EIGHTY DROWNED.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 596, 26 August 1909, Page 5

EIGHTY DROWNED.

TERRIBLE SCENES. COLLISION OFF MONTE VIDEO. AN EXCURSION STEAMER CUT IN TWO.' (Uy Toleeraph.—Prcsa Association.—Couyrlcht.l (Rec. August 20, 10 p.m.) Monto Video, August 25. A disastrous collision has occurred in. the outer harbour of Monto Video, resulting in tho loss of 80 lives, mostly those of women and children.

Tho Argentine steamer Colombia, an iron vessel of 875 tons, bnilt at Greenock fortynino years ago, collided with tho North Gorman Lloyds steel-screw steamer Schlesien, 6536 tons, built in 1907. The Colombia was bringing excursionists from Buenos Ayr6s, the Argentine capital, to attend the national fote of Uruguay, the neighbouring .State. While entering •, the Monte Video outer harbour at sis o'clock in the morning, she collided with tho Schlesien, and sank.

: Tho Schlesien' was only slightly damaged, but the Colombia was cut in two. The forepart sank almost immediately, but the aft portion remained for a few-minutos above water. ' : '

The majority of tho passengers wore asleep when tho Sohlesien crashed- into the Colombia, and the panic on the latter was terrible. Many, of those rescued were more or less seriously-injured. l , A number of , small steamers hastened to the scene, but a heavy sea and torrents of rain impeded the work of rescue. Of those rescued, the majority were clinging to masts. . In all 80 passengers,, chiefly excursionists, and mostly < women and children, were drowned.'. Those saved numbered 70, and included the captain and the bulk of the crew (who numbered 48). The feto was postponed.