(Daily Press.) most serious aceilent which happened. this We regret deeply to have to record o
morning, (13th February), at about 7 o'clock, to the small steamer Wan Loong, which has been recently built to run. between this and Canton. "A short time after starting, she was seen to sway first towards one side, and a little after towards the other, and finally she turned over and sank. The ticulars of the sad accident, so far as we ye been able to ascertain them, are as follows. It appears that the vessel, as notified in our regular issue of this morning, started from Messrs. John Burd & Co.'s wharf at seven G'elock. She carried a cargo, but accounts vary as to the exact number of passengers on board. It is generally believed, however, that there were between 200 and 300. As might lane been expected, a very, lage crowd of Chinese assembled on the Praya to see the vessel start. She got clear of her mot all right, but in taking a turn to come under the stero of a small German yacht lying near, she gave a roll inwards, in the circle she was des-Eribing. On her upper decks were @ large number of Chinese, and at th ray, they all Pai ran to the other side, a mover it which at once brought the vessel over. The dead weight at the low side kept her from righting herself again, and er slanting ttitide prevented those on the top from getting to the high side. So the vessel went right over, and at oni sank close to Messrs. Aug. Heard & Ca. buoy, in about four fathoms of water. stated, though with what foundation, if any, we cannot say, that there was very little ballast in the boat. Some men were sent down below to right ud it was stated they were unable to get out again, but this does not appear to have been the ease, as large numbers were seen standing on her side after she had heeled over, and many of them were rescued. Fust befor went down, a wild cry arose from th board, which was at once caught
of spectators rushed along the Praya, to sre by those on the shore, and some hundreds what was the matter, and the excitement became intense. Several house-boats were immediately on the scene, as were also boats from the Hartford and Princess Charlotte. Inspector Stroud was prompt in getting all the police boats available to the scene, and a large number were thus saved, although it is feared that about 100, if not more, have been drowned. The saved were brought on shore, as they were picked up, and the police had the ambulances ready to carry away the des. The police at the time of our going to press were dredging for bodies about the spot, as rare aleo four shrimp boats, We understand that the vessel looked so unsteady when starting that one of the police sergeaut- was so appechenaire that she would go over, that he orred the boats to be manned at once. The Captain and engineer were saved. We understand that divers from the Princess Charlotte are to commence operations at once, as the steamer is eridantty settling down in the mud. From some articles that have been picked up, it is supposed that at least one European has been drowned.
The catastrophe has caused a deep senss-. tion among the Chinese, who were greatly interested in the success of the new boat, and had been eagerly watching all connected with her. The season at which the accident has occurred renders it doubly sad, as the bulk of the passengers were returning to their families for the New-year, and the grief which will be caused will, therefore, be keen, and widespread. It'is, of course, impossible to speak with any certitude as to the actual cause of the accident, but it is probable that it resulted from overloading the vessel, as the bait of a for 50° cents would, of course, attract a large journey to Canton at the New-year's season number of passengers, and the temptation to take more than the vessel could safely carry would be great, We heard from free or four disinterested natives that the Chi attribute the accident to this cause, and ib. reems the most probable, taking all the circumstances into consideration. fo doubt the matter will be fully investigated, and in the meantime, we abstain from maki ments, ad confine ourselves to expressing our deep sympathy with all concerned in this' sad affair.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.