MANY NARROW ESCAPES. THRILLING SCENES ON THE AUSTRALIAN COAST. [REUTER'S CABLEGRAM.]

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 226, 29 October 1887, Page 4

MANY NARROW ESCAPES. THRILLING SCENES ON THE AUSTRALIAN COAST. [REUTERS CABLEGRAM.]

Melbouhxc, Oct. 20. It 4s reported here that the steamer Cheviot, belonging to Messrs Howard, -Smith, and Sons, which sailed from this port yesterday afternoon for Sydney and Brisbane, was wrecked •outside the Heads near Point K"opean at 9 o'clock last evening. The Cheviot, on leaving, 'had II saloon and 22 steerage passengers. Later news has been received from Sorrento that one of the -crew of the Cheviot reached that place at -2.40 this morning. He states that the vessel struck on a rock about 9 'O'clock last evening. He jumped into the water, and succeeded in getting ashore. It is surmised at QueensdiiTe that the steamer broke down in the southerly gale. On the news becoming.&nown, erew 8 and lifeboats proceeded to the scene of the disaster, and set up a life-saving apparatus, by means of which a number of persons safely landed from the vessel this morning. It is evident that the ship is breaking up, as the cargo is coming ashore.

Queess 1 ! Lii^h, 1 a.m. A fishing boat has just arrived here from Portsea, biingiiig news that 24 persons have been saved from the Cheviot, and that between 35 and 40 are supposed to have been drowned.