Terrible Disaster at SEA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 95, 30 March 1883, Page 2

Terrible Disaster at SEA.

LOSS OF A 81'EA.MEB AND FORTY HANDS.

SHOCKING SUFFB RINGS OF SURVIVORS.

(By Telegraph f om Auckland.) (Post Correspondent,) London, Feb. 9. The Kenmnre Castle, bound from London to Hcng Kcn£, foundered on 2nd February m the Bay of Biscay, during a violent ga!e. A.ll the passengers and eight of the ctew were saved, nnd conveyed to Boulogne by tH« Montalaire, a French steamer. It appears that several mishaps befel the vessel prior to her leaving the Channel. < n the Ist February, at sunset, the saloon was crushed m, and m the course of the nipht carried bodily away, the wat r entering freely. The passengers were, with difficulty, conveyed to the engine-room, the ladies being m their night attire. Findine that the steamer was filling, and the water m the stokehole, a boat was launched by order of the captain who placed all the passengers m her. These comprised a lafiy from Bedford and her three daughters, Mr and Mrs Horrocks (of Satbw, China), Mr and Mrs Alexander, and D. Henry (of Dundee, late of Ceylon). Mr Holeness, the second officer, the third .officer, and a crew of seven Chinamen also got m. Scarcely had the boat left when the vessel sa"k suddenly, with between 30 and 40 men on board. The high sea threatened at every moment to swamp the boat. Mr Holeness, knowing be was 160 miles from land, endeavoured to steer m the track of the outward and homeward bound ships. On the second day, the third officer, from, want of food, became mad and jumped overboard, but was saved, after an hour had elapsed, by throwing an oar to him. On the third day, the ladies were sinking fa*>t. Their privation was intense, no fcod of any description having been placed m j the boat. The lady passengers were' tossing for three days m the open Rea m their night dresses, the only lurther clothing obtainable being men's coats and a shawl . The occupants of the boat were at last! reduced to chewing Mr Horrock's flannel vests, as their only rations, till they were picked up. Several vessels were Bighted, and one especially, although quite near, took no notice. On the evening of , the third day, the Montalaire bore down and took them aboard.