SHIPPING CASUALTIES AT GALLE,

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1645, 12 November 1873, Page 2

SHIPPING CASUALTIES AT GALLE,

[ARGUS. ] The P. and O. Co.'s R.M.S.S. Nubia, which some time ago broke her screw shaft when about 130 miles from Point de Galle, left Galle for Bombay on the sth ult, in tow of the Company's steamer Columbian. On leaving harbor, however, the latter touched on some rocks, and in backing off fouled the Nubia, smashing her bowsprit and doing other damage. The Columbian had her bulwarks damaged, and also the funnel and steampipe, but as she was making no water, she proceeded on to Bombay, and the s.s Baroda then took the Nubia in tow and arrived at Bombay on the 12th ult, without accident.

The screw steamship Agra, 2200 tons, of the Red Cross Line, and in command of Captain Gibbs, while .on her passage from Calcutta to London, anchored ac the entrance of Galle Harbor, at nine a.m. on the sth ult., and almost immediately after the cable of the , starboard anchor parted at the hawse pipe, and the steamer swinging to on her second anchor, struck the rocks aft and broke her screw. While thus disabled she struck heavily amidships, filled and sank in twenty, minutes. All the passengers and crew were saved . except one invalid sailor. She had on board a quantity of Indian teas, and 9 number of wild brasts, birds, &c, valued at L4OOO, belonging to Jamrach, of London. ; The P. and O. Co.'s steamer Massilia, which was at anchor close to the Agra, immediately lowered her boats and saved some of the passengers and crew, and also one elephant, one tiger, and some cobras. The tiger escaped and knded at Buona Vista, opposite the town, but was shot three days after by the Government agent.