WRECK OF. THE FIFESHIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3313, 4 September 1911, Page 5

WRECK OF. THE FIFESHIRE.

SURVIVORS ARRIVE AT MARSEILLES. A THRILLING NARRATIVE. PASSENGERS SUFFER SEVERE PRIVATIONS. [UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPYEIGHT.3 (Received Sept. 4, , LONDON, Sent. 3. , Reuter’s Marseilles correspondent reports that twenty-five survivors from the Fifeshire have arrived aboard the steamer Goth.

A passenger, in the course of an interview, stated that at the time of the disaster a heavy sea with gale and fog prevented him Upm being able to distinguish people on deck. Suddenly a violent shock was felt, and those below rushed on deck. They passed the night in agitation, although the ship lay absolutely fast and motionless. In the morning they attempted to get the vessel off, but a hole in her bows developed a serious leak, and all hope of getting her off was abandoned for the evening. As the gale was growing in violence, and the ship gradually filling with water, which now reached the cabins, the Captain called them together and preparations were made to leave the next morning. Provisions for ten days were stored in four of the ship’s boats, and each of the 108 persons aboard the Fifeshire had their place in the boats allotted.

Continuing his narrative, the passenger stated: —We passed the night in dreadful mental agony, and at ten in the morning—the sea having moderated —we took our seats in the boats and set off in the direction of Aden. In the evening a strong southerly wind was blowing, and we lost sight of the other boats, but through the fog we caught sight of the dark mass of the liner. Going southwards we fired signals of distress. but- apparently they were not heard, and we passed a night of extreme misery. \v e were drenched to the skin by the seas and were shivering from the effects of the cold air. Towards two o’clock in the morning we were filled with hope on hearing the sound of the siren of the steamer Adour. whose lookout had heard our frenzied shouts. After immense difficulty the 27 passengers in our boat were got on board. We then found that another boat, with 24 people aboard, had been picked up five hours previously. The search continued, and the steamer Guttenfields altered her course and assisted in the quest. The survivors aboard the Goth appeared to have suffered greatly through cold and exposure.

TRIBUTE TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THREATENING ATTITUDE OF SAVAGES. (Received Sent. 4. 12.30 a.m.) LONDON. Sept. 3. Five of the Fifeshire’s crew have* arrived at Plymouth. They state that after the .vessel struck there was no panis. and the women and children behaved splendidly. Hordes of Somalis wore _ to be seen ashore at daylight, brandishing their swords and spears. _ _ Gesticulating significantly they drew their hands and -weapons across their throats, and some of them swam, out) to the ’wreck, being only kept from boarding the ship by being threatened with rifles.