STEAMER CUT IN TWO.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13993, 26 August 1909, Page 2

STEAMER CUT IN TWO.

EXCURSIONISTS F<\R THE FETES IN URUGUAY. 80 PERSONS DROWNED.

By Electric Telegraph.— Copju^nt MONTE VIDKO, August '25. The Argentine steamer Colombia, with excursionists lr:>n> Huenos Ay res intending to attend tho national fetes in Uruguay, when entering Monte Video 'outer harbour collided at six o'clock in the morning with the North German Lloyd steamer Schleisen. The former sank, and eighty persons, chiefly women and children excursionists, were drowned, and seventy, including the captain, and the bulk ot the crew (who numbered 48) were saved. The Schleisen was only slightly damaged. The Colombia was cut in two. The forepart sauk almost immediately, and the aft portion was only a few minutes above water. The majority of the passengers were asleep at the time. The panic was terrible. ' Small steamers hastened to the scene, but a heavy sea and torrents' of rain impeded rescue work. Many of those rescued, the majority, of whom were clinging to the masts, were more or less seriously injured. The fetes have been postponed.