Accident to the s.s. Jubilee.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 12 November 1891, Page 2

Accident to the s.s. Jubilee.

The s.s. Jubilee returned to Sydney on Tuesday, having been out a week. The captain reported that when about half way on her journey she ran into a terrific gale, and heavy seas took charge of the vessel, breaking high over all.

As the gale increased in violence the waves swept the ship, and huge quantities of water poured down the stokehole extinguishing four out of six furnaces. The situation had now become critical, as the vessel was scarcely able to steam against the suorm. The bilge pump became choked, Svnd some of the passengers set to wot:k to assist the firemen to bail out the stokehold, while others carried coal from the after hatch, the bunkers being cut off by water. The occupants of the engine room were working up to their necks in water, and managed to keep steering way on the ship. The gale appeared at its height our Friday night, with a frightful sea. At 2.30 on Saturday morning the vessel must have fallen off into the trough of the sea, when a tremendous wave came aboard. It struck well aft, and completely wrecked the front of the saloon. The steward's pantry and state rooms "were flooded, while the ladies' cabin had four feet of water in it.

There was a scene of great excitement amongst the possengers, and as it was feared she was going down, they rushed wildly from their berths; only partly clad. Many stood up to their armpits in water, while others sheltered on the top of the saloon tables.

At daybreak the gale showed signs of giving out, and passengers began to bail ont the saloon.

On Sunday the weather broke fine, and the captain decided to return to Sydney to repair damages. The fireman and engineers claim to have saved the steamer Jubilee, as had they not succeeded in keeping up steam to give the vessel steerage way she must 'Inevitably have been engulped.

The Jubilee had 180 passengers on board.

The action of the crew is highly commended. The engine room hands were continuously on duty from 80 to 60 hours and the captain never left the bridge for 60 hours. — Press Association.