FOUNDERING OF AN ORIENT LINER AT SYDNEY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1073, 17 November 1882, Page 3

FOUNDERING OF AN ORIENT LINER AT SYDNEY.

Sydney, November 11. The O ient steamship Austral, lying at anchor in harbour in Neutral Bay, soik in deep water at 4 o’clock this morning. She had been coaling, and this had given her a list to starboard The port holes hail been left open, and the water rushed in and the vessel gradually sank in forty-five feet of water. Her masts and funnels are now alone visible. There was a dense fog in the harbour hj i morning. Directly the Austral began to fill the coal lighters moored alongside were quickly detached to provide refuge for the Austral’s crew, who rushed out almost nude. The officers and men lost everything. The gi eater part of the inward cargo by the Austral had been discharged. The cause of the sinking of the Austral is now doubtful. The theory that the portholes were open is not believed. It is deemed most probable that a large valve near the bibe wa* left open. It is said that the pusor and engineers are missing, but it is not certain that they were on board. Divers are now examining the vessel. Later. Tho Austral’s position is unchange I, The divers hive been at work and have recovered the ho lies of five persons who were on board when the vessel sunk. Mr Perkin", purser, and one of the engineers were among the number. The o her three whose bodies have been recovered were seamen. Tho inquest upon tho bodies of the men who were drowned by the sinking of tho Austral was resumed to-day. Captain Murdoch was examined at length, hut ho was un ible to account in any way for tho foundering (f the vessel. The divers have continued their examination of the ship, but they have not recovered any more bodies, ami the fate of iho Lascar fir men who it is believed were drowned is still unknown.