HARROWING DETAILS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 6 January 1909, Page 5

HARROWING DETAILS.

Received January 5, 11.5 p rii

SYDNEY, January 5.

An cfficcr of the Encounter states that it appeared as if the boat was tuddenly folded together- by the force of the collision and then the slides went lack again to their places. He' •thought it was flossible that the men in the centre of the boat were squeezed in such a way that they sank at once. The hole in the boat is three feefc in width and three feet in depth. AH three drowned, were between 19 and 21 years of ago.

Another eye witness states that the boat seemed to bo sucked, under the steamer, which passed right over it. He saw several throw up their hands *md sink before assistance could reach them. The towing launch, although ■crowded with marines, did excellent rescue work and many "men reached&he upturned boat and clung to her and helped others .•on to the bottom, but the weight was too much and she sank under them. The respite? thus gained, however, was valuable and enabled the ipscut) boats t:> reach them. It is now rfcatxl th.it the men were not carrying -the. ammunition, but it was stowed'in boxes at the bottom of the beat.

The funerals will be held to-morrow Received January G, 1.15 a.m. SYDNEY, January 5. Marsh's 'bod}'-has been recovered.