THE BEGA WRECK.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3753, 9 April 1908, Page 3

THE BEGA WRECK.

A TOUCHING SCENE. Sydney, April 8. On the beach a touching scene was enacted. Here gathered a forlorn and tattered party of women, hatless, bootless, one clad in a nightdress only, others but half clad, fatigued and drenched to the skin, with minds wearied by the anxiety of the wreck, the perilous journey, and the scene, when it was proposed by some cravens to cut them loose to drift helpless, perhaps to eternity. This had worn them out, but they formed into a group, mothers with little babes in their arms and children clinging round their skirts, on the lonely seashore and sang two hymns of thanksgiving to Him Who holds the sea in the hollow of His hand, Who had led them in safety through peril and dread. There was not a dry eye present; it was the reaction that followed a night full of incidents, alarm, and danger. LATER PARTICULARS. AN EXAGGERATED, REPORT. A SERIES OF MISHAPS. Sydney, April 8. The steamer Peterborough, which is bringing part of the Bega's castaways to Sydney, put into Kiama, disabled through an accident to the air pump. The castaways were landed, and made the remainder of the journey by train. Interveiwed, Captain Davies, who was acting chief officer of the Bega, and in charge of the women's boat, declared that the boats were fitted with everything necessary, and denied that one was without rowlocks and the plug out. Those in the passengers' boat, whc were towing the women's boat, confirm the statement that a suggestion was made to cut the painter by a seaman, who produced a knife; but it was strongly resented by the others in the boat, and anyone attempting to do so was threatened with rough treatment. The knife was afterwards returned to the owner. ' All pay tributes to the coolness and bravery of the women and childern. The steamer Boomerang, which was sent to the relief of the remaining castaways, met with an accident to her engines, delaying her for several hours.