An Appalling Disaster

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 190, 14 February 1896, Page 2

An Appalling Disaster

SENSATIONAL SINKING OF A FERRY STEAMER. NEARLY 100 LIVES LOST. (Per Press Association) Brisbane, Feb. 13. j An appalling disaster happened this i evening owing to a quantity of debris | in the river from the flooded districts I becoming packed against Victoria bridge. , The authorities, recognising that the j structure was thus rendered unsafe stopped the traffic. The residents of South Brisbane were therefore compelled to use the ferry boats in order to cross the river. A few minutes after five, the p.w. steamer Pearl left Queen's wharf for Musgrove wharf, South Brisbane, with about oue hundred passengers. The flood water was running strongly, but uot sufficient to interfere with the handling of the steamer. The vessel bad to drop down stream for a short distance in order to pass between the steamer Normanby and the Government steamer Lucinda. While endeavoring to carry out this the Pearl fouled the Normanby, and drifted broadside on to the anchor chain overhanging the stem of the Lucinda. The Pearl immediately turned over, and within teu seconds disappeared from view, taking her living freight with her. So sudden was the whole affair, that before the crowds of spectators who lined the river banks could realise that the catastrophe had happened, the river was dotted in all directions with men, women and children. Immediately a flotilla of rowing boats put off to the rescue of the unfortunate people. Those on board the Lucinda rescued thirty-eight persons, but it is feared the remainder of those aboard the Pearl were drowned, uuless some who may possibly have been picked up lower down the river. The fireman of the steamer, who swam ' ashore, says he heard no screaming wheu the accident occurred, and thinks the vessel must have carried the bulk of the passengers down with her. Owing to the excitement Jit is impossible at present to ascertain the names of the victims.