Terrible Disaster at Sea.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2474, 11 December 1886, Page 2

Terrible Disaster at Sea.

(ReUTER'B TELEQBAMB,) (Received December 8, 12,40 p.ra.) Sydney, this day. The steamers Helen, Niooll and Keilawarra came into collision last night off Trial Bay, on the coast of this colony. ' The Keilawarra sank in seven minutes, and the captain and 35. of the crew and passengers went down in her. Three of the Helen Nicoll's prew are missing. The Keilawarra is a vessel of 1000 fens', owned by Howard Smith and Sons, (Limited). . ' The Koilawarra's crew numbered 35 all told. .The total' loss of life amounts to 43, made up as follows :- 25 passengers of the Keilawarra, the Captain, and 11 of the crew, and 6 of the crew of the Helen Nicoll, All the mates and engineers of the Keilawarra were saved, ,• .Among the .passengers who were drowiiea-.was. Mrs Wilsbne, /of Brisbane, daughter! Ibf iMadame Carandini, the well known; .'vocalist. McGrade, the Victorian jbctey was also drowned.•., ' ; '. Later, - It is feared: that both Mr and Mrs Wilson hare perished with the wreck

Keilawarra. The steamer Australasian is bringing the Helen Nicoll to Sydney. The steamers Game Cock and Lawrence have gone to meet them, and it if expected that they will arrive to-morrow morying.

(Received December 10,1 p.m) Sydney, this day. Mr John Macdonald, drowned in the Keilawarra, was a brother of Mr Macdonald, manager of the Union Bank at Nelson, and Miss Calder was adaughter of Captain Calder of the Keilawarra. The Schepper family, who were all lost, had but recently returned from Germany, and were proceeding to Maryborough. The Chamber of Commerce has voted an address of sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. (Received December 10, 2.10 p.m.) The steamer Helen Nicoll arrived here from Trial Bay this morning with her passengers. A great crowd met her at the whaif, and much excitement prevailed. The Keilawarra was. struok amidships, close to the engines, and retreat from the saloon was thus cut off.

It now appears that the passenger named Mrs Wilson, who was drowaed, was not a daughter of Madame Carandini, as at first stated, The Captain Calder referred to in last telegram is captain of the steamship Victoria, not Keilawarra. Sydney, December 10. The greater number of the Keilawarm's passengers, who wer« brought to Sydney this morning by the Helen Nicoll, were in a most exhausted condition, Heartrending Bcenes took place at the wharf on the arrival of the vessel. From, the statement of the survivors it appears that at the time the collison took place the weather was rather hazy,- though up to that time the weather had been clear, The collision is described as something terrible, the wildest confusion prevailing on both vessels, and the ladies on board, the Keilawarra running about in a state of perfect bewilder, ment. A boat was lowered from the Keilawarra,! but was instantly rushed and went down with twenty people in it, several_6f whom failed to regain the ship, When that vessel sank most heartrending cries were raised, as the Keilawarra was thought to be the safer vessel. When the ships parted many of those aboard the Helen Nicoll attempted to jump on board the Keilawarra,, but failed to reach hor. Those who lost their lives on board the Helen Nicoll were crushed to death while asleep in their bunks, v

Later. No one on board either vessel appears to have seen the approaohing lights, but when the situation was grasped tho passengers aboard : the Keilawarra behaved in a most trantic manner, and a most distressing scene took place, women and ohildren shrieking with fear. A number of men rushed the boats heedless of the captain who oried shame on their cowardice, The total loss of life amounts to 41. It now appears that Mr, not Mrs, Wilson has' ■ beendrowned/ .'