The two survivors, Captain Burnard and a seaman, of the crew of the British steamer Rheubina, which foundered off Cape Villano on September 22, after collision with the Spanish steamer Cartagena, arrived at Plymouth on Friday morning from Gibraltar by the steamer Palawan. Both men, who are the sole survivors of the crew, were met by a representative from the owners of the Rheubina, and, in company with the Swede, Nelsen, disembarked at Plymouth and proceeded to Cardiff by a Great Western train.
Seen by our representative, Captain Burnard, whose right hand was bandaged, declined to make any statement with regard to the collision, remarking that he had said all he was going to say for the present at Gibraltar. Asked to describe the particulars of his rescue by the Bencorlic, Captain Burnard was equally reticent, and flatly said he should say nothing concerning his experiences. Messrs. Cory and Sons' representative was also obdurate, and could not be prevailed upon to persuade the captain to add to the meagre information which was to hand of the unfortunate occurrence. The sailor, Nelsen, was spoken to before the captain was approached, and he admitted that at the time of the collision he was at the wheel. It was very dark when the stranger struck the Rheubina, as it was about three o'clock in the morning. The sea was moderately smooth, there was very little wind, and there had been fog. Nelsen declined, however, to express his opinion concerning the speed of the two ships at the time of the collision or the distance off [sic] the approaching vessel was seen before the disaster took place. Further than this Nelsen would say nothing. Information elicited in the course of conversation with some of the blue-jackets who came home in the Palawan was to the effect that Captain Burnard had not been very communicative with regard to the details of the collision, but the Swedish sailor had not been so reticent. When the Rheubina foundered, which she did a few moments after the collision, being almost cut in twain, they lost all their effects, nothing being saved but what they stood upright in. Almost as the steamers cleared from one another, the Rheubina commenced to founder, and this was the cause of such a great loss of life, the men who were below and the engine-room staff having scarcely time to come on deck. Her heavy cargo and the huge quantities of water which poured in through the gaping aperture in the Rheubina's side gave her no chance to keep afloat. The strange steamer, which proved to be a Spanish vessel, the Cartagena, from Aviles to Barcelona, kept in the neighbourhood, but the rescue of Captain Burnard, and of Nelsen was effected by the British steamer Bencorlic, which opportunely arrived on the scene and rendered timely assistance. Everything possible was done to save further life, but nothing could be seen of the remainder of the crew. A keen search was made, but in vain, and then the Bencorlic resumed her voyage. Every kindness was shown the two men on board, change of clothing being provided them. Three days were spent on the Bencorlic, and then they were landed at Gibraltar, to be sent home in the Palawan, which left that port on Monday morning. Captain Burnard and Nelsen left Plymouth yesterday morning (Friday) for Cardiff.
Source: The Western Mail 1 October 1898, Page 6