THE LOSS OF THE BEGA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9123, 24 June 1908, Page 4

THE LOSS OF THE BEGA.

The finding of the Marine Court regarding the loss of the Bega, which was published in our cables on Monday last, may be regarded in many quarters as unsatisfactory. The irrmediate cause of loss of the vessel was the presence of water in thn ship, but for the rest everything is enveloped in mystery, and is likely to remain so. It is a long time since the loss of a vessel on the Australian coast has created such a sensation as did the foundering of the Illawarra Company's steamer Bega last month. The vessel, which was a twin-screw steamer of 567 tons, built 25 years ago, was bound from the South Coast to Sydney. She leftTathra at about 7 p.m. on April sth, and foundered

about four hours later in calm weather. Thp first indication of danger was a sudden list to starboard. On being turned to get the wind the Bega fell over on the other side and gradually settled down. One passenger died on board from shock, but the others, together with the officers and crew, safely reached shore next morning, after twelve hours spent in boa f ,s and on raffcal The admirable conduct of the ladies and children in the most trying circumstances has been the subject of much public praise. The vessel carried a valuable cargo, the value of the Tathra shipments alone being estimated at £15,000. A number of the shippers were uninsured.