THE LOSS OF THE PERICLES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 822, 5 April 1910, Page 3

THE LOSS OF THE PERICLES.

Fkkmantlk, April 4

The Pericles’ passengers speak in high terms of praise of the resourcefulness and forethought of Captain Simpson and his officers and crew.

Immediately after the vessel struck soundings were taken, the bulkhead doors closed, the pumps started and signals of distress hoisted. Preparations were made for getting out the boats and the captain’s orders were promptly obeyed. There was no confusion and no panic. Captain Simpson, in a further interview, said the Pericles was steaming about 14 knots. The weather was fine, but there was a fairly heavy swell. He and the second mate were on the bridge taking bearings. Everything seemed absolutely normal and correct. According to the chart he should have been in perfectly safe water, following the same route he had taken for years. He felt one violent shock that mads him think she struck a knob of rock, and the force of the impact carried it away. Otherwise she would have struck aft. The steamer continued to travel ahead. Though the bulkheads were closed immediately and the pumps started it availed nothing to stop the inrush of water. A steamer passed not far away, but failed to notice the signals of distress. Everybody behaved splendidly. The maxim “women and children first” was studiously respected and everything went off smoothly like clockwork. He could not too highly praise the womeu for their pluck and conduct generally.