DREADFUL NAVAL DISASTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 447, 7 January 1909, Page 3

DREADFUL NAVAL DISASTER.

Sidney, January 5. A long boat with 80 bluejackets,

fully armed for rifle practice at the Randwick ranges, left ihe naval depot on Garden Island this morning in a

boat in tow of a small launch. When they got within 200 yards of Lady Macquarrie’s Chair the steamer Dunmore came along and struck the long boat on the starboard side, cutting her down and severely injuring a number of the inmates, all of whom were thrown into the water, A flotilla of boats was soon on the scene, rendering assistance, but after rescuing all afloat it was discovered that 13 men had been drowned.

The Dunmorc was moving from the north side ot the harbour to load at Wooloomooloo, when she ran down the pinnace. At the time of the collision a s'ight haze overhung the water. The disaster was witnessed by the bluejackets in the ne ; ghbouring warships and at the Garden Island Naval Depot. They describe the scene as terrible. The men in the water were shouting and struggling for help. It is feared a number were injured by the steamer’s propeller. Naval divers from Garden Island quickly got to work and located the sunken boat. They recovered the bodies of Evans, Ho.nsby, Bristowe, Cutlen, Donn, Cunningham, Gregory, Rarcombc, Furling, Barrett, Strel.tz, Hill, Marsh, Searle and Humberstone. A great crowd gathered on the slopes of the Domain watching the operations of the diveis. Just what caused the disaster has not been revealed. The Naval authorities are reticent until an enquiry has been held, while the Dunmore proceeded to sea shortly alter the accident.

The sea was smooth and the day clear, although there is said to have been a slight haze at the time.

From those aboard the Dunmore it is gathered that the captain gave one blast of the whistle when he saw the boats, to indicate the course he was steering. He was satislied the pinnace would pass under his stern, but suddenly the towing launch altered her course and came across his bows.

The pinnace was completely turned over by the impact. Those sailors crowded in the centre of her were apparently stunned and unable to help themselves. All were heavily clothed and weighted with ammunition and accoutrements.

The men belonged to H.M.S. Encounter which was lying alongside Garden Island, The victims were all Englishmen, and all unmarried except Gregory, who leaves a wife and daughter in Liverpool. It is clear that many of those lost became entangled in the gear of the boat, as she overturned. One bedy found in the boat was held fast by the hand, and another had the calf of the leg torn as if by the propeller. Many of the men drowned were good swimmers and must have been stunned by the impact. By 5 o’clock all the bodies had been recovered with the exception of that of Marsh. As each body was found it was wrapped in a Union Jack and conveyed aboard the Encounter. The apallmg nature of the disaster caused a large assemblage of people on the sloping ground ot the Domain overlooking the scene. Eye-witnesses describe the scene as thrilling, the men struggling in the water in a mass and clutching wildly at the floating oars or anything likely to keep them afloat. Fortunately plenty of asssistance was at hand, and prevented even greater loss of life. Fourteen men were actually drowned outright. The fifteenth, Gregory, was picked up in a bad way and subsequently died. The survivors state that when they saw the situation was dangerous they shouted to the towing launch to cut the painter, but there was no time, the Dun more passing over the boat as through the floundering men.

The disaster was about the worst on record in Sydney Harbour and has created a profound sensation.

An officer of the Encounter states that it appeared as if the boat was suddenly folded together by the force of the collision. Then the sides went back again to their places. He thought it possible that the men in the centre of ttie boat were squeeaed in such a way that they sank at once. There is a hole in the boat three feet in width and three feet in depth. All the drowned men were between the ages of 19 and 21. Another eye-witness states that the boat seemed to be sucked under the steamer, which passed right over it. He saw several throw up their hands and sink before assistance could reach them.

The towing launch, though crowded with marines, did excellent work. Many men reached the upturned boat, clung to her and helped others on to the bottom, but the weight was too much and she sank under them. The respite gained, however, was valuable and enabled the rescue boats to reach them. It is now stated that the men were not carrying their ammunition, which was slowed in boxes in the bottom of the boat. The funerals are to lake place to-morrow. Sydney, January 6.

The tow-line between the launch and the pinnace was 60ft long. The steamer struck this first, and almost immediately after the rope fouled the pinnace. The captain of the Dunmore states he was going dead slow, and when he saw that an accident was inevitable the engines were reversed. The vessel was almost at a standstill when she struck the boat.

The survivors, after the first moment’s consternation, during which a number of those in the water were pushed under in the struggle and had no chance to rise, displayed great coolness, and performed many acts of heroism. Those able to swim helped the non-swimmers. One man managed to swim ashore.

Rescue boats from the warships were on the scene within three minutes of the accident.

An enquiry was opened on the Encounter and adjourned. The Premier of the Commonwealth, Mr Fisher, sent a message of condolence and sympathy to the Admiral.