SYDNEY HARBOR DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1927, Page 2

SYDNEY HARBOR DISASTER

DIVERS' WORK

18 BODIES HUDDLED IN CABIN

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

SYDNEY, Nov. 4

As tlic diver continues work on the wreckage oi the Grcycliffe, the appalling nature of the disaster is becoming apparent. After finding four bodies, the diver found two more, and was then horrified to see eighteen others huddled in another cabin. Efforts are being made to extricate them but the task is difficult. One examination of the hull shows that it was not cut in half as was thought. It appears that the works were badly smashed. AA’hen the diver commenced operations, he had 1 leen down a few minjjtes when lie nailed for a slate/ upon which lie wrote: “ Have discovered four bodies.” Immediately the rope was lowered, the hotly of a young woman was hauled to the surface. Others were later brought up, the diver having reppatedly to come to the surface owing to the great depth in which he was working. After working all the morning, the diver secured assistance, and both men, working strenuously, discovered further bodies. The work of identification is still slowly proceeding, but it will he some time before the divers will he able to extricate all the bodies so far discovered, from the mass of wreckage in which they are entangled. Captain Carson, the pilot who was on the Tahiti, when interviewed, refused to make any statement in connection with the disaster. Immediately after the collision the Tahiti sent a radio to the Union Company advising of the disaster, and stating that tlic l Tahiti was thoroughly seaworthy, but no official report of events leading up to the disaster were given. SYDNEY, Nov. 4. Harrowing scenes at the landing stage and hospitals continued throughout the night, people searching finrelatives who had not returned home. Altogether there were eighty-six casualties. Twenty-nine are still missing, with the possibility of other names being added to the list. The missing included a number of tourists who are holidaying in Sydney. Tlie following have been added to the critically injured list: James Carrutilers, Airs Alolly Jones, and Dorothy Sully. Naval officials now report that eight and not twelve naval ratings are missing. Divers at work on the wreckage hitherto have found four bodies. Captain AVilliams was wrongly included in the list of missing. He returned home safely.

CANBERRA, Nov. 4. In the House, Air Coleman askecl the Minister for Trade and Customs, whether it was a fact that the Tahiti had been allowed to sail for San Francisco without a statement being taken from the officers in charge.

Air Flatten replied lie had no information on the matter, but would endeavour to get advice from Sydney.

DEAD NUMBER THIRTY.

TWENTY-NINE STILL AIISSING

(Received this day at 8 a.m.)

SYDNEY, Nov. 5

There are now thirty bodies in the morgue as a result of the ferry disaster and twenty-nine passengers are still missing. Diving operations have ceased until to-morrow. Divers experienced great difficulty at times, having to hack their way with tomahawks through the wreckage to the bodies. So far'all tho dead have been recovered from the forepart of the ferry. It is feared there may be more in the after section.

All ferries are passing the scene with flags half-masted and at reduced speed, as a token of respect to the dead.

So many bodies were recovered that a temporary morgue has been established where the bodies were brought ashore, and large crowds of relatives of the missing passengers are waiting out.sido this all day. Identification is proceeding slowly.

Additional dead identified are: C. Bloom, Valc-luse; Betty Benson, Yal-c-luso; ATrs Alary Corby and daughter Aloreen, aged six; Agnes Hill, a schoolgirl, of Valcluse; Dr Lee-Brown, Prisons’ Medical Officer; R. Mitchell, Bondi; E. Day, surgeon: Lieut. Commander Paradioe; Dr 0. W. Reed. Chief Quarantine Officer; A. H. Stephens, Watson’s Bay; R. Wright, Abdel use; R. Forkes.

Additional missing are: E. Connors. Aliss Frost, W. .Tones, Airs Ca.ssie Jones R. Lankshire, 11. Stiles, ATrs R. Smith. Betty Lawrence, AA T . Barry. J. Carroll. R. Forbes, F. Hedges, E. Thomas. The total casualties are now ninetysix, including thirty dead.