TERRIBLE SHIPPING DISASTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2015, 4 March 1890, Page 1

TERRIBLE SHIPPING DISASTER.

Brisbane, March 1

Newa of a shipping disaster, attended with s.xd loss of life, lias reached here. The British and Indira Company';! steamer Quetta, on her, home ward voyage, struck on a rock which, it is said, is not marked on the chart, near Oooktown, with terrible force, splitting her completely through. There was tearful confusion among the passengers, who rushed about the deck wildly in despair crying for help. The yessel sank in three minutes after striking, and a large number of those on board went down with tho vessel. The location of the disaster is in the vicinity of Mount Adolphua and the Two Brothers Island. The Quetta was a full ship, with over an hundred passengers on board, including a large number of well-known citizens, who were going Home on a visit. Her crew consisted of about o*° European officers and 95 colored men. The ship was valued at £65,000, and is not insured. The following is a list of her passengers:—Saloon : Mesdamea Prentice, Cooksley, Waugh, Talbott, Ross, Watson, Barlow, Pollard, Nicklin, Lord, Whish, Archer, and Lacey (2), Misses Wright (2), Nicklin (2), Captain Whish, Messrs Watson, Gape, Dawson, Nicklin, Archer, Blackford, George, Prentice, Benton, Hall, Bebrey, and Wardsford, Mr and Mrs Corser and child, Mr and Mrs Davids and child, Master Lord. Steerage : Mesdames Jackson aud family, WiHets and family, Willetts and family, Copeland and three ohildren, Lewis, Cross and child, Woodhall, Davidson and two children, Coombe and two children, Brightman and two children, Misses Williams, Smith, and Whitby, Messrs Green and wife, W. Rathall, wife and child, MoSaddery, wife and two children, Jackson, Garner, Ashford, Moore, Jeffers, Albao, Cameron, Dunn, Hurst, Rei'ly, Greggery, Searle, Murphy. Fulton, Train, Marshall, Glasgow, Davidson. The total number of souls on board, so far as is knowo, was 282, of whom 116 were saved, leaving 166 to be accounted for, all of whom are supposed to be drowned. Captain Saunders and Pilot Keating were on the bridge. It was bright moonlight, fine weather, and sea calm. There was no apparent danger. The vessel struck a rock six miles from Mount Adolphus, on her quarter, and ripped the whole side out of her. Nearly all the passengers were ou deck at the

time, and a panic ensued, the passengers scrambling; into the heedless of the commands of the captain and office rs, who remained cool throughout ihe excitiog time. In lesa time than it takes to relate, the wreck of the Quetta sank unridat the cries of thoao who were left on board in a helpless condition. A large number of both crew and passengers were swallowed up in the vortex never to rise again, while others flouted about and were picked up as quickly us circumstances would allow. Sorao of those reported missing may h vo reached the adjacent islands, but the hope is very remoia. Those saved are Miss Nicklin and baby girl, Messrs Corser, Clarke, Uentoo, Slaleit, Davidson, Wrnthall, Gregge'y, Cameron, Ashford, Murphy, Train, Dunn, Debney, Captain andofficers, 231ascars,25 co : oured firemen, 11 saloon boys, 3 Cingalese dec's passengers, 28 -Japanese deck passengers. Pilot. Keating and all the ladies in the saloon were drowned except one. Two boats got uway, and uftor landing the passengers

returned and pioked up more survivors. After the vessel struck the men rushed to the bout stations, and cleared them, and to this action is attributed the launching of the two boats, otherwise the loss of life would have been far greater. Not a Vestige of the /esse! remains.

Sydney, fthrch 1. The steamer Adelaide collided with the schooner Colonist in the harbor this afternoon. The latter vessel sank immediately, and one of her crew, named Kay lor, was drowned.