TERRIBLE SHIPPING CALAMITY AT TIMARU.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2527, 15 May 1882, Page 3

TERRIBLE SHIPPING CALAMITY AT TIMARU.

WRECK OF THE BBNYENUB AND THB CITY OF PERTH. SEVERAL LIVES LOST. [By Telegraph.] TI MARTI, May 14.

This afternoon a terrible calamity happened to the ships Benvenue and City of Perth, resulting in their total wreck, and also in the loss of several lives. During the night a heavy sea was running, but it moderated about eight o’clock this morning, but again increased afterwards. At one o’clock the Benvenue broke adrift, and the crew then, in their own boats, left her, and tried to reach the City of Perth. The last mentioned vessel rode by a single hawser, and continued to do so till 3.45 p.m., when the hawser parted.

Both wrecks arc within a short distance of each other.

Before the City of Perth parted her hawser all the crew left in their own boats. The mate had both legs broken by the recoil of the cable. Great anxiety waa felt for the safety of the boats, as a heavy sea was running. All, however, succeeded in safely getting inside the breakwater.

Soon afterwards Oapt. Mills, harbormaster, with a full boat’s crew, put off from the shore, as also did two other boats. Oapt, Mills got aboard one of the vessels, but soon after the hawser parted and the three boats left to return to the shore. When they had nearly reached the breakwater the sea waa breaking heavily, and one of the boats was swamped by a terrific wave. The other two boats turned back to her rescue. At this time from the shore the men could be seen standing up in the swamped boat.

The excitement was intense, as the accident was witnessed by hundreds of people. When the two boats returned to the rescue one of them succeeded iu getting some of the men from the swamped boat on board. A terrible sea, white with foam, now caught her and again swamped her. When the sea had passed, those who had been left in her wore seen stripping.

A lifeboat was now got out and sent to the rescue, but after getting some on board, the same fate overtook her. She was seen to right and to be full of men, but apparently helpless.

A terrible sea was now sweeping into the harbor, and a surf-boat which had been sent to the help of the drowning men was in imminent danger, and was not able to do any good.

The shore was lined with sgonised spectators, who wore powerless to afford any help. No boats were left, and men were perishing a few hundred yards away. It is not known how many perished, as the boats are still heaving on the sea, and no help from the shore is possible. It is feared that all will be lost, as darkness is rapidly coming on. The Benvenue is high and dry at low tide She had nothing but ballast—five hundred tons of coal. She is insured in the Standard Company. The City of Perth had on board 6000 sacks of wheat, belonging to the New Zealand Grain Agency 00. It is believed that she is insured. Both vessels lie in Caroline Bay, The presence of a tug boat would have insured the safety of both ships, and no live ß would have been lost. Later. The lifeboat has just come in, with Captain Mills and Bill Oollis, of the Harbor Board Co., and Swan, a brave old Yarmouth boatman. These are safe, and tome others, apparently in numbers not exceeding her own crew. Four boats were involved in the disaster, and their crews must have numbered not fewer than thirty men. The eurf boat is still out helpless. The lifeboat, with a fresh volunteer crew of brave fellows, is just going to her rescue.

It is impossible to say how many lives are lost, but it is conjectured that they number from six to twelve. The men who went out in the lifeboat the first time were nearly exhausted, being carried up to the Royal Hotel in blankets, and were vociferously applauded by the spectators, who numbered two or three thousand. It is now ebb tide, and a fearful sea is breaking in the harbor. There is intense anxiety respecting the safety of the surf boat, as it is almost dark, and it has apparently lost all its oars. 6 p.m. r i The lifeboat has just returned with part o the crew of the surf boat. A heavy sea struck the lifeboat and she capsized, but lost none of her crew. She was compelled, however, to leave the surf boat, which still had three or four men on board. A fresh crew has gone off.

Captain McDonald, of the City of Fertl’i sustained an accident and is weak. Captain Mills is very much exhausted.

The lifeboat was grandly handled —the first time by Jack Molntosh, coxswain, and by George Findley the second time.

It is reported that seven or eight lives have been lost.