A HARBOR CATASTROPHE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2392, 6 January 1909, Page 5

A HARBOR CATASTROPHE.

GABLE NEWS

STEAMER COLLIDES WITH A PINNACE. FIFTEEN MAN-O’-WARSMEN DROWNED. United Press Assooiation Copyright SYDNEY, Jan. 5. The steamer Dunmoro collided with a pinnace containing 70 bluejackets off Garden Island l . Fifteen bluejackets were drowned. A long boat, with 80 bluejackets, fully armed for rifle practice at RandAvick ranges, left the naval depot, Garden Island, this morning. The boat Avas in tOAV of a small launch'. When it got within 200 yards of Lady Macquarie’s Chair, the steamer Dunmore came along and struck the long boat on tlio starboard side, cutting into her, and severely injuring a number of the men. All av ere throAvn into the Avater. The majority Avere able .to keep afloat while the launch picked them up. A boat from tho Dunmore also Avent to their assistance. The collision Avas also noticed from the warships, and soon <a- flotilla of boats -were on tlio scene-rendering assistance.

After rescuing all avlio Avere afloat, it Avas discovered that fifteen Avere .still missing. The men, being laden Avitli rifles and be:iA-y cartridge belts, Avere evidently unable to recover Avlien throAvn into the Avater, and sank before help reached them. Others Avcro injured by tho impact.

The names of the missing men are: Curling, Balcombe, Barrett. Evans, Strelitz, Hornsby, Hill, Marsh, Br'istoAve, and Otten (seamen); Donn, Cunningham, Humberstone, Searle, and Gregory (stokers).

A TERRIBLE SCENE. SAILORS SEE THEIR COMRADES DROWN. United Press Association. Copyright (Received Jan. 5, 5.3 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 5. The Dunmore Avas moving from the north side of the harbor to land at Woolloomooloo at the time of the collision. There Avas a slight haze overhanging the AA’-atcr. The disaster Avaj Avitmi-sed by the bluejackets on neighboring Avarships and Garden Island. They describe llie scene as terrible?. Men Avere shouting and struggling for help, and it is feared that a number Avere injured by the steamer's propeller. DiA'crs from Garcb-n Island quickly got to Avork and located the sunken boat, and recoAxred the bodies of EA-ans, Hornsby, BristoAve. Otten, Donn. Cunningham. and Gregory. A great crowd gathered at the Domain avu telling the operations. [Tlie Dunmore is aAvooden screAV steamer, 0f“277 tons register, built at Blackwall, N.S.W., in 1891, and OAvned by Mr. G. F. Fuller.]

ACCOUNTS BY EYE-WITNESSES

A THRILLING SCENE

United Press Association. Copyright (Received Jan. 5, 9.25 p.m.)

SYDNEY, Jail. 5

Just Avliat caused the- disaster has not I ice u rcAxaled. The naval authorL tics are reticent until an inquiry has been held, Avhilc tlie Dunmore proceeded to sea shortly after the accident.

Tlie sea avus smooth and the day clear, although there is said to have been a slight haze at the time.

From those aboard the Dunmore it is gathered that the captain gave one blast of the Avbistlo avlkmi ho saw the boats to indicate the course, he was steering. Lie was satisfied that the pinnace Avould pass under liis vessel’s stern, but- suddenly the towing launch, altering her course,, came across his bows. The pinnace was completely tunied oaxt by tlie impact. Those crowded "in the centre of her Avere .apparently stunned, and unable to help themselves. All Avere heavily clothed and AveightecT Avitli ammunition and accoutrements.

PARTICULARS OF THE VICTIMS

ALL BODIES RECOVERED

The men droAvncd 'belonged to 11.M.5. Encounter, Avhicli i.s lying ■along Garden Island. The victims are all Englishmen, and all unmarried' except Gregory, avlio leaves a wife and daughter at Liverpool.

It- is clear that many of those lost became entangled to the gear in the boat, as she overturned. One was found in the boat held fast by the hand. Many of the men drowned were good swimmers, and must have been stunned by the impact. By five o’clock all the bodies were recovered, with the exception of that of Marsh. As each body was found it was wrapped l in a Union Jack and conveyed aboard the Encounter. The appalling nature of the disaster caused a large assembly of people on the sloping ground of the Domain overlooking the scene. An eye-witness* describes the scene as thrilling. Men were struggling' in the water in a mass clutching wildly at floating oars or .anything likely to keep them afloat. Fortunately

plenty of assistance was at hand, and prevented even greate'r loss of life. Fourteen men were actually drowned outright, the fifteenth,: Gregory, wan picked tip in a bad. Avay, and subsequently died. .The survivors, when : they saw the situation. was dangerous, shouted to the toAving launch to cut the painter, but there Avas not time, the Dunmore passing, over the boat and through the floundering men.

The disaster is about tho 'worst on record in Sydney harbor, and created a profound sensation.

A NAVAL OFFICER’S STATEMENT

GALLANT RESCUE WORK

(Received Jan. 5, 11.5 p.m.)

SYDNEY, Jan. 5

An officer of H.M.S. Encounter states that it appeared as if the ooal Avas suddenly folded together by the force of the collision. Then the sidetr Avent back/again in their places. He thought it possible that the men in the centre of tlie boat Avore squeezed in such a Avay that they sank at once.

Tlie bole in the boat i.s three feet "in Avidth and three feet in depth. All these droAvncd Avere between 19 and 21 years of age.

Another eye-witness states that the boat seemed to lie sucked under the steamer, Avhicli passed right over it. He saAV several men throw up their hands and sink before assistance could reach them. Tlie toAving launch, though cioAvded Avitli marines, did excellent rescue work. Many men who reached the upturned boat clung to her, and helped others on to the bottom, but thc'Aveight was too nuic-h, and she sank under them. The respite gained, lioAveA'er. Avas valuable, as it enabled tlie rescue boats to reach them. It iis now stated that the men Avere not carrying ammunition, Avhicli was stoAvcd in boxes in the bottom of the boat.

•The funerals of the drowned Avill take ]ilace to-morrow. (Received Jan. 6, 1.5 p.m.)

Marsh’s body has been recovered