FOG DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1923, Page 3

FOG DISASTER.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. U.S.A. NAVAL DISASTER. VIVID RETAILS. NEW YORK, Sept. HE Ah inquiry lifts been ordered into the loss of tho U.S.A. destroyers, which is regarded ns the most 11111117.1110 accident in American naval history. Heavy sens continued to-day, crashing the hulls to pieces. Tiie destroyers were running at 20 knots per hour, following: the Delpliy. All piled up, like sheep following a leader ns each was steering by the light Oil tbo boat ahead. They had believed themselves eight miles off the shore. The officers assort they were the victims of a new, treacherous, 1111chartcrccl current.

There arc 22 dead still aboard the Vaunt;. who were caught in their bunks when the ship capsized. After the Delpliy struck, it was only an instant until the Young rammed behind her. The Delphv’s propeller was still racing and caught the Young in the how, and aided by a big swell, kicked her over.

The Chnunecy, the next in the line, bad a slight warning, and ordered full speed astern, hut too late. 'l’ho Young's propeller ripped her side open.

Four others repeated the same performance. The rapid disappearance of i.ie lights warned If other destroyers behind.

They all then stood off shore. The sens were too high to launch lifeboats. Everybody remained aboard till .Sunday morning, when seaman Carter, the hero of the occasion, piloted a raft 18 times between the ships and the shore, through a raging surl. Boatswain Peterson swain -10 yards through rocks from the Noting to the Chaiincey. carrying a lileline, over •whic.i 70 comrades clainhered hand-over-hand ashore. CONSEQUENCE OK ’QUATvKS. WASHINGTON, Sept. H. The theory of a high naval official is that a tidal wave or other sesniio disturbance, reacting iron) the Japanese earthquake, caused the disaster to the destroyer division on the Californian coast. Til E FOCI DISASTER. CUBA A TOTAL LOSS. (Deceived this day at 9.00 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 11. The passengers and the crew of tlio liner Cuba have all been saved. Ike bullion cargo, worth tvo and a half million dollars, lias been salvaged. The liner is breaking up and is a total loss ns is also the ordinary cargo, worth three hundred thousand dollars The casualties from the wrecked destroyers stand of twenty-nine dead, three adrift on one rnf\ and thirteen severely injured.