(Condensed from the Rising Sun)
Farther details have now been received of the disastrous collision in the Inland Sea between the P. & O. str. Ravenna and the Japanese cruiser Chishima Kan. They are not, however, of an. official character, and muatconsequently be taken with reserve, but the general effect is to point to some sort of mistake upon the partof the ill-fated cruiser, Accordingto the report, the Ravenna had just sed the Kurusima Strait, when the red ight of an approaching Vessel was observed by the pilot and chief officer on watch. Being "red to red" no danger was apprehended, but as the sighted vessel appeared to be going at a very high rate of speed, to make doubly sure, the Revenna's helm was ported to slight extent, and ported tuo, The Ravenna was ti judging by appearance the oth south of Musuki-shima, and wh on board thought everything was all right, much to their surprise, as they gradually drew closer, it was observed that, for some unaccountable reason, the approaching vessel hud altered its' tactics, and lad starboarded, as a green light suddenly have insight, The Ravenua's helm was at ones wut hard-a-port, but us thored light had that time disappeared green light only v as evident that the vessel was attempting to crows the Ravenna's bow. The close proxitnity of the vessels, added to the speed at which they were going, now rendered it utterly impossible to avoid a collision and although the orders were instantly given to go **full speed astern" and "hard-a-starboard," on buard the Ravenna, there 6 for these orders to take effect. The inevitable then occurred, and the ves-came together with a terrible crash. The Ravenna struck the Chishima right amidships, between her two funnels, and virtually cut her in two halves, causing her to sink almost instantly, taking with her all those who happened to be below at the time,.or who were killed or injured in the combined with the fact that ines were going full speed astern, brought the Ravenna almost to a stand: still. Her. bats were then immediately lowered, and search made for the survivors of the unfortunate sunken vessel, resulting in sixteen being picked up, including Lieut. Kaburaki, who was in command of the Chishima, and ihe French engineer. After transferring her passengers to the Emprexs of Japan, as already reported, the Ravenna, steamed slowly to. Horiye Bay, where temporary repairs were executed. On Saturday the 3rd instant the Karenna resumed her journey under steam, anchoring off Isaki Lighthouse during the nig and arn ug a Nagasaki the followin morning. same day jer local cargo. was discharged, and early on Monday moriiing'the discharging of her Hongkong and through cargo was commenced. This was completed on the 6th, and she was taken into: the Mitsu Bishi Co's dock for repairs wext day. The damage to the Ravenna commences by a comparatively clean cut through the stem and bow plates along the 24-foot mark, which extends aft some eight feet. This doubtless was caused by the steel protective deck of the Chishima, From this down to the vicinity of the water-line, some six or eight feet is completely smashed in; and below that, down to, and including the fore-foot, is 80 badly bent to starboard that it will have to be entirely renewed.
A. Court of Enquiry has been duly applied for, and at the time the report left there was a probability of in ana. The state mer inoer, Esnenult, were on board the Chishima and were lost, correct, and the report of the second officer of the Ravenna having lost four fingers whilst lowering the boats is also happily not true.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.