THE PEARL FISHERY DISASTER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2311, 3 May 1887, Page 2

THE PEARL FISHERY DISASTER.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.) |reuter's telegrams.] Melbourne, April 30. Latest accounts received from Perth, Western Australia, regarding the disaster to the pearling fleet, are of a somewhat conflicting character. Tiie fleet is reported to have been 250 miles to the north-east of Cossack when the hurricane occurred, most of the boats being well laden with shells. The master of the Australian reports that 40 of the craft were in Gourdon Bay, many of thein being seriously damaged. He supplied the crews with food. He reports that many bodies were seen floating about in the vicinity. The total number of boats lost he estimated at forty. Five hundred and fifty men are missing, and it is known that 37 Malays have been drowned. Sydney, April 30. Accounts received from Western Australia of the shipping disaster state that six schooners and fifty luggers, representing 300 lives, have been lost. Each of the luggers contained six men. It is considered probable that many of the boats have been blown out to sea. Of the entire fleet s(i vessels were owned by Sydney firms. THE LATEST. (Received May 2nd, 3.20 p.m.) Melbourne, May 2. The latest news from Perth shows the accounts of the disaster to the Pearling fleet to be conflicting, and it is doubtful if the deaths exceed three hundred, and possibly less.