CAPSIZE OF SCHOONER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9431, 31 January 1921, Page 5

CAPSIZE OF SCHOONER.

./ CREW OF SIX DROWNED. ■DISASTER AT WELLINGTON HEADS. HWRLED ON TO THE ROCKS. (Pfti Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 30. While entering Wellington Heads early this morning the auxiliary schooner Omaka, trading between this jport and Blenheim, capsized. The keeper at.Pencarrow lighthouse, sayg that he saw the vessel suddenly heel to a fierce south-easterly squall -and turn over. The little vessel vras laden with chaff. The bales and other wreckage were soon swept overboard. He saw at least four men, who were •hanging, on to the wreckage and maintained their hold until, pounded by the | .iierce seas lashing over them, they i dropped off one by one. The vessel was hurled on to the crocks and went to pieces. Portion of the deck cabin was carried to Petone, where it was washed -ashore. The body of one of the crew ■was found m it. As. soon as news of the disaster was , .reported many vessels went to the -heads and bays m the harbour to render assistance to anyone living aiid search for bodies, but no trace of the •crew, except Weekes could be found. hope is entertained of any of the *orew being saved. Their names are: — Captain A. E. Hunter, aged thirtyeight years, a resident of Island Bay. He leaves a wife and two children. John Tyreli Weekes, engineer, of Wellington, late of Westport. Leaves a wife and four children. William Watson, acting mate, twen- > .... ty-seven years," Wellington, unmarried. Harold Stapleton, twenty-two years, / ,: unmarried, with a mother resid:i ing m Wellington. J. Mar low, cook, thirty-eight of" Brooklyn. He leaves a wire and three children. Tomipy, . a boy, whose surname is unascertaihable, : late of ...the Rona. His" parents reside m the •■•..-*• i: Taranaki district.- .-;',.. :• . .T;he vessel belongs 1 to Ackland. and v jA <JD'mpanyjV.df'Blenheiiuyj