LOSS OF CENTENNIAL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 348, 7 September 1889, Page 4

LOSS OF CENTENNIAL.

FULL DETAILS. Melbocrne, August 2S. The Argus has the following additional particulars in regard to the wreck of the s.s. Centennial:—The journey down the harbor to Bradley’s Head was safely accomplished, but shortly after passing that point disaster overtook the vessel, whose career since she has been re-christened has been marked by rather more than the average number of casualties. The steam collier Kannahooka, which was coming up the harbor from Woollongong with a cargo for the mail tteamer Victoria, approached the Centennial before Neat Point was reached, and owing to some mistake the two vessels collided. The night was fine and clear, and as far as can be gathered those on board each vessel plainly observed the other approaching, but wereunable to keep clear. The Kannahooka appears to have struck the Centennial on the starboard side, abreast of the foremast, and cut the larger steamer down to the waterline, and so seriously damaged her hull as to cause her to sink within six minutes. The noise of the crashing caused by the torn and twisted iron and splintered timbers had scarcely died away before the vessel swung round, and it was discovered that the Centennial was sinking. The captain immediately gave orders to have the boats lowered, and by the time this order was in a fair way of being executed every soul on board was on deck and prepared to leave the rapidlysinking ship. There was some rushing and scrambling and a little excitement among a few of the passengers, but taking everything into consideration, the confusion was much less than might have been expected, and the passengers and crew were transferred to boats with expedition and without serious accident. Some of the passengers and crew managed to scramble from the Centennial to the Kannahooka, others got into the boats of the sunken steamer, and a few were taken on board by boats, which were lowered by the captain of the collier before the safety of his own craft had been demonstrated. There was no time to get together any of the luggage, and in the hasty abandonment of the steamer some of the passengers and crew were left in the boats with the scantiest of clothing, &nd few had anything more than the clothes in which they stood. Among the passengers were a few ladies and children, and these were among the first to be transferred from the sinking steamer to places of safety. Two or three small harbor steamers were Boon about the spot, and they brought on the rescued people to Sydney, where the wants of those who were left temporarily destitute, were attended to at the Sailor’s Home and elsewhere. The Centennial was steered as closely as possible to the shore, and Bunk in about six or seven fathoms of water, only a portion of the masts being above water. The force of the collision was undoubtedly terrific, and gome idea of the impact may be formed on an inspection of the bow's of the Kannahooka. This vessel, striking the Centennial stem on, had nearly the whole of her forebows torn away almost as far back as the bulkhead, the plates being torn and twisted up like so many pieces of tinfoil. Altogether the fore part of the collier presents a very delapidated appearance. Captain Millar states that in coming up the harbor he maintained his proper course to the north shore, and distinctly saw the other 'vessel approaching, all he lights showing out clearly. He apprehended danger from the position of the Centennial, and says that he called out to the other captain until he was nearly hoarse. The collision could not be avoided after this, and the Kannahooka met the Centennial on the starboard side, cutting her down to the water’s edge with a great crash. Captain Millar also states that the engines of his ship were quickly reversed, but not in time to reduce her speed. Those on board the Centennial state that just prior' to the collision, when opposite Chowder Bay on Chowder Point, a steamer bound inwards was sighted. The passengers were looking over the rails watching her approach, no thought of danger entering their minds, when a few minutes later a shout went up, “ She’s running down on us,” and although the officers apparently tried hard to avoid the collision, the crash soon followed. The Cooks’ and Stewards’ Union voted £5 to each of the members belonging to the sunken steamer as some compensation for the loss they sustained.