A TOTAL WRECK.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1923, Page 2

A TOTAL WRECK.

STEAMER ARMAGH. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON. December 10. 'Hie steamer Armagh, when leaving Liverpool for Brisbane, grounded on a revetment, near Crosby Light, last: evening. A later report stales that she broke her hack and is now a total wreck. The crew have landed tit Liverpool. The liner Armagh grounded within mi hour of her departure from Liver- ] ooi. Attempts wore*made to refloat her hy steamers and tugs, but they vu’ie of no avail. As the tide receded, her 1 aclt broke. The after part settled, to a considerable depth in the Channel.

Hie crew , numbering 102, a few passengers. and also five stowaways, who made their appearance after the groundin;'. note taken off without the slighted sign of panic. LONDON. December 17.

A hundred seamen, three passengers, five stowaways, singing. "Yes, we are leaving the Arimigh,” to the tune of "Yes, AYe Have No Bananas.” stood huddled on the forecastle of the liner efi'T her hack broke on the Aterscy sandbank. Half the crew had sat down to ten when a grinding, grating sound was heard, and the vessel came t<> ,-i standstill. All lushed on deck, and donned lifebelts, while they tested iveiv expedient to get the ship alloat. Fortunately the .sea was smooth though a i ebb tide made it impossible for tugs to reach the ship. While those aboard were waiting, the liner’s hack broke with a crash, throwing everyone to tlie deck. The funnel was bent, and the wifeless snapped. Fortunately the cloctiie dviiaiiios continued to funetion. so the ship was not plunged in darkness.

When it was seen that the Armagh v.as doomed, her jolly-boat carried alt t , lifeboats, which carried tlie men to a tug. The first to leave were the passengers, who went down the side ol the ship on a Jacobs ladder, formed I>,- the sailors. When the sailors reached Liverpool landing stage, it was three in the morning. They were taken to the Sailors’ Home. Many later came to their homes in London.