DETAILS OF THE DISASTER.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11509, 16 February 1903, Page 5

DETAILS OF THE DISASTER.

A CLOSE SHAVE. VESSEL BEACHED JUST IN TDIE. BRAVERY OF ENGINEERS AND FIREMLHN. (Received February 16th, 12.25 a.m.) bi'DXEY, February 15. The captains of bo.ii veS-wls are reticent as to tue cause of the coLision. A passenger stn.es that he saw the Eurimola -/earing down on the Wakatipu at right angles aboil, fifty yards off. A few .seconds Later he heard the captain say, j "Where are you going to?" Immediately j the telegraph sounded-, and the engines stoppcu. The Eurimola slewed round a little to starboaiu, but too late to avert a collision. The impact was terrific. A stewardess had a narrow escape, her cabin from which ehe got out just in time being smashed to matchwood. The damage to the Eurimbla was principally above the water line. She received a big rent in her bow, but those forward were warned in time and got out of danger. A passenger on the Eurimbla was thrown out of a deck chair by the impact. Wonderful coolness waa displayed by tne passengers of both boats. Captain Livingstone, of the Wakatipu, exhibited splendid coolness in getting the vessel to a place of safety. The vessel lies witih the water flooding the engine <room holds and main saloon. The water police launches were soon on' the scene. The night was clear and moonlight. After the collision the Wakatipu began, to settle down by the stern. The passengers were all on deck. The water was pouring in at a great gap in the port side, and it waa a question whether she would reach shallow water in time. The boata had been swung out, with crews standing by for any emergency. All danger was soon at an end, when the vessel took the mud. "It was only the last kick of the Engines," one of the officers explained, " that saved her. She just had way enough to get into shallow water when the fires went out." The engineers and firemen stuck to their posts to the laat, and then hurriedly made their escape to the deck as the engine-room became flooded. The passengers were immediately transferred to the boats and landed, but when later on it was seen that the vessel remained hard and fast, they returned to the ship, and after daylight landed at the wharf. .