A SURVIVOR'S. NARRATIVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12824, 14 October 1911, Page 5

A SURVIVOR'S. NARRATIVE

A THRILLING STORY

SYDNEY, October 13. The Macleay was en route from Sydney to the Clarence River, with a small general cargo including three horses. Petersen, "who had the wheel at the time of the disaster, states that the chief officer had just relieved the second officer. He called tho officer's attention to something white abeam, but the officer declared that it was only a school of fish. In another instant the steamer, which v/as going about nine knots,

struck

The captain rushed on deck and ordered an attempt to beach the vessel.

The helm was swung round, and the vessel slid sideways off the rock.

Tho water commenced to pour in forvard, and in ten minutes she heeled over and sank.

The boats had been swung out preparatory to launching, but they swung back as tho steamer heeled over, and could not be launched.

All aboard were thrown struggling into the water.

Petersen got on to a hurdle

Everyone was crying out, and the excitement was increased by a number of horses struggling in the water.

The steward (whoso body was washed MP) go* ] 10^ °fa horse's tail, and afterwards climbed oi* to a hurdle.

Peterten, who was 13 hours in the water, all. through tho long, cold night hung on to tbo hurdle. When the moon rose ho saw Swanney and another man on some hurdles winch were tied tqgether. Wben morning broke they wore closo to the surf, and when in the breakers the two men were washed off S.wanney's raft, ; and being too exhausted to help themselves, they were drowned.

Tho two survivors were terribly spent, but managed to struggle ashore; Tho scene of the wreck was one of tho Cabbage Tree Rocks, where the steamer Oakland was lost some years aao.