AN OCEAN TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2384, 28 December 1908, Page 5

AN OCEAN TRAGEDY.

SAILING SHIP SINKS A TIJG.

SEVEN LIVES LOST

United Press Association. Copyright (Received, Dec. 27, 9.30 a.m.)

SYDNEY, Dec. 26. A sensational collision occurred off Newcastle late last night. The tug Advance went out to take the ship Iverna, from Melbourne, in tow, when she was struck by that vessel.

The captain of the Iverna states: — “We were seven miles to the southeast of Nobby’s when the tug came up on the lee bow land crossed over on the weather bow. The tug then returned and came towards us. It was all over ill a flash. The Advance crossed the bows of the Iverna land struck the vessel on the quarter. We only felt a slight impact. The next thing we saw was the tug over on her side. As she came abreast of the mizzen mast she went right over and the boiler exploded. The cax>tain, who-was on the bridge when the tug went over, walked along the side when she capsized. We saw him standing on the bottomwith his pipe still in his mouth.. As the tug sank the captain grabbed a grating. The' Iverna was doing Hf knots with a southerly gale behind her. A lifebuoy was thrown and a boat launched, and searched for two hours but found none of the crew.”

Eight x>ersons perished, the master, Captain McKenzie, the mate, Mr. Wills, the chief engineer, Mr Herbert-, the second engineer, Mr. Wilson,: and the crew, O’Brien, Scott, and two whose names are unknown. The Iverna reached Newcastle at 2 this morning with her forepart full of water.

THE TUG’S MATE SAVED

(Received Dec. 27, 8.15 a.m.)

Mr. Wills, mate of the Advance, was washed up alive near Newcastle this morning. He clung to ia piece of wreckage. He states -that he only saw Captain McKenzie and Scott in the water after the disaster, which occurred about sundown yesterday. He thinks the rest of the crew went down with the tug.