THE FIFESHIRE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10411, 4 September 1911, Page 5

THE FIFESHIRE.

CABLE NEWS

United Press Association — By fflec' trie Telegraph—Copyright.

DETAILS OF THE DISASTER.

SUFFERINGS OF THE SURVIVORS

(Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.)

LONDON, September 2. Renter's correspondent at Marsailles reports that twenty-five survivors of the steamer Fifeshire, which was wrecked at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden, have arrived aboard the steamer Goth. A passenger, in an interview, stated that at the time of the disaster heavy seas, a gale and fog prevailed, and peoplo on tho deck could not be distinguished. Sudddenly a violent shock was felt, and those below rushed on deck. The passengers spent the night in a state of agitation, though the ship lay absolutely fast and motionless. In the morning, an attempt was made to get the vessel off. A hole in the bows, however, developed a serious leak, and all hope of getting the vesel off was abandoned. In the evening, as the gale was growing, and the ship was gradually filling with water, which had now reached the cabins, the captain called the passengers together, and preparations were made to leave next morning. Provisions for ten days were stored in four of the ship's boats, and each of the 108 persons aboard the Fifeshire had a place and a boat alotted to them. They passed the night in dreadful mental agony. At ten o'clock in the morning, the sea having moderated, they took their seats in the boats, and set off in the direction of Aden. In tho evening a strong southerly wind was blowing, and they lost sight of the other boats. Througb the fog they caught sight of a dark mass, which proved to be a liner going southwards. The fired signals of distress, but these were apparently not heard. The night was spent in extreme misery. The occupants of the boat were drenched to the skin by the heavy .seas breaking over the frail craft, and they were shivering with the cold. Towards two o'clock in the morning itliey were filled with hope on hearing the sound of the siren, of the steamer Adour, whose look-cut had ttneiard tiheir frenzied sihouits. After immensie difficulty the 27. •p.raoq <uo <|joS e.pM q/uoq eqa ut They found that another boatj with t-wenty-foiuir aboard, had been (picked up five hoiurs previously. The searcfli wa& oomltinued, and the sfteiamer Giatitenfieild altered' her course, and', assisted in the. quest. The survivors aboard the Gfotlh appeared tic- have suffered greatly from tihe cold and exposure.