OCEAN DISASTER

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10587, 19 March 1912, Page 5

OCEAN DISASTER

CABLE NEWS

(United Press Association —By Ele> trie Telegraph—Copyright.)

LASCARS TERROR-STRICKEN

WOMEN AS BRAVE AS THE ME'

(Received March 18, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, March 17. i Tho Oceana carried a. crew of 2cV. ■and forty passengers. Tho remainder of tho passengers intended to join the steamed at Marseilles. It is estimated that four passengers have been drowned. The bodies of a stewardess, a. Lascar, and a lady have ■been found. Possibly half a dozen of the crew perished. There was a terrific crash when the vessels collided. A hole twenty feet ■wide was made in the Oceaua, and there was a .great inrush of water, j The discipline of tho officers ond the j 'European section of the crew was exj emplary, but the la scars huddled toI gother, alternately wailing and screaming, and terrifying tho otherwise corageous womenfolk, who were . awaiting their turn to get into the I boats as patiently as the men. Life- ] belts had beeai distributed. There was ample boat accommodation. Tho swamping of the first boat is attributed to nil accident to a block rope. M&s Macfarlane, a clergyman's daughter; was the only occupant of that- boat wiio was rescued. She states that her father, mother, and some ladies were drown-' ed.

HARDSHIPS

Thirty-two of the passengers arrived in London in their night-clothes. Some were wrapped up in blankets and towels? but all w'ere bareheaded. »

The ship's oarpenter was 'lying in his berth at the moment of the collision. His leg was smashed. A passenger had an arm fractured. The captain and the remainder of the crew quitted the Oceana only when she was settling down. Within twenty minutes she heeled over, her stern rising. Dense smoke announced an explosion. Tho vessel lies on an even keel.

PISAGUA IN A SINKING CONDITION. The Pisagua's damages are worse than was thought. She arrived at Dover in a sinking condition.

SUPPOSED L s OSS OF 17 LIVES. TRIBUTE TO BRITISH OFFICERS. (Received March 18, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, March 17. The Oceana sank six miles oft" Eastbourne. It is now believed that seventeen persons have been drowned. The Germa,n ship's officers pay a tribute to the officers of the Oceana for their coolness, adding, "The captain behaved with the greatest presence of mir>d-,Jiko all British captains.

VALUE OF THE BULLION

NO NEED FOR I,O'SS OF LIFE,, (Received Last Night, 10.45 o'clock.) LONDON, Maroh 18. The exclusive bullion on the steamer Oceana, as cargo, was value at over ,£100,000.. The vessel floated for seven hours after the collision The pilot declares that the loss of life was unnecessary. None should ihave perished had the boats been lowered immediately, ibuit.no such order was given .from the bridge. ' ' The Pisagua's bow was driven in. The watertight bulkhead kept J "he vessel afloat.