Collision in the North Sea.

Manawatu Herald, 5 February 1895, Page 2

Collision in the North Sea.

It is reported that the collision in the North Sea by which the Elbe was sunk was caused by the steamer Graithie, of Aberdeen, which was not afterwards seen by those on board the Elbe, and rendered no assistance whatever. She has since returned to Rotterdam with her stem badly damaged. The Elbe sank in 20 minutes. The captain and chief officer were amongst those drowned. The women and children were ordered to leave their protectors and go to the starboard side of the vessel, but before they were able to reach the boats the Elbe sank stem first. One boat, with 20 occupants, was picked up, and carried to Lowestoft. Those in this boat had a terrible experience, and for five hours were almost frozen, owing to the severe weather. No first-class passengers were saved, and only five second, the remainder being officers and crew. It is feared that a second boat has been swamped, and all on board drowned. The Graithie is a steamer of 475 I tons. The captain states he stood by two hours, but the survivors of the Elbe declare that he was a mile

away } otherwise matiy Would nave been saved. With regard to the Elbe disaster, Captain Gordon, of the sjgajnex, ~ Craithie, states that immediatelyafter the collision he stopped ajro~;r reversed the engines, and Bhov&y afterwards he continued on bisS^ co;rse, supposing that the Elbe was stu'i. He was led to believe this, because she signalled that she did not require assistance. The repairs to the Craithie will occupy about five weeks. The Queen has wired to Germany stating that she is greatly distressed at the Elbe disaster, and enquiring whether there are hopes of more survivors being found. The Germans have arrested the officers and crew of the Craithie at Rotterdam.