FEARFUL DISASTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1137, 21 August 1883, Page 3

FEARFUL DISASTER.

la attempting to launch the steamer Daphne at Renfrew, five miles from Glasgow, on July 3rd, tlie vessel fell over on one side, precipitating a large number of people into tbe water. Two hundred working men were on board when tbe capsize took place, in the middle of the stream. The vessel left the ways at a very rapid rate of speed, and when she got into the water, rolled from side to side, and the persons on board becoming frightened, ran to and fro until finally she rolled over and nearly disappeared beneath the water. Those who maintained their positions on portions of the steamer which were not submerged did their utmost to save those who were cast ovorboaid. At the same time boats quickly assisted in the work of rescuing the unfortunate people, and saved quite a number, but for all this the death roll is estimated at 150 persons. The vicinity of the scene was crowded with relatives of the deceased. The cause of the capsize was that she had too much top weight. The builders of the Daphne testified at an enquiry begun on tbe 11th, before Sir Edward Reid, that the vessel was launched in the usual manner, and no fear had been entertained of danger. They said the deck on the tarboard side had been removed to admit boiler plates, and that the planking and other material were stowed on other parts of the deck. She sank on the port side. According to the statement of witnesses and survivors of the disaster, the vessel left the slip too rapidly, causing her stem which entered first to sink below the water. She was then caughts hy a strong current of the river by which as well as by her own weight she was caused to heel over so far that the water entered her ports. The vessel had all her machinery in place when she was launched, and a diver who was sent down shortly after the disaster said the companion way was blocked up with a solid mass of bodies one upon another. It appears that the men who were at work below when the ship went over, rushed from their work, and became jammed in tbe passage way. Some of the bodies still had tools in their hands. The Daphne is a vessel of 5000 tons, and was built'for the coasting trade. She was partly raised on the 13th.