The Ly-ee-Moon Wreck.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XII, Issue 1743, 25 June 1886, Page 2

The Ly-ee-Moon Wreck.

The Rev William Pople, one of the survivors of the Ly-ee-Moon, wrecked on the New: South Wales Coast,, tells a thrilling 9fcory of the hardships and sufferings of the rescued during the time they remained on the vessel. He suys :— " Dnrins all these six hours while the passengers remained on the wreck their position may be briefly described as standing outside on the port bulwarks, with heavy seas washing over them at short intervals. The physical sufferings of the passengers may tuer-r haps be imagined if you will think of what it is to receive a heavy showerbath every two or three minutes for a space of six hours. The seas whiohrolled over us came m tremendous volumes and with terrific force, and my wonder is that more of those who found the tenacity of dying; men were not washed -away from: their position. JBfosooner had me recovered from the shockj of one overwhelming sea, tban another cape pouring over her, until at last the strongest began to feel the rigours of the cold; .and their hold on the wreck became weakened. Although the suspense was fearful, and the thought of the survivors of the cruel suffering from being dashed on the rooks, and death not only possible but probable, yet the freedom . troui anything like panic was astonishing. Not a cry of despair was heard, whatever may have been felt, and all remained patiently awaiting deliverance. I No one attempted m any way whatever J to snatoh an advantage. Even the little fellow Adams who was afterwards saved, made the remark to one standing by, " I can't swim, sir, but I can float,'"' ana he seemed' ready at any time to try this prbcess of reaching the shore. The lady who was lost while attempting to reach the shore by the help of the third officer < was standing for the most part by my side. She was lifted over from the deck on to the porthole, so as to be m better safety. Never a murmur escaped her lips, and she stood the test of endurance with as much fortitude as the manliest of the men. One of the most painful episodes of the night was the fact that, the survivors had' to stand and hear all - the cries of those on board the af t-pari of the vessel, which remained somewhat stationary m the position where it struck, and to gaze upon the lighted deck, while feeling they were powerless to help. Whemthe, mast broke many were carried; awiay ;in the rigging, but on [ Mdnclay morning there were still some alive m that portion of the vessel. At daylight all were gone; the afterpart had disap ; peared, having broken up by the violence of I the waves. One touching inpident may well be mentioned . Some hours after 1 the wreck had taken place the voice,; of-ja .woman was heard m the salooni," The chief steward broke open the sky.light and asked who it was. Thelady .said her name was M'lntyre, and' she '■ieried ont "Oh, save ; nib." Thompson . and others' tried to pass a rope down to' the saloon through the. skylight, but Mrs •M'lntyre could not reach the rope, and was i; apparently unwilling to. leave her position, which, as far as could be gathered, was on the mast below,"