PERICLES BRECK

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 354, 4 April 1910, Page 5

PERICLES BRECK

THRILLING STOKY OF THE RESCUE. ALL THE BOATS LAND SAFELY. NO PANIC, NO EXCITEMENT. By Uable.-Preas Asto.u; lion.-Copyrijlu

„,, A Perth, April 2. ihe steamer Monaro arrived at Leeuvin yesterday, and embarked the Pericles' catsaways, totalling 50y One of the passengers < rave Bin inter . esting account of the disaster. The crew were busy getting the derricks veady for use at Frenumtle when a sudden shock was felt as if a big sea had struck the vessel. The weather was line and cloudless and the sea calm. The steamer trembled from end to end, then heeled to starboard, but kept on gob* Steam was escaping .with a roar from somewhere, below the waterline. There was no sign of a shoal anywhere. The captain at once took steps to find the extent of the damage. An order to man the boat-deck was given. When we reached the upper deck the men were getting out the boats. There was no panic, no foolish terror. Everybody appeared anxious to help everybody' else. When Wind Dr. Elmslie and his valet were making for the first boat every hand was stretched out to help them. I wanted my wife to go without me on the first boat, but she declined unless I went, so it was number two that we finally got into, 'with upwards of forty others.

There was terrible excitement in the boat, naturally, and tiie sea, which looked so smooth from the deck of the Pericles, was rough and high for a small boat. When we got fairly awav we found the ship lying with her head to the wind, her bows submerged to the level of the sea, and her stern sticking •up so that the propellers were clear of the water.

.'•PULL FOR THE SHORE, SAILOR." In half an hour every soul was clear of the ship. She was gradually sinking and the forehold was evidently full of water. Only the watertight partitions were keeping her afloat. When we had received instructions to pull for the lighthouse, six miles distant, from the chief officer's' boat, all started, and the way everybody behaved was a credit to the race. A sweet woman started singing "Pull for the shore, sailor," when a big wave struck the boat. Her voicedied in' her throat, but she was soon at it again. All joined in the chorus and acted as if on a picnic. Then a woman sang "Onward, Christian Soldiers," and "The Midshipman," and all sorts of song with a chorus to them. The. captain only saw us fairly started for the shore, and then went back to see the last of his grand ship. We left her about 4 o'cloeß, and about 5.30 the floating palace listed to starboard and sank slowly out of sight. She made no fus9 about the last plunge. She had been knocked out hopelessly, and went down quietly and doggedly, with colors flying.

As we drew towards the shore wo wondered where on the wild surf-beaten coast we were going to land, but the lighthouse-keener was watching, and he kindled a blazing fire opposite where we Were to land.

As we rowed we saw awful granite rocks on our right hand where the spray rose high in the air. Our eoxskain kept clear of them and made straight for the smoke.

EAGER HELPING HANDS. , A couple of boats had arrived before, and ere we reached shore, those halfnaked sailors, stewards, cooks, firemen, and stokers were into the waves to clutch our boat and haul her up, and they handled the women and children in a way that made my heart thrill ■with pride. They carried all ashore dryshod, and as boat after boat camo in they did the same thing till the thirteen boats had landed.

About 450 people were on the deso. late beach. NOT A SINGLE ACCIDENT.

The captain's boat was late in coming, as they waited to see the last of the ship, but when they came it was wonderful to think that so many people should be landed from a sinking ship on a surf-beaten shore without a single accident. Not only was there no 'los3 of life, but not a single accident of any kind.

There are only four houses on Cape Leeuwin, and all were hospitably placed at the disposal of the shipwrecked people, who landed without money, a change of raiment, or anything but what they stood in. But they were grateful to be on shore alive. If the boat had struck an uncharted rock on either of the previous nights there would have been a disaster to send a thrill through the world, but' it all happened on a glorious afternoon, and the heroism and courage of the people were beyond all praise.

CAPTAIN'S STATEMENT. "STRUCK AN UNCHARTED ROCK." Perth, April 2. Captain. Simpson stated that the Pericles was following the course he had travelled on many previous occasions. The speed at the time of the disaster was 14 knots, and her position seven or eight miles south of Leeuwin. With the second officer be was, on the bridge, and was suddenly startled by hearing a grating noise. This lasted only a few seconds, but was immediately followed by the vessel swinging from side to si<k. She then began to dip towards the bows, and he was soon convinced that the vessel was doomed. Wh»n the docks became awash he and several officers left the shin but remained in the vicinity until she sank three hours afrcr_ striking The caotain's oninion. which is shared bv the second officer (Mr. Legco), is that "the steamer struck a sunken uncharted rock'which tore out the bottom forepart of the vessel.

ARRIVAL OF THE CASTAWAYS. A WARM WELCOME. Received April 4. 0.25 a.m. Fremantle, Last Night. The steamer Monaro. with the ,Pericles' castaways, arrived yesterday afternoon. . ~ There was a great gathering on the wharf They warmlv welcomed th» rescued people.' All were cheerful, though some were scantilv attired. Tempnratv arrangements were made for their accommodation. . The Mayoress, of Perth has called a meeting at the Town Hall for tomorrow to arrange for the supplying o.

clothing and the necessaries of tho-o requiring assistance. Thanksgiving services were held in tlie town to-day.

LYING IN NINETEEN FATHOMS. CAPTAIN AT I lIS PLACE OF DUTY. Perth, April 2. The Pericles sank in nineteen fathoms. The captain was on the bridge almost continuous!'- from noon up to the time of Flrikini'. After all the boats were clear he and the officers made a thorough search of the cabins to see if any one was left behind.