THE KIA ORA BACK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 305, 23 December 1903, Page 5

THE KIA ORA BACK.

■ MR. BUCKERIDGE DEAD. A FATAL FALL. (By Telegraph. Association.) GISBORNE, this day. The yacht Kia Ora, which sailed from here for London on a cruise round the world, returned to. port this morning in charge of young Sowden, who reported that his companion, Mr. Buckeridge, died when three hundred miles beyond the Chatham s.

Mr. Sowden reports that Mr. Buckeridge fell on deck and injured his chest. For two days he complained of pain in the chest, and rapidly grew worse, dying on December 3rd, seven days after leaving Gisborne. Sowden was much exhausted from his trying experiences. LATER. A TRYING EXPERIENCE, at - (By Telegraph. —I'i-i'ss Association.) GISBORNE, this day. Snowden was three weeks battling against adverse winds and rough weather in his 1000 miles of journey back to Gisborne, and he was so distressed and emaciated t'lat he was several times about to give up the struggle in despair. lie Buekeridge's body on board for three days, and then threw it over board. Buckeridge being a heavy man, and Snowden being only a slight youth, and being weak from a crack on the head he received from a spar, he had to use a block and tackle to life the remains of his mate out of the boat and consign them to the deep.

The history of Mr. Buckeridge and the Kia Ora to date, if brief, has been eventful. A VENTURESOME SPIRIT. Mr. Buckeridge was rather a quiet unassuming man, aged about 33 years, and Ids physique was of the most perfect. He was regarded as having the courage of a lion, and as revelling in danger. Mr. Buckeridge was an Englishman, and fought on the British side in the Boer War. While there he was sought out by persons concerned in the Antarctic exploration ship, the 'Discovery, and offered a position on her. The element of danger surrounding the expedition took his fancy, and when she reached South Africa' he joined her. He took part in her expedition, and returned with her to Lyttelton. While there he came across Captain Voss., of the Tilikum, the little four-tonner which holds the record for dangerous ocean travelling. A nature such as Mr. Buckeridge's could not escape being drawn into the destinies of the Tilikum, and he became Captain Yoss's mate. Together they brought the little craft to Auckland, and exhibited her in a tent near the Public Library. Meanwhile, Mr. Buckeridge had been enquiring into the history of the Tilikum, and he discovered that she had never yet rounded Cape Horn, an omission which from his point, of view was intolerable. It is said that he pointed out to Captain Voss the absolute necessity of performing this feat if the Tilikum 'were to maintain her reputation for hazardous work, but that. Captain Voss disapproved of the venture. At all events, Mr. Buckendge ceased to he mate of the Tilikum. and struck out a line for himself. He arranged for the building of a 21 ton yacht, with which he determined to outdo Captain Voss and his Tilikum. By way of celebrating the new departure, he'crossed the terrible geyser at Waimangu in a small boat, accompanied by Guide Warbrick, and took soundings, emerging, safe hut perspiring, out of the dense cloud of steam on the other side. ACROSS THE WAIMANGU GEYSER.

There was something peculiarly fascinating about the adventures of Mr Buckeridge from this time onward. His feat at Waimangu, where no man had ever dared to dip an oar before, was the talk of the colony, not only on account of the danger "attending it, hut also because of the information which was anticipated as to the depths and temperatures of the geyser lake. The feat was accomplished with complete success, hut then came a sequel which struck a thrill of horror into every corner of the colony. The waters of Waimangu arose in a gigantic flood, overwhelming the most venturesome sight-seers and killing four. THE KIA ORA. The yacht which was in course of construction for Mr Buckeridge at Auckland was to be named the "Kia Ora" (or Good Luck). The builders were Messrs. Railey and Lowe, and when the craft was completed and safely floated a short time afterwards Mr Buckeridge expressed his keen satisfaction with it. It was a yacht of 2,}. tons. 22 feet overall. Gft. Cm. beam, with a depth of 3ft. Gin. aft. and graduating forward. It was built (so far as the woodwork was concerned) entirely of New Zealand woods, and had a lead keel of 7i cwt. The yacht was launched in Stanley Bay on Wednesday, October 15th. by Mrs W. .Tagger, who. in performing the ceremony, said: "I christen you Kia Ora. May you have good luck." Perhaps it was ominous that as the craft left the slips she nearly capsized. On touching water, however, she rightted herself, and was safely floated. HER PROVISIONS. It was believed that Mr Buckeridge was backed by a syndicate- Arrangements were now made to provision the vessel for her long voyage. She was loaded up with concentrated foods and [95 gallons of water. The water was 1 made to serve the purpose of ballast, and as it was used up it was intended to replace it with salt water. The water was estimated to be sufficient for two men for ISO days, but it was hoped to catch a good quantity of rain water occasionally to replenish the supply. The I code-pit was lined with zinc for salt water baths, and this could also be used for collecting rain water-

A HAZARDOUS TRIP. Mr Buckeridge (proposed to sail straight for London, via Cape Horn, calling only at Slnten Island. The trip would occupy four or five months. In London he would exhibit the yacht for a month or two. and he would then cross the Atlantic in time to attend the St. Louis exhibition, where he intended to show pomethjim: that Uncle Sam could not beat in the way of small ocean-going craft. THE TROUBLES BEGIN. Mr Buckeridge left Auckland in due course for Gisborne. where he was to pick up his mate. Mr Isaacs, of Auckland, accompanied him, intending to go as far as Gisborne, and see him off for 'is voyage to Loudon, Tn ihe at-

tempt to make Gisborne, however, they encountered very heavy seas, and not. having things in readiness for such rough weather the salt water played havoc with their provisions. They endeavoured to gain the shelter of the Barrier, but were foiled, and finally, missing stays near Point Rodney, went ashore. Both men got safely to land, and the yacht, which was only slightly damaged, was brought back to Auckland for repairs. AT GISBORNE. Another start was made. This time Mr Buckeridge was accompanied by a young man whose friends, it seems, did not approve of his going. At the last moment they chartered the Ferry Company's fast launch, the Ruru, and made for Motutapu, where, the weather being rough, they expected to find the Kia Ora sheltering- But the Kia Ora was braving the elements on her way to Gisborne. This time she arrived in

safety. At Gisborne she picked up the permanent mate, Mr Sowden, formerly fourth mate of the Tyser liner Niwaru. SLIPPING THE LEASHES. But now a new trouble arose. The Marine Department forbade the ocean trip, on the ground that Mr. Buckeridge did not possess an ocean certificate. This was a formidable difficulty, and Air. Buckeridge obtained permission to proceed to Wellington and endeavour to induce the authorities there to remove the objection. Once in the open sea, however, he seems to have changed his mind, and have started for London. He was not heard of in the vicinity of the Chatham Islands, where the captain of the Toroa sighted him on December 2nd. On December 3 Mr. Buckeridge was dead.

INTERESTING PERSONAL NOTES. News of the sad ending of this venturesome man has been sent to his father, Mr. V. Buckeridge, of 13, Bread street, Cheapside, London, by an Auckland friend. This friend to-day informed a "Star" reporter that Mr. Buckeridge was a very clumsy man, and the news that he had fallen from aloft did not altogether surprise him. He was the kind of man who would fall into a boat instead of stepping in, and would fall out on landing instead of stepping out erect. He was, however, a fine-built fellow, with a manly character, a rare good nature, but an overflowing love of adventure. He was at one time employed on one of the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamers, and was a good navigator. In the Discovery's expedition, in which he took part prior to touching at Gisborne, he was one of a sledging expedition to the South-west which was away for over three months. He came back to New Zealand with voluminous notes of his scientific observations in his "farthest south" trip, and some of his contributions found their way into the public press. An injunction, however, was obtained by the Royal Geographical Society restraining him from giving his records further publicity. It is said that a relative once taunted him with being a coward, and he rowed that he would do everything in his power to prove that the accusation was untrue.

Mr Ernest Davis, of Auckland, was a personal friend of Mr Buckeridge, and he informs us that when first Air Buckeridge proposed the trip he did Ids utmost to dissuade him. But Mr Buckeridge was determined to go. He was, says Mr Davis, a very temperate man, and he believes the only intoxicants on hoard were a solitary bottle of liqueur brandy, which was taken for medicinal use.

So far as is known Mr Buckeridge's life was not insured. He made overtures for an insurance, but none of the companies would accept him, one official remarking: "I would not insure you at 99 guineas per cent."

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