in the boats. The occupants suffered much .from thirst. Four of the seamen of the Bega behaved splendidly. They took the oars on leaving the steamer and never ceased pulling for twelve hours. When they were nearing the breakers the fowlocks were passed to the boat which was in tow, and the rope was severed. . Combing breakers bore both craft high up on the beach where they were capsized, but the passengers were in safety. AFTER THE LANDING. A PATHETIC SCENE. (Received April 8, 9.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 8. On the shore a touching scene was enacted, tit was a forlorn and tattered party — women hatless and bootless,, one clad in a nightdress and others but half clad, all fatigued and drenched to the skin, their minds wearied by the anxiety of the wreck-, and the perilous journey- and the scene that occurred when it was proposed by some cravens to cut them loose -to 1 drift helpless, per,*<h*ps tb eternity. ■' •• ' <>■'-• Though they Were worn oitt, they formed into groups— -mothers with little babes in their arms, and children clinging round their skirts — and stood on the lonely shore and sang two hymns of thanksgiving to Him who holds the sea in the hollow of His hand, who had landed them in safety. There was not one dry eye. It was the reaction that followed that night, full of incident,, alarm, and danger.