LINER ON ROCKS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 845, 17 June 1910, Page 8

LINER ON ROCKS.

MOTOR-CABS 'AND PIANOS CAST OVEIIBOAKD. PASSENGERS SAVED. During a dense fog at 1.30 a.m. on April 18 til© liner Minnehaha, a twinscrew steamer of 13,413 gross tonnage, owned by the Atlantic Transport Co., Ltd., and bound from New iork to London with 64 passengers on hoard, went ashore near Bryhor, Seilly Islands. The officers had been unablo to take observations for three days. The look-out was eagerly searching for the Bishop's Lighthouse, when rocks were seen ahead. There was a grating sensation, and a minute later tho ship struck. A lifeboat from St. Mary's proceeded to the spot, and the Minnehaha comnmnicated by wireless with Falmouth for tugs." The 'weather at the time was fairly moderate, and all the passengers were landed, with safety with their luggage, arriving at St. Mary's during the morning. Gfreat coolness was shown by thoso on board, and fine discipline was i displayed .while the passengers were being transferred to the boats. In addition to tho passengors, the Minnehaha carried about 200 head of cattle and a heavy general cargo. She was holed amidships, and leaked badly forward. There were 20 feet of water in tho hold, but fortunately tho engine and boiler rooms remained intact. During the day efforts were made to land, the cattle on Sampson Island, and about 100 stewards, firenien, and cattlemen wore landed at St. Mary's. Attempts wore also made to lighten the vessel by throwing overboard some of. the general cargo, consisting of wax, motor-cars, pianos, and machinery. In the courso of an interview one of tho purser's matos said the. weather was very thick when the vessel struck, and they had no sight of land until they found themselves alongside a high crag of rock, probably Maiden Bower or Shipman Head. The captain and officers alilto were perfectly calm, and immediately it was seen that the ves- . sol was making wator boats were lowered. The lady passengors wero moved into them, and afterwards the men., By that time, cwo boats from Bryher had arrived, and tho passengers were piloted ashore, returning .lator for their baggage. . Provisions were also taken away in the boats, as the resources of tho island were somewhat overtaxed. . A curious point about the accident is' that a sailing ship of the same name as" the liner went ashore on the same spot thirty-seven. years ago. On that occasion one man, who attempted to reach land by leaping over the stern, was drowned, whilo the remainder of the crew, who lowered themselves from the jibboom, were all saved. ■