Turned Turtle.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 248, 28 October 1901, Page 2

Turned Turtle.

TERRIBLE STORY OF A BLACK SEA WRECK.

A UEM.uiKAiiLK story of the capsizing of a steamship is told by a Norwegian sailor, wiio is believed to be the solo survivor of the steamship Noraumore, and who has arrived in Constantinople. The steamer was one of a class known as “ Whalebacks,” a large ship with a convex deck, and employed for carrying petroleum in cases. The Norwegian’s story is that, having taken in a cargo at Batoum, she started on her voyage, and that all went ‘well until next night, August 25th. The night was calm. The narrator was at the wheel when, observing that the ship had taken a list to starboard, he received the order to put the helm “hard over,” so as to check the list, but it had no effect. The list gradually increased, and in ten minutes became so great that all hands came on deck, and endeavored to take to the boats. This, however, on account of |the list, was difficult. Two boats were lowered, hut before they could be loosened from the falls the list increased with great rapidity, and the steamer turned turtle, dragging the two boats and their occupants with them. A third boat managed to get clear. The survivor leaped overboard as the ship turned over, and swam towards the boat into which lie was taken.' He found eight men in it. None of the remainder of the crew were ever seen again. The nine men were in a so-called lifeboat, which was kept altoat by air-tight compartments, but from which they wore unable to empty the water. She kept just afloat at the hows and the stern. The men got out of her into the sea to endeavour to empty her, but failed, and they had to sit half in and half out of the water. They were without food or water, and with only one oar. When daylight broke they could see land, but were unable to mako any progress towards it. During the next three days seven of the men one after another became mad, jumped overboard, and were, of course, drowned. The eighth took up a loose plank, and, saying that he would try to get ashore, swam off, and nothing is known of his fate. On the fourth day a small sailing craft picked up the ninth man and only survivor. The poor fellow is very weak, covered with sores duo to his continued immersion in salt water, and at the time of his rescue he had almost lost consciousness. He is now being cared for in the British Seamen’s Hospital.