Perils of the Sea

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 161, 7 January 1914, Page 5

Perils of the Sea

OKLAHOMA'S TRAGIC END. . •STEAMER SINKS SUDDENLY. . OFF-AMERICAS COAST. TWENTY-FOUR SAILORS DROWNED. 8y Q&Mc—Press Association—Copyright New York, January 5. The steamer Oklahoma sank off Sandy Hook. Twenty-four of the crew perished, tat eight were saved. According to a wireless message, the HamburgVAmerica freight steamer Bavaria rendered assistance by taking off ;those saved. The vessel disappeared before the others could be rescued. Particulars are not forthcoming.

VESSEL BREAKS IN TWO. STERN-SINKS INSTANTLY. FORTY MEN CARRIED TO DEATH. ' Received fi, 9.10 p.m. - New York, January 5. "The oil-tank steamer Oklahoma broke 'in two without warning., The stern section sank instantly,' carrying forty men to their death. /The other portion -of the steamer —"boated long enough to allow a boat containing eight men to leave the wreck. The Bavaria is now carrying the survivors to Boston.

A LIFEBOAT PICKED UP. : WITH FOUR MEN DEAD FROM EXPOSURE. Received 6, 10.40 p.m. New York, January 5. A revenue cutter reported that it had picked up one of the Oklahoma's lifeboats with four men aboard, dead from exposure. The survivors are unable to account for the vessel's cvtraordinary .accident. A GALLANT RESCUE. CAPTAIN'S STORY OF THE WRECK. Received 7, 12.5 a.m. New YoTk, January 5. According to a wireless telegraph mes•age, Captain GraafW, of the Bavaria, lighted the Oklahoma at early dawn to- ': day, flying distress signals. The seas were high and Tough. Later, Captain Graafle saw the fore part of the Oklahoma floating on the. waves. The other part had gone '■ The Bavaria lowered a boat, and six men gallantly-.fought'their way across the waves and scifcod a rope thrown -from the wreck. Tlfey rescued eight ; men, including Captain Gunther. ' Captain Gunther explained that the ghip broke in two early on tlie previous "day, without warning. Twenty-two of _the crew were lost instantly when the t afterpart sank, with the stern pointing . upwards and the propeller twirling. The lifeboats sank with the ship, so escape ' was 'hopeless. A Spanish steamer hove in; sight later on Sunday, but was unable, owing to tne high seas, to accomplish anything in ,thc way of assistance.

THE ELDORADO'S CREW. CAPTAIN'S PARTY SAFE. Sydney, January d. ' It is ascertained that Captain Benson and two companions from the wrecked itcamer Eldorado, who left Easter Island in a boat, arrived at Papeete safely, and thence were conveyed to San Francisco in the steamer Moana. PEARLING LUGGERS MISSINGAFTER HEAVY STORMS. Thursday Island, January 6. Following heavy storms, two pearling luggers are missing.