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Goolistan - collision

On a voyage from Karachi for Plymouth with a cargo of wheat & other grain & a crew of 35 of whom 9 were Arabs, the Goolistan sank after a collision with the Liverpool steamer Inventor in thick fog between Orpoto & Vigo off the coast of Portugal on 9 September 1904. The steamship Inventor was 2,219 tons & had been on a voyage from Liverpool to Lisbon & Pornamnbuco with a general cargo & 30 hands. When it was realized the Goolistan was sinking her crew took to the boats intending to board the Inventor. 15 of the crew got into the port boat which then left the sinking vessel & the remainder into the starboard boat with the master the last to leave. The port boat capsized & as the starboard boat was full she had to despatch her crew aboard the Inventor before she could go to the rescue. Nine persons were picked up but when there was a muster aboard the Inventor it was found that the 3rd officer & six of the crew were drowned. An attempt was made to tow the Goolistan but this failed & she sunk. The Inventor was found solely to blame & the owners, Harrison Line, were ordered to pay up to £33,301 in damages. The 3rd officer & 6 of the crew were lost.

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