Eyewitnesses of Sydney Disaster

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 195, 7 November 1927, Page 9

Eyewitnesses of Sydney Disaster

TAHITI’S PASSENGERS HORRIFIED (From Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. COME vivid impressions of the ferry disaster in Sydney O Harbour remain in the minds of passengers on the Tahiti which arrived here this morning, and some of the stories told by those on board convey, in a small measure, the horror of the tragedy.

FEW of the passengers were inclined to think that the Tahiti had embarked on an ill-fated trip because of two little incidents which happened before leaving the wharf at Sydney. Just before the vessel was due to sail the gangway fell and missed a man by inches, and shortly after in the immense crowd which lined the wharf a young woman was jostled into the water. Her rescue was effected by a man who dived overboard. The general impression gathered , from passengers shows that they saw the whole affair from the time the ' terry was steaming gracefully on the i glassy surface of the harbour, and was overtaking the Tahiti, till the moment when the little boat suddenly cut across the Tahiti’s bows, with the disastrous result. One passenger who saw the accident says that people on board remarked upon the-risks which the ferry commanders took, presumably through familiarity with the surroundings, but none were prepared for the terrible shock which the impact of the two ships gave everyone. The scenes described by eyewitnesses on board the Tahiti can be described only as ghastly. Screaming and struggling women were seen disappearing beneath the wreckage-strewn waters. Children were observed clinging to pieces of wreckage till dashed from their frail supports by falling timber. All was over in a few moments and before the passengers on the big boat realised what had happened the deadly swirl and suction of the fast sinking ferry was dragging men, women and children to their death. People on board did everything possible from their comparatively helpless position, throwing belts overboard and calling directions to those in the water. “The scene was indescribable,” said one lady passenger, “and the horrors of seeing women sinking in those waters will always remain with me. I saw them throw up their arms and disappear, and every time I wake I see it again.” Passengers are reticent in suggesting any theory for the disaster, but do not hesitate to say that they saw the ferry coming a hundred yards away, and witnessed it cut across in front of the Tahiti.