THE WESTRALIA.

Western Star, 20 April 1920, Page 4

THE WESTRALIA.

ARRIVAL AT MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, April 15. The Westralia arrived here at halfpast 7 this morning. She is leaking slightly, but there is no danger, A passenger who was on board the Westralia states that the voyage from Bluff was uneventful until the unlucky 13 th. The passengers were holding a concert in the saloon, and were enjoying the contrast between the light and laughter* inside and! the noise of the waves hammering against the ports and the rain pelting on the deck when the ship suddenly bumped, causing a. breathless hush, but no panic. Mrs Cook, of Christchurch, bravely finished her song while the steamer was still bumping on the sand. The chief steward ordered everyone to dton lifebelts. This was carried out quietly.

“The scene on. deck was a strange one. Some of the women and children were clad only in their night attire. The night' was black as pitch and the wind was lashing the sea into foam. The crew were busy with the. boats, but those on board were told that the davits were old fashioned, and', judging by the difficulty in swinging out the boats, that was easy to believe. By 9.15 p.m. everything was in readiness for any emergency. The ship was dragging and bumping, and the waves were dashing over on the port side. -At 10 o’clock the passeners were told that the wireless had spoken the) Loongaua, 180 miles away, and she was conning at full speed to the. rescue. “ The morning light showed how miraculous our escape had) been,” continued the speaker. “We were within 200 yards of rocks which showed above the foam in the semi-darkness. If the ship had got off the sandbank upon which she providentially grounded nothing could have saved us from the rocks. Every effort was toad© (hiring the night to put the ship astern. The most trying moments were those when the engines started and the ship strained and struggled to get free, but without result. “ The passengers behaved splendidly. Tfie long night dragged by until the engines were again started, and the vessel slid! off t'hei bank with the Loongaua standing by. The Westralia was mjaking water, and took a list to starboard. On clearing «the banks the ships tanks were trimmed and the vessel was righted. The pumps kept the water in check until ' the vessel reached port this morning.” The passengers" opened a subscription list for the orew, and handled an address of appreciation to the skipper (Captain Bates). —A. and N.Z. Cable.