THE LOSS OF THE ASIA AND A HUNDRED LIVES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1051, 4 January 1883, Page 3

THE LOSS OF THE ASIA AND A HUNDRED LIVES.

A mail steamer at Liverpool from New York brings particulars of the dreadful disaster to the steamer Asia, which went down whilst having on board passengers and crew to the number of about 100, only two of whom were saved. The circumstances of the disaster, as related by one of the survivors, are of the most thrilling kind. The two saved from the wreck are Miss Morrison and Mr Tintie, Loth of whom arrived at Parry’s Sound on the 17th ult., being brought there by an Indian boatman from Point au Barrie, According to Mr Tint’Vs statement, he and several others embarked on board the ill-fated vessel at Owen’s Sound, She was then full of passengers. This was midnight on Wednesday, and all the state rooms were occupied, whilst a of number ot passengers were sleeping on sofa berths. Everything went well until 11 o’clock on Thuisday morning, when a tremendous storm of wind arose. The vessel was tossed about like a straw on the water, the platen and chairs in the cabins being flung about in ab directions. The vessel would not answer her helm, and soon got into the trough of the sea. It was seen that she could not live in such a sea, and the boats were got out. After laboring heavily for about half an hour, the Asia went down bodily with engines working

at half spi .1. The captain was then

making for Fmio'i River. Mr lintic only «aw three boats, and he <-nt into one of them. There were eight occupants in the boat, but many others got into it and it capsized twice, Tititie had a life-belt on, but so many unfortunate people seized it to sustain themselves that he had to discard it. He also swam to the captain’s boat, which was full of people. The purser told Mr Tintie not to get into the boat, as it already contained 18 persons. He, however, helped Tintie up, Tintie could then see a large number of people clinging to the boat be had just left. Nothing could be observed of the third boat. The sea for some distance was covered with human beings, some cn spars or other portions of the wreck. One after another tho occupants of the boat died, until there were only Mr Tintie and Miss Morrison, The first to succumb was the cabin hoy, he dying in the aims of one of the crew, when a large wave carried him overboard. The next was one of the crew, who jumped into the water. He was seen by those in the boat to float some 100 yards away, and was then lost. The number was finally reduced to seven, hut five of these also died before the boat reached the shore. The last to expire was Captain Savage, who died in the arms of Mr Tintie about midnight on Thursday, The boat at last stranded at Point, an Barrie at daylight on Friday morning, with the two survivors, also with the corpses of their companions. On the following morning an Indian in a canoe came along the shore, and was engaged to take Miss Morrison and Mr Tintie to Parry’s Sound ; but he declined to convey the dead bodies. At latest accounts both the survivors were rapidly recovering from their terrible experience.