The Fatal Steamer Collision

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 69, 11 December 1886, Page 2

The Fatal Steamer Collision

LBy Electrio Telegraph.— Copjrigbt.l , [BBUTBB's TBLRGBAMS.T Sypnry, December 9. The Keilawarra's orew numbered 25 all told. The total loss of life] numbers 43, made up as follows : — 25 passengers, the captain and 1 1 of the crew of the Keilawarra, and 6 of the crew of the Helen Nicholl. All the mates and engineers of the Keilawarra were saved. McGrade, the Victorian jockey, was also drowned. ■ It is feared that both Mr and Mrs Wilson have perished with the wreck of the Keilawarra. The Australasian is bringing the Helen Nicholl to Syd<ley. The steamers Lawrence and Gamecock have gone to meet them. It is expected they will arrive tomorrow morning;. December 10. Mr John McDonald, drowned in the Keilawarra, was a brother to McDonald, manager of the Union Bank at Nelson. Miss Calder is a daughter of Captain Calder of the Keilawarra. The Scheipper family, who were all lost, but recently returned from Germany, were proceeding to Marlborough. The steamer Helen Nicholl arrived from Trial Bay this morning with the passengers. A great crowd met her at the wharf, and much excitement prevailed. The Keilawarra was struck amidships, close to the engine-room, the retreat from the saloon was cut off. Captain Calder referred to in the last telegram, was Captain of the steamer Victoria, not Keilawarra. The greater number of the Keilawarra's passengers, who were brought to Sydney this morning by the Helen Nicholl, were in a most exhausted oondition. Heatrending scenes took place at the wharf on the arrival of the vessel. From the statement of the survivors it appears that at the time the collision took place the weather was rather hazy, though up to that time the weather had been clear. The collision is described as something terrible, the wildest confusion prevailing on both vessels, and the ladies on board the Keilawarra running about in a state of perfect bewilderment. A boat was lowered from the Keilawarra, but was instantly rushed, and went down with twenty people in it, several of whom failed to regain the ship. When that vessel sank most heartrending cries were raised as the Keilawarra was thought to be the safer vessel. When the ships parted many of those on board the Helen Nicholl attempted to jump on board the Keilawarra, but failed to reach her. Those *ho lost their lives on board the Helen Nicholl were crushed to death while asleep in their bunks. Later. No one on board either vessel appears to have seen the approaching lights, but when the situation was grasped the passengers on board the Keilawarra behaved in the most frantic manner, and a distressing scene took place, women and children shrieking with fear. A number of men rushed the boats heedless of the captain, who cried shame on their cowardcie. The total loss of life amounts to 41.