STEAMER SUNK

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 223, 19 March 1912, Page 5

STEAMER SUNK

COLLISION IX THE ENGLISH CHANXEL. LASCARS' COWARDLY CONDUCT. SEVENTEEN LIVES LOST. THE CAPTAIN PRAISED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyrifkt. London, March 17. The Oceana carried a crew of 280 and 40 passengers. The remainder intended to join at Marseilles. It is estimated that four passengers were drowned. The bodies of a stewardess, a Lascar, and a lady have been found. Possibly half a dozen of the crew perished. There was a terrific crash when the vessels collided. A hole twenty feet wide was made, and there was a great inrush of water. The discipline of the officers and the European section of the crew was exemplary, but the Lascars huddled together alternately waiting a7id screaming, thus terrifying the otherwise courageous women folk who were awaiting their turn at the boats as patiently 'as the males. Life-belts were distributed, and there was ample accommodation in the hosts. The swamping of the first boat is attributed to an accident to the block rope. Miss Macfarlane, a clergyman's daughter, was the only occupant rescued. She stated that her father, mother and some ladies had been drowned. Thirty-two passengers arrived in London' in their night-clothes, blankets and towels. Some were bareheaded. The ship's carpenter, who was lying in his berth at the moment of the collision, had his leg smashed, and a passenger had his arm fractured. The captain and the remainder of the crew quitted the Oceana only when she was settling down. Within twenty minutes she heeled over, her stern rising, and dense smoke announced an explosion. She lies on an even keel. The Pisagua's damage is worse than was thought. She arrived at Dover in a sinking condition. The Oceana sank six miles off Eastbourne. It is now believed that seventeen were drowned. The officers of the German barque Pisagua, with which she collided, paid a tribute to the coolness of the officers of the Oceana, adding that the captain behaved with the greatest presence of mind like all British captains.

NEEDLESS LOSS OF LIFE. BOATS NOT LOWERED AT ONCE. Received March 18, 10.45 p.m. London, March 18. Exclusive of the bullion, the Oceana's cargo was valued at over £IOO,OOO. The vessel floated for seven hours after the collision, and the pilot declares that the loss of life was unnecessary. No one should have died had the boats been lowered immediately, hut no such order was given from the bridge. The Pisagua's bow was driven in, but the watertight bulkhead kept the vessel afloat.