FIRST STORIES BY THE SURVIVORS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 240, 28 June 1918, Page 6

FIRST STORIES BY THE SURVIVORS

SCENES ON BOARD THE STRICKEN STEAMER SPLENDID BEHAVIOUR.OF ALL Auckland, Juna 27. ■Amongst the first batch of survivors from the Wimmera who landed at Tom Bowline's Bay was Mr.. Tucker, of Melbourne, a well-known worker in aid of the Australian Patriotic Association's objects. . An interesting account /it tho experiences of the party was telegraphed to the "Herald" by Mr. Tinker tins evening. Ho states that prior to the Wimmera being sunk two distinct explosions occurred. Tho lights were extinguished in. two minutes, but there was :io panic amongst the pisseugers or crew. ' the women n"<l children behaved magnificently," he savs, "The vessel kept on an even'keel for"fifteen minutes, and then settled bv the stern. Finally lier Ixws rose about fiflv feot in I he air and the vessel plunged. The Wininiona was /struck near Ihe stern, and the social hall wns smash-id to pieces, iliejuct. that the vessel kept an even kcci tor some lime, ami that the wind was making towards the land helped materially to lei6o.il the magnitude of the disaster. It was a moonlight night, with a fair sea running. Fato of the Captain, "The captain, first /-.Hirer, chief steward, and several o( : ic. - •.••.'iii.-.ined on ihe vessel- t(i the lost, aid apparently went down with her. Four pen.-.to were rescued from the sot, including the cue; engineer, who we.s washed oh Ihe deck as the steamer sank. One boat was swamped and olio was stove in. the difficulties that arose in the case of perse ns getting clear of the vessn were principally due to inability to get on deck after the lights went out. Ono fain-

ily of eleven and one of seven were all suved. Fourteen stewards nnd .ill tho stewardesses are missing from the first party of four boatloads of persons that were landed at Tom Bowline's Bay. Must of tlio stOTirds who were saved were compelled 10 clamber through a skylight. A. greaser who was in the tunnel at the lime of the explosion was saved. Several of those who were the earliest to reach the deck were amongst those not included in the fair boats thai leached Tom Bowline Bay: • Timely Assistance. "Timely assistance was rendered by Hie trawlers in the vicinity. The 84 persons in the four boats, most of whom were clad in their night attire, and werewithout boots, received welcome assistance on landing from Mr. Murdock Munro, sheep farmer. After having walked and crawled over eight miles on rough hill country they were shown even- kindness by Mr. Mtniro and tlio Maori residents in the vicinity. After tho arrival at Mr. Munro's station tlio assistant purser, accompanied by a Maori, rodo 17 miles to tele'gr.aph the news. All the members of the party are well, but footsore and tired. Every kindness has been shown to them by the residents of the Parcngarengn district. Mr. C. Wilson, the second olhcer oi the Wimmera. reports that when tho disaster occurred a vessel was dispatched to the scene. Commander Kiely and Mr. Wilson and a party rounded Tom Bowline's Bay, and followed tho survivors ten mhos to Mr. Munro's station with brandv nnd provisions, blankets, etc. The survivors were transhipped by a launch to Te Haptm to await the return of the steamer Waictahi, by means of which they will proceed to Auckland. The women and children, who are in good spirits, are being well cared tor bv tho residents of Te Ilapua and Parengarenga. Tho survivors in this party comprise 31 adults, 10 children, and 44 members of the crew. The Second Batch of The Huddiirt-Parker Company announces that one boat, containing 30 people, landed at Tom Bowline's Bay, and another, containing DO, reached Mangonui. Later news from Mangonui announces thb antral of a boat-load of survivors who were blown clear of North Capo and drifted down the coast, making for Kuimora Beach. The names available of those on board arc-.—Mrs. Jones, Mis;; Jones, Mrs. Dunn, —. Bruce, W. Murdock, —. Shaws, J. M'Cartiiey, —. Icelay, Mr. Graham, S. Yates, Mr. Griinsiiaw, and one seaman.