THE PERICLES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10010, 5 April 1910, Page 5

THE PERICLES.

WOMEN'S PLUCK. "EVERYBODY BEHAVED SPLENDIDLY." United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received April 4, 10 a.m. FREMANTLE, April 3. Captain Simpson, in a fuither interview, said tfce Pericles was steam- ' ing about fourteen knots whan the disaster occurred. The weather was Tine. There was a fairly heavy swell. He and the second mate were on the bridge taking bearings. Everything | seemed absolutely normal, and cor- | rect. According to the chart the vessel should have been in perfectly safe water. | He was following the same route taken for years. "I felt one violent shock,'' he said. "That was all. I think we struck a knob of rock, and the force of the impact carried it away; otherwise the vessel would have—but did not—strike JJaft. The was continuing to travel aneaa. Though the bulkheads were closed immedi-* ately, and the pumps started, that availed nothing. mere was a Dig inrush of water. A steamer passed not far away, but failed to notice our signals of distress. "Everybody behaved splendidly. The maxim, 'The women and children lirst,' was studiously respected. Everything went off as smoothly as clockwork.*' The captain added that he could not too highly praise the women for the pluck and conduct generally.

OFFICERS ANDXCREW.

RESOURCEFULNESS AND FORETHOUGHT. Received April 4, 8.30 a.m. FREMANLTE, April 4. The Pericles' passengers speak in high terms ofjpraise of the resourcefulness and forethought of CaDtam Simpson and his officers and crew. Immediately after the striking soundings were taken, the bulkhead doors closed the pumps started, signals of distress hoisted, and preparations made for getting out the boats. The captain's orders were promptly obeyed. There was no confusion and no panic.

WRECK IN ABOUT 25 FATHOMS OF WATER.

LITTLE PROSPECT OF SAi-VAGE. Received April 4, 10.30 a.m. FREMANLTE, April 4. About thirty of the Pericles' passengers are returning to their homes in preference to completing the voyage to England. The wreck lies in about 25 fathoms of water. There is little prospect of salvage.