THE WRECK OF THE BERLIN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8367, 25 February 1907, Page 5

THE WRECK OF THE BERLIN.

LONDON, February 22

A plank washed ashore yesterday evening bore an intimation that 15 were alive on the Berlin.

Only four were seen this morning.

During the day the lifeboats made further fruitless efforts to reach the wreck in. the face of the hurricane ana snowstorm. The cold is intense. , The Great Eastern Company's steamer Clacton (820 tons) arrived an hour and a-half after the Berlin struck and stood by for many hours, vainly endeavouring to render assistance.

The Clacton herself was, in the meantime, in great peril. Those on her saw people huddled on the decks of the Berlin, and saw the sea sweep(ing them off in batches. The tug established communication with the Berlin by means of hawsers. i The crowds ashore, watching with telescopes, saw eight persons rescued. THE REMAINING PASSENGERS RESCUED. Received Yesterday, 4.27 p.m. LONDON, February 23. All those alive on board the Berlin, numbering 15, including six women, were rescued. Amongst those are Frauleins Buttel and Gaebler, of the Opera Company. After the forepart broke away, carrying many who were standing around the funnel, the survivors took refuge in the remains of the stern smoke-room. The number gradually diminished as the waves washed them out. Several were frozen to death. Scores were drowned inside the saloon. When the 11 were rescued on Friday afternoon the lifeboatmen waded at low water, during a temporary lull in the storm, breast deep from the pierhead to the wreck. The waves often overwhelmed the leader, but he held on to the woodwork of the pier, and the survivors slid into i his arms, and were passed along the chain of men to the boats. The sea was calmer on Saturday morning, and the wreck was more approachable. The lifeboatmen were able to reach three German women, who feared to leave the vessel yesA terday, and lowered them by a rope. Many bodies are being recovered, including a child clasped in the arms of the steward to whose charge it had been confided.' Captain Ruthern, of the steamer Dunster, passed the wreck just after the disaster, an 1 was unaware that his wife was among the victims. Prince Henry, husband of Queen Wilhelmina, accompanied the rescuers, and encouraged them throughout the operations. A relief fund has been opened at Harwick. The Great Eastern Railway Company subscribed £SOO.