The Bega Disaster

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3752, 8 April 1908, Page 3

The Bega Disaster

CABLEGRAMS.

United Press Association. (By Electric Telegraph—Coypright)

Sydney, April 7. Splendid discipline was displayed on board the Bega. Owing to the excessive inclination of the deck the greatest difficulty was experienced in getting the boats launched and passengers transhipped. A passenger states that during the run to Bermagui a list to port was observed, jwhich shortly after reversed to starboard.

The women and children, who behaved with calmness, were placed in the boats with as many male passengers as could be accommodated. Then seven passengers and the bulk of the crew took to the life rafts. The cause of the disaster is unaccountable, for the vessel was surveyed a week ago. It took the Bega's boats thirteen hours to effect a landing. The boats were connected with each other by a line. One of them, containing women and children, had to be baled continuously owing to the plug being left out, and to the inability to discover the aperture in the darkness and through its crowded condition.

The women used shoes and hats as balers. There were no rowlocks on this boat which had to be taken in tow by another heavily laden one.

Cries went up from the women's boat that they were sinking, and then two or three of the men who were towing the boat demanded that the line should be cut.

Feeling ran high and an angry scene followed.

This boat was also taking in a good deal of water.

A passenger named Sharp, who'was sitting in the stern was handed a knife .and asked to cut the line, but he threw the knife into the sea. No food or water was placed inHhe boats, and the occupants suffered much from thirst. Four seamen on the Bega behaved splendidly. They took the oars on leaving the steamer and never ceased pulling for twelve hours. When nearing the breakers the rowlocks were passed to the boat which was in tow and the rope severed. The breakers bore both the crafts high up on the beach, where they were capsized; but in safety.