MARINE CASUALTIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 143, 21 June 1904, Page 3

MARINE CASUALTIES.

WRECK OF A STEAMER AT PORT XEPEAN. LOSS OF A P. AND 0. LINER. MELBOURNE, June 20. The P. and O. Australia was totalI ly wrecked at Port Nepean this morning. No lives were lost. The P. and 0. Australia was inward bound from London, in charge of Pilot Dennis at the time of the disaster. She struck the Nepean reel about two in the morniug. A lifeboat was lowered, and the passenand crew were safely landed. JThe chief officer states that the botjtom of the vessel was stove in. The night was dark, with rain \sTqualls, and a strong northerly wind (springing up as the vessel at full speed made towards the heads. The sea, however, was smooth. The steamer struck the Corsair Rock, the impact being tremendous. The vessel's huil was stove in, and the fires put out. There were forty-nine passengers on 'board, and all were asleep in_ their caWns at the time. Despite the shock there was not the slightest trace of panic. The lookout at Queenscliff observed distress rockets, and a lifeboat, with the pilot steamer, was immediately despatched. At daylight live tugs were standing by. The lifeboat removed the passengers, and the pilot boat took the crew to UueensclifT.

A passanger states that a steward {quickly and quietly awakened the passengers. The vessel grated on tbe reef end then bumped heavily. The boats were all got out and in readiness without any confusion. Tbe passengers assembled in the smoking room, where the position was explained to them. All the ladies were then placed in the boats first, the gentlemen following. The engine-room quickly filled with water, and the electric light was extinguished. (Received .June 21, 1.14 a.m.) MELIIOUKNE, June 20. The pilot steamer .Victoria arrived this afternoon, with the passengers and the greater portion of the crew. The remainder are standing by. All personal effects of the passengers were landed.

Latest reports state that the Australia lies half a mile north of the Petriana w;eck, close up to Point Napean, and is resting on the rocks from the bow to well under the 'midships section, in 24ft of water at flood tide. She has a considerable list to starboard, and her bottom is badly stove in. The holds are rull of water. Experienced seamen who have been on board consider there is no chance of floating fler off. b

When tho Australia struck the water rushed in s„ .apidly Una numbers 01 persons in the stein part of the steamer had to wade up to .their shoulders in escaping The look-out man on "the pilot Steamer Victoria Hrst noticed the Signals of distress, and the boat went in search, but owing to the. darkness went outside without finding the disabled ship, which was discovered on the return journey It is difficult to understand how the disaster happened, as the Australia's position is nowhere near the entrance or channel, which the lights at Queenscliil and the south channel Clearly indicate. The captain states that the pilot was picked up four or five miles outside, and was standing on the bridge alongside him. When the ship struck she was going at the rate of 14 J knots. He immediately gave the order to close .the water-tight compartments. There .Was no excitement or panic. The pilot stated that as soon as the accident happened he became delirious, and was taken below till he recovered.

(Received June 21, 1.31 a.m ) MELBOURNE, June 20. Captain Wymark, Marine Surveyor. reports that the holds are full, "and the decks level with the water. Outside the spot where the ship settled down as a swirl, the tide never being still except for a few minutes at slack water. Nothing could be done to-day towards salving the cargo. If a south-westerly gale spring* up the vessel must break up The loss of the vessel will fall on the Peninsular Company, which doesits own underwriting. Insurances on the cargo, which includes a considerable consignment of tea, are mostly in British offices.

SERIES OF NAVAL DISASTERS. LONDON, June 19. The torpedo boat destroyers fiat •lid Stag collided near Ajiiccio during nijfht manoeuvres by the soiindron. The Hat sank, hut the crew Were saved. The Stag, built in 1899, was a vessel of 312 tons, 5900 h.p. undir forced draught, speed 30 knots; tender to 11. M.N. OrionLieutenant Commander Stanley \ Ellis. The Hat. built in lH'jti,' was of 360 tons, and the same power and speed as the Stag. She was also a tender to the Orion, and was commanded by Sir Douglas Urownrigg, Kart. The British torpedo destroyer Sparrow-hawk struck an uncharted rock at the mouiii of the Yan"--ise-kiang River and sank. Xo lost. (The Sparrow-hawk, 360 tons, stationed at Hong Kong, was built in 1896. Her engines were 6300 h.p., giving a spefed of 30.2 knots.) The naval tug Thistle, which sank recently off Queenstown, after landing a party of four hundred artisans, has been refloated and docked. (Received June 21, 11.6 a.m.) LONDON, .)„,„. 20. The Bat and Stag are safe at Malta. The collision was not serious. HONG KOXIJ, June 20. The guns and gear of the Sparrowhawk were saved.

CABLE SEWS.

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