Aconsiderable sensation was caused this Colony on Tuesday evening by t report that the homeward bound P, and mail steamer, the Thames, had gone ashore, on her way out from the harbour, in the Ly moon Pass, Lhe Thames left her buoy at about quarter-past four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, homeward bound, and steamed slowly through the harbour to the Ly-es-moon Pass, " route commonly taken when the steamers are heading in that direction at start The whole day had been somewhat thick, and at that time a heavy fog was beginning to settle down over the harbour, The first news that arrived of the disaster was a telegram forwarded from Shan-ki-wan Police Station to the Central Station, stating that the vessel had gone ashore on a spit just syond §Shau-ki-wan od East Pui that there were two feet of water her fore hold. This information was passengers and their is, were at once taken ship by launch, and were conveyed back to Pedder's Wharf, and lauded there about seven o'clock. The damage to the vessel could not be precisely ascertained at thotime, but it was evident that one or more of the plates had gone forward from the rapidity with which water found its way into the forehold. The danger seems to have been sven just bef-re the vessel struck, but not in time to The we her. steamer was going out slowly at the time, and her engines were reversed at full speed, and her anchor dropped, but her way could not be taken off soon enough, and she went ashore, first with a by y tremor, and then she heeled over considerably, and seemed to drop upon a rock, which haa probably caused te damage to her bottom, as the second shock was considerably heavier than the first, and was accompanied by aloud crash. Lhe vessel was then backed off 1d_taken close into the shore and it is believed she is no danger. Cargo boats were sent out soon as the news was brought in, wit all despatch, and the Thames is being lightened as quickly aa possible; meanwhile, we believe, the Hongkong and Whampoa Deck Company have been communicated with, and the Cosmopolitan Duck is being got ready fur her reception with all prompliudo.
We learn that the disaster occurred shortly after five o'clock, in the midst of [vey heary fog, The Tames seems to have just cleared one point, and gone upon the next. Moat of the passengers were below at the time, and of course the shock occasioned sorns alarm, all running upon the deck, but Captain Seaton soon calmed down what little excitement there was by his coolness, and his assurances that there was not the least danger. The vessel was backed off, and taken close inshore, 80 that had it been found she was making water too fast to remain afloat, she could at once have been run aground, and every precaution was taken for the safety of those on board. It was so thick and foggy at the time that those on board could not see where they were as they came up on deck, It was but a short time before ter became known at Shauvkiwat and soon the vessel was surrounded by small craft, The Company's action was very prompt in the matter, for by about seven o'clock the passengers and their luggage were removed from the vessel, and alongside Pedder's Wharf, and not long after the mails were taken back to the Post Office, One lady among the passengers states that the vessel heeled over to such an extent as to cause some glasses and oarthenware to tumble off the table, and some ornaments on the side-board also to fell, and at the second shock there was a very loud noise, though the first shock was slight.—Daily Press, 3rd March,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.