SERIOUS SHIPPING DISASTER

Dunstan Times, Issue 1266, 4 June 1886, Page 3

SERIOUS SHIPPING DISASTER

WRFCK OF THE LY EH MOON ON THE COAST OF NS. W ALES.

SEVENTY LIVES LOST. Sydney, May 31. ■- News came to hand this morning of a serious marine disaster which occurred on tho New South Wales Coast last night. Tho steamer Ly ee-Moo", 1200 tons, belonging to the Australian Steam Navigation Company, which left Melbourne for Sydney on Saturday evening, had proceeded as far as Green Cape, a little to the northward of Cape Howe, when she struck on an outlying point and became a wreck. Particulars to baud are only of a meagre nature, hut so f»r as can he learned ouly fifteen persona have been saved. Melbourne, May 31. News is to hand by telegraph from the ligh’housekeeper at Gabo Island stating that the Ly-ee-moon struck on a reef near Green Cape at .one a.m. yesterday. She has completely broken up. No details are to hand, but it is stated that so far only 10 persona are know.l to be saved. The following passengers were hooked for Sydney on Saturday : Mesdames MTntyre, Ellis, H Adams and family, Gardner, Coghill, M’Killop, Campbell, Child and infant, Jennings, and Hamilton, Misses Hamilton. Rev. W. Poole, Messrs A. Smith. W. Johnstone, D. C. Harris, J. Uox. E. G. Holmes, 0. G. Bradley, A. Graham, A. M ‘Gregor, H. Lumsden, John A. Buckley ; and 27 in the steerage. The followin'are the names of the five passengers who hive been saved:—Rev. W. Poole, Messrs Harris, Lumsden, Smith, and Master Henry Adams.

The crew saved include the captain and first officer, whose names ar ■ not given ; Hutchinson, second mate ; Fother.nghain, third mate; Thompson, chi-f steward ; Thorpe, boatswain ; Robertson, carpenter ; M’Nally, Johnston, Durgland, and Tyrell, seamen.

The Ly-ee-moon struck on a reef close under the lighthouse, at 9.30 a.m. yesterday. The loss of life is estimated at 70 persons. The estimate is continued by a message from the special correspondent of the Argus. Sydney, May 31. So far as can be ascertained there were 30 saloon passengers drowned from the Ly-ee-moon be-ides the crew. The total loss of life is expected to 'each between 70 and 80.

Melbourne, May 31. 4 p.m. Additional particulars are to hand with reference to the wreck of the Ly ec-moon. The wind during Sunday evening was west south west, the night being fine and clear with a high sea running. The Ly-ee-moon prssel Cape Howe at 8.15 p.ra. one mile distant from the shore. After round ng the point a course was set due north. Mr Cotheringham, second officer, was in charge of the vessel, and the captain ordered him to call him when nearing Green Cape. The light was good. Upon the captain being calla l , he found the vessel heading straight for the reef and so close to lbs shore it wss impossible to avoid danger. Within ten minutes of tho ship’s striking sho parted amidships, the afterpart remaining stationary on the reef, while the bow-part drifted ahorewards. Tho seas were making a complete breach over both portions of the ve-ssl. All those who were saved were in the fora part of the ship, and were landed with the aid of a rope worked by the lighthouse-keeper and assistants.

The five saloon passengers saved, as well as tho members of the crew rescued, were in the forepart of the vessel, the only loss of life from that portion being one lady, who perished while attempting to reach shore, and a youth who died from exposure. The captain was the last to leave the wreck. All the remaining saloon passengers perished, it being impossible to lender them any assistance. At daybreak the whole after part of the ship had disappeared. Green Cape light shone brightly at the time of the accident. A steamer left Sydney in the morning in order to take ou board those who were saved.