S.S. WIMMERA SUNK.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1918, Page 3

S.S. WIMMERA SUNK.

THE MISSING

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT!

AUCKLAND, This Day

Tho missing passengers from the Wimmera are Misses Jones, Savegh, Greenwood, Browning, A Wylie, Watson, T. O. Schuberg, Street, Peter, E. M. V. Barnett.

Mesdames Jines, Oibliu (and two children), V. McLoan, McDonald (and child), Burt. Messrs Mo wet t, H. Graham, W. J. Mube, Jones (two), Giblin, M. C. Hoddor, R. J. Elliott, F. C. Rand, H. B. Kennedy, Peter Joso, San Pedro, Manuel Snnudo.

The following are missing of the ship’s company:—ll. J. Keel (Master), A. Nichol (Chief Officer), A. Brookes, (third), S. Collier (second Engineer), D. Mowatt (fourth), H. Verge (Chief Steward), A. Bommatt (wireless), M. Hawkswood (Assistant-Purser), E. Newton, C. McMillan, J. Robertson (all Stewardesses), J. Mulvenna, B. Benson, A. Geary, Donaghy, (all able seamen), E. Martin, (ordinary seamen), J. D. Beaumil, W. Brems, C. Neil, g- Hawkes, J. FanningW. Murdoch, F. Tildsby (all firemen), F. Graham (greaser), J. MeCorney, \V. Roper, L. Henningaen, F. McGreve (all trimmers, W.Smeed, C. Woodward, J. Blaclcboiough, R. Savillo IT. Butler, K. .Greaves, J, Forsyth, (all Stewards), C. Crossa (night-watchman), E. Gamble (pantryman), T. Grimshaw, E. Edwards (Cooks), S. Yates (baker).

PARTICULARS OF DISASTER A SURVIVOR’S ACCOUNT.

AUCKLAND, June, 27. Amongst the first batch of survivors from tho Wimmera, who landed at Tom Bowling Bay, is Mr. Tucker, 0.8. E. of Melbourne, a well-known worker in aid of the Australia Patriotic Association objects. An interesting account of tho experiences of the party was telegraphed to the “Herald”’ by Mr Tucker this evening. Mr Tucker states that prior to the Wimmera being sunk, two distinct explosions occurred ’ and all lights were extinguished in i two minutes, but. there was no panic j amongst the pnssengers or crew. The | women and children behaved magnifij cently, and the vessel kept an even keel : for fifteon minutes, and Then settled •by tho stern. Finally her bows row* , about 60 foot, in tho air and the vessel | plunged. Tho vessel was struck near the stern and the social hall wag smashed to pieces. j The fact that the vessel kept an even I keep for some time, and that the ! wind was making towards her, helped | materially to lessen the magnitude of the disaster.

i It was moonlight with a fair sea. The Captain, First Officer, Chief Steward remained on the vessel to the last, and apparently went down wit!, her Four people were rescued from +’■ sea, including the Chief Engineer who was washed off the dock when the steamer sank. One hoot, was swamped and one was stove in. The difficulties that arose in persons getting clear of the vessel were principal due to the inability to get on

dock after the lights Trent out, " One family of eleven and one of seven were all saved.' Fourteen stewards and all the stewardesses were missing from the first parly of four boatloads of persons that were landed at Tom Bowling Bay. ' The rest of the stewards who were saved wore compelled to clamber through a skylight. A greaser who waß in tho tunnel at the time of the explosion was saved. Several of those who were the earli- j est to reach the deck who were amongst j those not included in the four boats ■ that reached Tom Bowling Bay. ! Timely assistance was rendered by ; the trawlers in the vicinity. 1 j The 84 persons in the four boats, 1 most of whom were clad in their night i attire, and wore without boots received i welcome assistance on landing from IV: Murdock Munroe, a sheep farmer. After having walked and crawled ovc*- | 8 miles on rough hill country they ; were shown every kindness by Mr Miniroe, and the Maori residents in the vicinity. After the arrival at Mr Munroe’s station, the assistant, purser acompanied by a Maori rode 17 miles to telegraph the news. All 'the members of the party are well but footsore and tired. Every kindness has booh shown them 1 by the residents of the Parenga dis- 1 fcrict. 1

SECOND OFFICER’S VERSION

Mr. C. Wilson, the second officer, of the Wimmera, reports that when the disaster occurred, a vessel was despatch ed to the scene. Commander Kiely and Mr. Wilson and a party rounded Tom Bowling’s Bay, and followed the surviv- j ors ten miles to Mr. Munroe’s station, ! with brandy and provisions, blankets, j etc., and the survivors were transhipped by a launch to Tehapua, to await the return of the steamer Waiotahi, by means of which they will proceed to Auckland.

Tho women and children who are in good spirits, are being well cared for by the residents of Tehapua and Parengarenga.

The survivors in this party comprise 34 adults. 16 children, and members of the crew.

ANOTHER ROAT ARRIVES. The Huddart Parker announce that another boat containing thirty people landed at Tom Bowling’s Bay, and another containing thirty reached Monga_ nui.

Later news from Monganui announeeos tho arrival of a boat load of survivors. who wore blown clear of the North Cape and drifted down the Coast making the Karamanai Beach'. The names available of those on .board are:—Mrs Jones, Miss Jones, Mrs Dunn, Bruce, W. Murdoch, Shaws, J. McCarthy, Icelay, Mr. Graham, S. Yates. Mrs Grimshaw and one seaman.

FURTHER NEWS. AUCKLAND, June 27th. Two Northern Company’s vessels the Clansman and the Waiothi, were despatched to the scene, as soon as the news of tho disaster was received, nml are still searching for survivors. The Clansmen left Whangaroa at 6.45 this morning, and should reacli the scene at 2 p.m. The Waiotahi was despatched from Houhora at 1 p.m. and should reach the locality at three p.m. Four boats have, landed.

At tho instance of the Deputy Mayor the Secretary of tho Parenga Gumfiields Company H. Gilfillan, wired to the manager at Parenga, requesting him to supply provisions, and to do all possible for the survivors. PARTICULARS OF OFFICERS. Thes following particulars of the officers are available here.:— IT. J. Kells, Captain, lias been on tho New Zealand and Australian run for a long time. He has a wife and two children who reside at Auckland. A. Nicholas. Chief Officer, recently joined the Wimmera, having been previously aboard the Zealnndia in the

West Australian run. Ho is married. Ilis wife is residing in Sydney. C. Wilson, Second Officer, joined on the previous trip replacing Thurston. A Paxton, Chief Engineer, was making his first trip, having relieved Morris. who had boon Chief for some time. Kenneth Oorrie, purser, is an Aucklander, with several relations residing in the City. • M. Hawkswood, assistant purser , is also an Aucklander. I). Mowatt-,, Fourth Engineer is a native of Wellington. As the Wimmera is rtn Australian ship most of the crew are unknown here. Martin, an ordinary seaman, is also an Au cklander. VALUABLE RACEHORSES LOST Five thoroughbred horses were shipped by tho Wimmera, and ns there was no insurance on them their loss is severe.

Messrs W. G. 11. Casy sent Informal and Demohic. Mr A. Cotter shipped Hymeona, Lady Jack and Deep Jack. Informal was the leading two-year-old last season and his three-year-old career was full of promise. Hymeona was recently purchased by Mr Cotter for 1000 guineas and Lady Jack, for it is stated 275 guineas.

30 MORE ACCOUNTED FOR. The Secretary, of the General Post Office has been advised by the Postmaster at Mongonua as follows: —A native school teacher, at Taemnro, on the the const, four miles east of Mangonuo, came in at 8.30. p.m. He reports that four survivors are in his house and about 2(5 on the beach. A McKay, a storekeeper, is here with his launch, and a relief party has left to pick up thoso on the beach. The names known are:—Mrs Dunne, ’('om Grimshaw, Mr and Mrs Jones, Bruce, Tom Graham, Muldoeh, Howels, a seaman, John McCarthy, Y. McLea, S. Yates. But the names are roughly written on a slip of paper. The soil is calm, will report eventualities later.

FURTHER PARTICULARS,

AUCKLAND. Thio L).v

The Star's Pnrenga dorreapondent wires that the Wimmera’s survivors stfute the steamer was shattered by an explosion towards tho stern, which completely wrecked the sodial hall and part of the bathing accommodation The Wimmera settled quickly on an even keel. Hie failure of the lights within tivo minutes mode the work of leaving the ship difficult. Within thirty minutes she went down by the stern, carrying a considerable portion of the passengers and crew. Four' boats were launched, one other being stove and one swamped. All the survivors are well and in excellent spirits. Many instances of coolness and grit are told. The crow are enthusiastic about the splendid courage of fHo women and children. A number of the survivors will arrive in Auckland to-morrow.