EXCURSION SHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1930, Page 5

EXCURSION SHIP

SUNK BY EXPLOSION, x* MANY MISSING. L United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. ] NEW YORK, December 14. News from Miami Beach, Florida, states that one hundred persons were rescued, and three bodies were recov ered ifrom the scene of an explosion on board a glass-bottomed excursion boat, the “Eureka II.” When she left there on Sunday she had 135 persons on board. The police reported that approximately 130 persons were thrown, or jumped, into the water with a sudden explosion and fire on the glass bottomed excursion boat “Eureka 11.’ The disaster occurred off Bug Light fifteen miles south of Miami Beach. The yacht “Dorothea” rushed to the scene,' and rescued thirty people whom she brought to Miami. The remainder of the passengers—men, women and children —according to the “Dorothea’s” crew were left swimming about in the, early darkness, attempting to save themselves. Coastguard boats hurried to the scene. Tito Dorothea’s owner told pitiful stories of the passenger attempting to board his ship,. \vllereon, he snid “wo took ji every ■ person we possibly could carry without sinking,’/ He stnted that a man, holding a child in his arms, swam up and begged “Don’t save me, but save the child.” But the yacht was already virtually overloaded. LATER. It is reported that other boats quickly reached the scene, and rescued approximately one hundred out of the 135. They also found three bodies. There are .about forty not accounted 'for. The rescuing craft reported that after the passengers were tossed into the water by the first explosion, many attempted to return to the blasted vessel, due to the, fear of sharks. Then a 'second terrific explosion occurred, driving them again into the sea as the ship foundered, The man' and baby, reported by the “Dorothea,” were later saved. Owing to the darkness and general confusion, however, it is impossible to determine the total casualties. The disaster occurred near the shore. LATEST REPORT. this dav at 8.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, December 15. A message from Miami Beach states one hundred and twenty-five were rescued, three bodies recovered and seven persons are missing, as a result of the Eureka explosion, FURTHER RAHTiCUURS. (Received tW« dnv at 19.25. p.m.l NEW YORK, Hoc. 15. A message from Miami Beach states:—Four are dead and on e missing as a, result of the Eureka disaster.