The Cook County herald., 1905-06-17

One of the most terrible stories of
sh1pwreck and suffering that has ever
darkened the annals of English shipping
has been brought in by the Government
steamer Amberwitch. which arrived in
the harbour on Sunday evening. Some
twenty-fve days ago intelligence was re-
ceived here that the steamship Knight
of the Bath, from Bombay to Havre,
with a general cargo, had been wrecked
on the Kooria Mooria island. about
thirty miles from the Arabian coast on
the south, and that the crew were sup
posed to have been saved. Without de-
lay, Captain Hext, director of Indian
Marine, ordered the Amberwitch, which
was then in Alden, to proceed immedi-
ately in search of the men. From that
time up 10 Sunday evening nothing had
been heard either of the Amberw1tch or
the shipwrecked crew.
The Knight of the Bath left Bombay
on the 18th June with general cargo.
her destination being Havre. Nothing
worth recording occurred until five days
after the vessel had left the port, when a
terrific storm was experienced. The
wind was blowing perfect hurricane
from the southwest, under the action of
which the sea was greatly disturbed,
huge waves continually sweeping over
the decks. Towards the afternoon the
wind moderated to some extent. but the
agitation of the water continued una
bated, and momentarily threatened to
bring about the collapse of the vessel
Not only was it impossible to determine
with anything approaching exactitu6e
the position of the ship, but owing to
the tempestuousness of the weather she
was almost beyond control. On the
morrow, the 18th June, land, which
eventually turned out to be the Kooria
Mooria island, was reported on the star
board bow. The captain Immediately
adopted measures, so far as he was able,
to guard against the peril which was
made to the chart it was found that
there were sunken rocks on the vessels
course. No time was now to be lost:
the danger was even greater than had
been apprehended. Everything that
skillful navigation and good seamanship
could suggest and the circumstances
would permit, was done to save the ves-
sci from being destroyed on the rocks.
The helm was put to port and the er.
gines reversed at full speed. Meanwhile
immense breakers appeared on the port
bow and swept over the vessel. All the
precautions which had been adopted for
the safety of the vessel proved to be o.
no avail. The waves dashed against her
with tremendous force, and though of
large dimensions she was pitched and
tossed about as If she were mere play
thing OF the elements. In about min
ute after the discovery of the position of
the sunken rocks she struck forwards,
and continued running up on the rocks
as far as the engine room, about mid
ships. It was now seen that the vessel
was doomed and that the only chance of
any lives being saved was by taking to
the boats without delay. The sea was
breaking over the ship both fore and
aft, and owing to the volumes of water
which were being poured in on all sides
the decks we're utterly untenable. Prep
arations were then made for Launching
the starboard l1feboat. It was swung
on the davits ready for lowering, but
the appalling tempestuousness of the
weather made the crew faint-hearted,
and for some time not ono of them
burst venture into the boat. Eventu-
ally the third officer and six seamen took
courage and entered it. Owing to the
motion of the vessel and the great force
of the wind the boat was violently
swung and jerked when hanging on the
dayits, and it was only by Crouching at
the bottom and holding on to the seats
that the occupants we're able to remain
in it. When the boat was in the act of
being lowered the vessel rolled heavily,
and it was dashed against her side with
great force. Ono of the men became so
alarmed that he jumped out into the
sea and was seen no more. Subse-
quently the boat was got clear of the
ship and was successfully launched
about seven minutes after the vessel
struck. Afterwards the chief officer
proceeded to man another lifeboat, and
the boatswain made some unsuccessful
attempts to obtain couple of lifebuoys.
The port lifeboat had been swung out
ready for lowering, when an immense
breaker swept over the vessel. carrying
the captain. .overboard. He is a good
swimmer, but owing to tho turbulence
Of the sea, which was like cauldron of
seethlng foam, his art availed him little.
He was tossed about for a/couple of
hours, and it is almost miraculous that
he was not dashed IN niacoe m thu rooko