The Blue Funnel boats' crews under Mr. Millar, second officer, and Mr. MecNicoll, second engineer, were able to begin their magnificent work shortly before nightfall. Attention was chiefly given to the area'round the Bluff, including the reclaimed Bluff under the cliffs.
The scene here was indescribable. The whole of the flat land was deluged with household effects, portions of roofs, plaster, and brick rubble, pinioning down the dying and fatally wounded. Even the survivors who had_ escaped - injury were stained with blood. Their clothing, too, was in rags. Many foreign women and children were taken by landing parties at this spot. The Bluc_ Funnel boats' crews concentrated their labours in this section, having - been advised to do so by the launch which had brought so many on to the ships during the rough weather of the afternoon.
The whole of Messrs. Butter-~ field & Swire's staff were in the office just before noon. The roof collapsed and then the office ceiling. Mr. -Harley, who arrived on the Lycaon in. rags, tried twice to rise from his chair, but" was thrown back on each occasion. Mrs. Harley, in her bedroom, saw the wardrobe flung across the doorway. She managed to move it and escaped down stairs.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.