Dreadful Launch Accident.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 28, 5 April 1907, Page 5

Dreadful Launch Accident.

TEN PERSONS DROWNED. Launcestion, April 2. Last night the steamer Togo collided with the sieam launch Alice on the river Tamar. Meagre details to hand indicate that out of sixteen persons aboard the Alice only six were saved, the victims being Mr J. MacDonald and wife and two boys, Mrs F. MacDonald, Miss MacDonald, Mrs Campbell, Miss Filgri, and J. Pressmall. Later. Details of the disaster show that those on board the launch were returning from a supper on the river, where the party ot sixteen had bet n picnicing. The Alice was in charge of J, T. MacDonald, a partner in the engineering linn of Salisbury and Co., who wis part owner of the launch. The steamer Togo had returned from an excursion from Lmnceston to the Gjorgetown Regatta, held during the day. and was returning to take up her usual running. At nine o'clock, when nearing Fresh Water Point, the night being fine, with bright moonlight, the lights of an approaching launch were seem. Those on board the Togo state that the Alice tried to cross the bows of the steamer, when the latter blew her syren and the order was given to reverse the engines, but the order was given too late, the Alice being struck amidships. The impact was of such terrible suddenness that scarcely a cry was heard. The launch was cut down below the water, and sank almost immediately, The Togo's boats were quickly manned, and lifebuoys were thrown to tho.se struggling in the water. Six being rescued, Only those in the fore part of the Alice were saved. The majority of the victims were in the cabin at the time of the disaster. One of the survivors states that MacDonald was steering the Alice, which was on the starboard side of the Togo, and evidently MacDonald did not see her coming, She was very close to the Alice when Gilbert MacDonald went up to his father and said: "Don't you see the Togo?" The course of the Alice was then altered to avoid the Togo, but the latter having good speed on, the Alice did not get clear in time. The Togo struck her with great force, cutting the launch right through.

Six bodies were recovered from the cabin today.