THE RIO JANEIRO WRECK.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 26 March 1901, Page 3

THE RIO JANEIRO WRECK.

A Brave Collected Captain

Wont Down Calmly at His Post.

Per Press Association.]

Wellington, This Day. San Francisco news to March 7th states: —

The wreck of the steamer Rio Janeiro just within the golden gate is still a vivid horror. The vessel wvs two days late from Hong Kong. About 530 a.m., she struck the rock and went to the bottom in 10 minutes.

Most of the passengers were asleep, and went down with the ship. Among these were Captain Ward, who, if responsible for the disaster, by error of judgment atoned as best ho could by his brave conduct and fearlets death. Four boats were lowered, but only two cleared the sinking ship with passengers. The officers were cool and all stood to their post. Suddenly the ship lurched forward and sank shaken above water by a terrible explosion. A grey fog closed on the boats which were making heroic efforts to save human beings struggling in the water as they drifted towards the open sea beyond the roach.

A fisherman hero managed to tow ashore a life boat with eighteen survivors It is said that of 207 people on the steamer 80 were saved.

Ward was a well trained efficient officer. His last order to the frantic men rushing about trying to save themselves was “For God’s sake men save women” Ho was seen standing quietly on the bridge as the ship took her final plunge. The passengers remember the captain’s firmness in restraining the pilot when he wished to go ahead in a fog. It is claimed by some shipmasters that in such a position when a fog came down it was even choice whether she would bo safer at anchor or making an effort to reach a safer position.