SYDNEY TRAGEDY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20424, 15 February 1938, Page 7

SYDNEY TRAGEDY

WERE ANY ENTRAPPED? STATEMENTS BY SURVIVORS . DIVERS HAMPERED BY TIDE . . United Press Assu.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlghi SYDNEY, Feb. 14. Some of the Rodney’s passengers fainted when she capsized, and others received injuries through being flung off their feet or hit by floating seats. Divers, being hampered by a full high tide, have not yet succeeded in entering the Rodney’s cabin. Mr Rosmaft and a deckhand named Callaghan, were interviewed this morning. They say that soon after the launch capsized they both dived inside the cabin and are positive no one was there. They looked for trapped passengers in vain. Mr Callaghan says that only four or five were in the -cabin a few seconds before the launch turned over. One survivor says he saw eight in the cabin besides himself when the launch capsized. Another survivor says several were in the cabin and had to fight their way out. Mr Rosman said the launch was thoroughly tested by the maritime services board when he took it over. WRECK LOCATED FOUR MORE BODIES FOUND United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyr‘gnt SYDNEY, Feb. 14 Divers located the sunken launch Rodney at. about noon to-day in 70ft. of water 200 yards from Bradley's Head, midway between Cremorne and Mosman. The Rodney was raised by a large floating crane late this afternoon and four more bodies—three women and a boy—were found. They had been trapped in the cabin. Their names were : \da Cramp (30), of Rushcutters Bay. Doris Rogers (32). of ’Double Bay. Unity Nagarint (18). of Rockdale, ihristopher Kayser (7) of Leichhardt. It Is reported that a total of 135 persons received treatment. Of thife number 60 were taken to hospital, hut only 14 were admitted as patients. Eight who were reported missing have been located but 11 others are still unaccounted for. The police fear that nine of the 11 persons still missing have been drowned. Probably they were trapped in the forepart of the Rodney's Cabin, which has still not been fully explored owing to the failing light and the debris wedged inside preventing the divers gaining access to it. As a matter of fact the Rodney is not wholly on the surface. Only her stern has been hauled above the water and her bow is pointing down to the harbour-bed. Further efforts to locate bodies will be resumed to-morrow morning, and it is feared that the death roll may mount lo 19 or 20.

Heartrending Scenes The divers engaged in the search for the launch report that the light ar/J visibility were so poor on the harbourbed that they could not say whether other bodies had drifted away. There were heartrending scenes at the city mortuary, where relatives of the missing assembled and waited for hours expecting the worst. Especially pathetic was the scene when the father of the boy Kayser was called upon to identify his son. Both the father and the mother of the lad were among the rescued. The newspapers publish remarkable movie pictures taken by a private citizen from Bradley’s Head, showing the Rodney overturning, with the Louiseville in the background, also rescue scenes. A Controversy A controversy is proceeding as to whether the Rodney, which was licensed to carry 211 people, was overloaded. The consensus of opinion, backed by the police, is that there were at least 90 people on the upper deck, which should have contained no more than 60. The Rodney was driven by a Diesel engine. She cost £3OOO and was surveyed and registered as recently as February 11. Mr Rosman. owner of the launch, maintains that the number of pepole on board at the time of the disaster was less than the published estimates. All the rafts floated clear when the launch capsized and were recovered later. Life jackets were provided for each person. Prime Minister’s Message The Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, has sent a message conveying the very sincere sympathy of the Commonweal) h Government and the people of Australia to the relatives and friends of the victims of the Rodney disaster. He paid a tribute to Hie heroism of the rescuers and also despatched a special message lo the commanding officer of the United States cruiser Louiseville expressing deep appreciation and thanks for Hie assistance rendered by the ship’s crew, whose promptitude prevented much greater loss of life. The New Zealand Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr W. E. Parry, who is visiting Newcastle, telegraphed*saying: “ The deepest sympathy of (he Government and the people of New Zealand will be felt for the relatives ■of those who lost their lives in the harbour disaster." ANOTHER ODY RECOVERED TEN PEOPLE MJ>?ING i nited Press As«n.—Elcc. Tel. Copyright Received Feb. 15. 3.i5 p.m.; SYDNEY. Feb. 15 The Rodney, w hifh capsized Hie oilier day. was lowered lo an even keel, after which a diver descended and found the body of a y..m»g girl. Ten bodies lmve now been recovered. Ills missinii total nine. II wiii not be known till this afternoon whether any more victims are in Hi-' Rodney's cabin. The launch, which is standing on end, is partly buried in mud, and it (Continued in next column)

will be* necessary to adjust longer slings before il can be raised. Divers reported this morning that the water was too muddy for them to see anything. CAPSIZE OF THE RODNEY APPEAL TO HELP DISTRESSED Untied Press Assn —Elec. Tel. Copyright Received Feb. 15. 11.15 a.m.) SYDNEY. Feb. 15 The Lord Mayor will launch an appeal to-day to assist relatives of the victims of the capsizing of the Rodney who are in distress.