THE SYDNEY DISASTER

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9339, 7 January 1909, Page 5

THE SYDNEY DISASTER

FUNERAL OF TMI VICTIMS,

AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.

United Presa Association.— By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. Sydney, January 6.

The funeral of the fifteen bluejackets this afternoon was a solemn and impressive spectacle. Between four and five |hundred naval men, dressed in white, first assembled at the temporary chapel at Garden Island, where the coffins of their comrades lay. A brief service was held. The wives of the Captain in charge of the Naval Depot and the Captain of the Encounter deposited two beautiful wreaths in the chapel to the memory of the men. After a prayer, the aaembled men sang in unison the hymn, “Brief life is here our portion.” Strong men brushed aside their tears, as the thrilling service for the dead "proceeded. The service concluded with the hymn, “For those in peril £on the sea ; ” and the white robed sailors stdod as the Dead March in Saul was

played. Then they filed past the row of coffins out into the sunlight to take part in the landing and burial of their dead comrades at Man-o’-war Stairs, where the bodies were landed.

There the marines with fixed bayonets, formed a guard, and as the coffins, covered with the Union Jack, passed, the marines stood to attention. A bugle call sounded the last solemn salute to the dead.

The cortege started. Dense crowds thronged the route to Redfern Railway Station, whence the bodies were taken to the necropolis. Hushed stillness pervaded the great throng. Flags everywhere were at half-mast. .Colonel A.D.0., represented the Governor.

General detachments of the military fbrcea were present and representatives of all the shipping lines attended the funeral. APPEAL FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS. London, January 6. The Mayor of Portsmouth, in an appeal for contiibutions to the naval disaster fnnd, remarks thst the heroism, resourcefulness and sympathy displayed by officers and men at the earthquake made the country prouder than ever of the navy, but the terrible boat accident at Sydney will necessitate fresh calls for funds. The bulk of the amount subscribed in 1908 was allocated to the widows and orphans of the men lost in the TigerGladiator collision. The public are now asked to put in a practical shape the admiration which the King graciously expressed and all must feel. - Received January 7, 8.58 a.m. London, January 6. Newspapers make sympathetic comments on the Sydney Harbour accident. Received January 7, 9.20 a.m. Sydney, January 7.

Amongat numerous messages of sympathy and condolence received by the captain of the Encounter are several from New Zealand, including cablegrams from Sir Joseph Ward, Admiral Poore, officers and men of the warships in New Zealand waters. / _____