THE WIMMERA.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1918, Page 5

THE WIMMERA.

LAST BOT TO 'KEA/VE. FAMILY m NINE ABOAED. Mr. John Davidson, managing director of Oliphant'e, Ltd., London: and Edinburgh, had the good fortune to be saved, together with his wife, seven children, and two young maids. They got off in the last boat to leave the ship. "Descnbx ing the occurrence, Mr. Davidson eaM.ii "It was about 6.20 a.m. That E loud explosion aft, followed by-fc. foearj; roar. Almost immediately:-there was .a second explosion, the roar of which joined into and increased the otSier sound. The first shout I heard was:'' 'She's on the rocks!' lint this was soon, found not to be the case. The majority;, of the passengers immediately proceeded on deck, some of them picking ,up- a few;' garments to cover their; night attire,.buti most were barefooted.

LAUNCHING DOTTOEEEES. "There was not a scream of while the boats were being said Mr. Davidson. "The one which' a', party of 20, including my wife- and 1 * family, sat in, was No. 3. Just <prior?<to* our coming up, something appeared tov go wrong with the boat's gear* and several people vacated it, crossing to another boat on the prt aide, thus making space available for the remaining passengers. Just as an attempt was being made to lower No. 3 boat, the vessel took a list to starboard, and the ropes at the bow stuck. The sailors, however,4>roved very cool, and the trouble was got brer almost instantly. Just at this instant No. 1 boat got underneath, and caused some anxiety, but she soon pulled out of the way. When we were launched the sea was pouring off the deck at the stern, towards which our 'boat was being driven.. At one time it appeared to'be only kept from colliding with the. steamer by the oars, which were pushed against her side. One man jumped from the ship's deck, striking his shins on the gunwale of the boat, and fell into the water. He and three others were taken out of the water. The boat was then pulled a short distance away to avoid beink swamped by the ship, which was evidently about to sink. In a few minutes the Wimniera reared up perpendicularly; then there were two loud explosions, and we heard the screams of the horses left pa board. The'ship then quickly disappeared. ' . SHAKE KXLUOWS BOAT. "Our boat stood by for somewhere about half a hour, after which it was steered towards a lighthouse' which we could plainly aee. .We were the fourth boat to arrive at Tom Bowling Bay—about 5 p.m. The first .boat tia<T arrived about noon, and: we found "two fires burning, and arrangements well ahead for the entertainment of all survivors. AIMe-saaman Jones took command of our boat not long_ after we left the ship, and kept steering-oar for .most of the-way. I feel that he cannot b» too highly commended for the skill which -he displayed' and the cleverness with which bo beached the boat in the surf. During the day a shark followed the <bbat, and I took hold of jie steering oar, giving" a tug which forced the'steersman's elbow | into the chest of one of the -passengers. He, however, did not mention the fact, so as not to alarm the ladies on -board. | On landing tho party proceeded over-the I hills to Mr.'Monro's station, where a sheep was roasted and a continuous sup- | ply of food was provided allnight. The |lad"y passenger fl cannot be too highly j praised for their individual coolness and' I bravery. The general opinion was that they put the men to shame."