A KNOB OF ROCK.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 783, 5 April 1910, Page 5

A KNOB OF ROCK.

THEORY AS TO THE LOSS OF THE PERICLES,

By Teletcraph-Presß Association—Copyright. Fremantle, April 3. About thirty of tho Periclos's passengers are returning to their homes in preference to completing the voyage to England. ,;.. ■■ •• ; ■ ~ ■ ' . .'.' , Captain Simpson, in a further interview, said the' Pericles was steaming about fourteen knots when the disaster occurred. Tho weather was fine. Thero was a fairly heavy swell. Hβ and the second mate were on the bridge taking bearings. ■ Everything seemed absolutely normal and correct. According to the chart the vessel should have been, in perfeotly safe water." He was following the same route he had taken for years.. ! "I- felt one 'violent 6hock," he said. "That was all. T think we struck a knob of rock, and the force of the impact carried.it away; otherwise tho: vessel would liave-7-but did not—strike' aft. The steamer was' continuing to travel ahead. Though the bulkheads were closed immediately and the pumps started, that availed nothing. There was a big inrush, of .water. A steamer passed not far away, but failed to notice' our signals'of distress/ '; ;, '■■~ ■ ; .'...-.

: "Everybody behaved splendidly. . The maximj 'The women and children first,' was studiously respected. Everything went'off as smoothly, as clockwork." The captain'added. that ho .could 'not too highly praise the women for their pluck and conduct generally. ■■•,-;'.

The wreck ' lies in .about twenty-five fathoms ,of. water. '.There-is• little prospect of salvage..; .- "'■:'', The Pericles's passengers speak in high .terms of praise of- the resourcefulness and forethought of Captain Simpson andhis officers and crew. Immediately after the striking soundings .were taken, the bulkhead doors closed, the pumps started, signals of distress hoisted, and preparations' made, for- getting out- the boats. The captain's orders 'were promptly obeyed. There was no confusion and no panic. . , .'.' . : ■'.-;.