SYDNEY DISASTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3086, 7 January 1909, Page 5

SYDNEY DISASTER.

CABLE SEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copy;i3;ht,

♦ ACTS OF HEROISM.

QUICK WORK BY SHIP'S BOATS

Received January 6, 10.37 a.m. SYDNEY, January 6,

The tow-line between the launch and the pinnace was 60ft long. The steamer struck this first, and almost immediately afterwards fouled the pinnace.

The captain ol the Dunmore states that the steamer was going dead slow. When he saw that an accident was inevitable tne engine was reversed, and the vessel was almost at a standstill when she struck the boat.

The survivors, after the first moments of consternation, during which a number of those in the water were pushed under in the struggle and had no chance to rise, displayed great coolness, and performed many acts of heroism, those able to swim helping the non-swimmers. One man managed to swim ashore. Rescue boats from the warship were on the scene within three minutes.

An enquiry into the disaster was opened on board the Encounter, but was adjourned. The Federal Premier Mr Fisher, sent condolences to Vice-Admiral Sir R. Poore, Commander of the Australian squadron. FUNERAL OF THE VICTIMS.. SOLEMN AND IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE. THE LAST SALUTE. Received January 6, 9.25 p.m. SYDNEY, January 6. The funeral of the fifteen bluejackets took place this afternoon, a;.d was a solemn and impressive spectacle. Between four and five hundred naval men dressed in white first assembled in the temporary chapel at Garden Island, where the coffins of their comrades lay. A brief service was held. The wives of the captains in charge of the naval depot and the captain of the Encounter deposited two beautiful wreaths in the chapel to the memory of the men. After prayer the assembled men sang in unison the hymn "Brief Life is Here Our Portion."

Strong men brushed aside tears as the thrilling service for the dead proceeded. The service concluded with a hymn for those in peril on sea, and the white-robed sailors stood as the "Dead March in Saul" was played. Then they filed past the row of coffins out inta the sunl'ght to take part in the landin? end burial of ih.Mr dead comrades. At the man-r-war stairs the bodies were landed, and the mm as wi:o fixed bayonets formed a guard as the cofif.ns covered with the Union JacK passed. The marines stood to attention, and the bugle call sounded. Jt was the last solemn salute to the dead.

The cortege then started id! the cemetery. Dense crowds thronged the route to tne Redl'ern Railway Station, whence the bodies were taken ti Necupjlis. Hushed stillness pervaded the great tb>:ong. Flags everywhere were at halfmast. A MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY. WELLINGTON, Januevy 6. Sir Joseph Wr-vd has asked his Excellency the Governor to convey to Admiral the sympathy of the Government; and people of New Zealand in connection with the disaster at Sydney, where so many bra\e men belonging to the watwiip Enc.V)t3r loi't their lives.