A FATAL COLLISION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9338, 6 January 1909, Page 5

A FATAL COLLISION.

PAINFUL SCENES. FIFTEEN MEN LOST. United Press Association,—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Sydney, January 5. The steamer Dunmore collided with a pinnace containing .70 Bluejackets off Garden Island. Fifteen Bluejackets were drowned. The longboat with 50 Bluejackets fully armed for rifle practice at Randwiok ranges left the naval depot at Garden Island in the morning. The boat was in tow by a small launch, and when she got within 300 yards of Lady Macquarrie’s Chair the Dunmore came along and struck the longboat on the starboard side, cutting her severely and injuring a number of her inmates. All „were thrown into the water. The majority were able to keep afloat until the launch picked them up. The boat of the Dunmore also went to their assistance. The collision was also noticed from the warship and soon a a flotilla of beats was on the scene rendering assistance. After rescuing all afloat it was discovered that 15 were still missing. Laden with rifles and heavy cartridge belts they had evidently been unable to recover themselves when thrown into the water and sank before help could reach them. Others were injured by the impact.

The names of those missing are Gurling, Barcombe, Barrett, Evan, Stlitz, Hornby, Hill, Marsh, Briatowe, Outten, seamen; Donn, Cunningham, Hnmberstone, Searle and Gregory, stokers. Sydney, January 5.

The Dunmore was moving from the north side of the harbour to load for Woollodmoolloo at the time of the collision. There was a slight haze overhanging the water. The disaster was witnessed by the bluejackets on the neighbouring warships and Garden Island. The scene is described as terrible, -the men shouting and struggling for help. It is feared that a number of men were injured by the steamer’s propeller. Divers from Garden Island quickly got to work and located the sunken boat. They recovered the bodies of Evans, Hornsby, Bristowe, Ontten, Donn, Cunningham, and Gregory. A great crowd gathered in the Domain watching the operation. Just what caused the disaster has not been revealed, as the naval authorities are remaining reticent until the inquiry is held. The Dunmore proceeded to sea shortly after the accident. The sea was smooth and the day clear, although it is said that there had 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 satisfied that the pinnace would pass under the Dunmore’s stern, but suddenly the towing launch altered its course and came across his bows. The pinnace was completely turned over by the impact, and those who ware 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 the Encounter, which is at present alongside Garden Island. The victims were all Englishmen and all unmarried except Gregory, who leaves a wife and daughter at Liverpool. It is clear that many of those lost became entangled in the gear which was in the boat as she overturned.

One was found in the boat held fast by the hand and another had the calf of his leg torn by the propeller. Many of the men who wore drowned were good swimmers and they must have been stunned by the impact.

By 5 o’clock all the bodies had been recovered with the exception of that of a man named Marsh. As each body was found, it was wrapped in a Union Jack and conveyed on hoard the Encounter.

The appalling nature of the disaster was the cause of a large assembly of people on the sloping ground of the Domain overlooking the scene.

An eye witness described the scene as thrilling. The men were struggling in the water in a mass, clutching wildly at floating oars or anything likely to’keep them afloat.. Fortunately plenty of assistance was at hand, which prevented an even greater loss of life- Fourteen men were actually drowned outright, and the fifteenth, Gregory when picked up, was in such a bad way that he subsequently died. [The survivors state that when they saw that the situation was dangerous they shouted to the towing launch to cut the painter, bnt there was not time to do so, the Dunmore passing over the boat and through the floundering men. The disaster is about the worst on record for 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 and then the sides wept back again to their places. He thought it was possible that the men in the centre of;the boat were squeezed in such a way'that they sank at once. The hole in the boat is three feet in width and three feet in-depth. All those drowned were between 19 and 91 years of age. Another eye witness states thajt'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, although crowded with marines, did excellent rescue work and many men reached the upturned boat and clung to her and helped others on to the bottom, bat the weight was too much and she sank under them. The respite thus gained, however, was valuable and enabled the rescue boats to reach them. It is now stated that the men were not carrying the ammunition, hut it was stowed in boxes at the bottom of the boat. The funerals will be held to-mor-row.

FURTHER DETAILS

Received January 6, 10.37 a.m. Sydney, January 6. The tow line between the launch and the pinnace was 60 feet long. The steamer struck this first and almost immediately afterwards fouled the Pinnace. The captain of the Dunmore states that he was going dead slow and when he saw the accident was inevitable the engines were reversed and the steamer had come almost to a standstill when the stern struck the boat. The survivors after the first moments of consternation during which a number of those in the water were pushed under in the struggle and had no chance to rise, the sailors displayed great coolness and performed many acts of heroism, those able to swim helping non-swimmers. One man managed to swim ashore. Rescue boats from warships were on the scene within three minutes.

An inquiry was opened on ths Encounter and adjourned.

Mr Fisher, Premier, sent condolences to the Admiral.