SHIPPING DISASTERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8368, 27 February 1907, Page 5

SHIPPING DISASTERS.

THE WRECK OF THE BERLIN. HERO OF THE RESCUE. Received February 26, 8.59 a.m. LONDON, February 25. In connection with the wreck, on the coast of Holland of the passenger steamer Berlin, fifteen of whose passengers were saved out of over one hundred and forty passengers and crew, the hero of the rescue operations was a Dutch captain named Sperling* He swam sixty feer through the surf from a small boat to the pier, and thence through the waves t/» the wreck, carrying a life line. With the help of three others, he rescued the last three women, before the lifeboat men returned.

Prince Henry, husband of Queen Wilhelmina, received a great ovation yesterday at The Hague for helping and encouraging the rescuers. Once or twice he risked his life.

THE CARNARVON CASTLE VOYAGERS.

HUNGER, THIRST, AND MADNESS.

Received February 26, 9.29 a.m. PERTH, February 26,

Captain Jones, of the ship Carnar- J von Castle, is very weak. The sur- I vivors in his boat had a terrible time after parting with :the mate's boat. The weak boys were raving, and strong men were praying and crying alternately. The captain put the crew on quarter 1 rations. . The biscuits became saturated with saltwater, and the eating of them set up a fearful craving for salt water. On February 13th the ship's carpenter ate ravenously, despite orders to the contrary. Soon after he laid down quietly, and seemed to go to sleep. He had died. A week later a boy named Brigg developed the same fatal habit, and also died. On February 19th the water gave out, and the provisions were finished, the following day. The same night a steamer passed them without observing their slow fires. On February 22nd they saw the Cape Naturaliste light, and there was great' rejoicing. The crew state that but for the captain's discipline most of the men would have gone ; mad. THE IMPERATRIX. FORTY DROWNED. Received February 26, 8.59 a.m. ATHENS, February 25. Forty were drowned at the wreck of the Imperatrix. All the passengers were saved. The cargo consisted of timber and sugar, and was valued at £BO,OOO sterling. (The Imperatrix is a three-masted steel crew si earner, of 4,213 tons, built in 1888, 385 ft long, 45ft beam, 23ft depth. She is owned by the Austrian Lloyd Company, and is registered at Tresfce.)