SERIOUS SHIPPING DISASTER AT TIMARU.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1048, 19 May 1882, Page 3

SERIOUS SHIPPING DISASTER AT TIMARU.

TWO SHIPS WRECKED. Timaru, May 14. A terrible calamity happened in the harbour to-day. During the night a very heavy sea was running, but increased afterwards, and at 1 o’clock the ship Benvcnue broke adrift. Her crew left in their own boats for the City of Perth. The latter rode by a single hawser until 3.45, when it parted and both are wrecks within a short distance of each other.

Before the City of Perth parted her hawser nil the crew hud left in four boats. The mate had both legs broken by the recoil of the broken cable. Great anxiety was felt for tho safety of the boats, as a heavy sea was running, but all got insido tho breakwater safely. Captain Mills, the harbourmaster, with a full boat’s crow, had gone off, and also two other boats. Captain Mills got on board, but soon afterwards tbo hawser parted and tho three boats left. Nearing tho breakwater a terrific breaking sea swamped one of the hoods, and the two other boats turned back to her rescue. The men could be seen from the shore standing up iu the swamped boat. Hundreds of people witnessed tho accident, and tho excitement was intense. Of the two boats which turned back to the rescue, one got some of tho men from the swamped boat on board, A terrible sea, white with foam, however caught her and swamped her in tin n When the sea passed those loft in the boat were seen stripping their outer clothes. Tho lifeboat was got out and sent to tho rescue, but after getting some on board the same fate overtook her. She was seen to right and to be full of men but they were apparently helpless in face of the terrible seas sweeping into tho harbour. A surfboat, which has gone to the help of tho drowning men is in imminent danger, without being able to do any good. The shore is lined with agonised spectators who are powerless to help. There are no boats left, and men are perishing a few hundred yards off. It is not known how many have have perished as the boats are still heaving in the sea, and no help from the shore is possible. May 15. In oonnectian with yesterdays wrecks the number of those actually drowned has not yet been ascertained ; but another man, Richard Falgar, who leaves a wife and family in Timaru has been added to the list. Possibly two others may be put down as lost, as so many strange sailors and other volunteers went off that it is hard to get the actual number, the majority of the deaths, however, are of Timaru men. Tho gloom which has been thrown over the town could hardly be realised by those at a distance. Subscription lists for the sufferers are opened and are being rapidly filled up. The Masonic Lodges, of which Captain Mihs was an old member, are in deep mourning. The ship Bonyenne is nnw a total wreck, but the City of Perth is afloat at high water I and has apparently suffered no damagej -