KETCH CAUGHT IN A STORM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 129, 30 May 1908, Page 9

KETCH CAUGHT IN A STORM.

TWO OTHERS PKOBABLY LOST. ADELAIDE, May 21. The ketch Napperby, in company with the Monarch and "Albatross, loaded with sleepers, sailed from Kangaroo Island for Port Pine in beautifully fine weather. The vessels had got 30 miles south-east of Page's Islands, in the Backstairs Passage, when a great storm carried away the Napperby's mainsail and greatly damaged the others. The captain decided to try andi run back to Kingscote, and was in the act of bringing the vessel roandi •when a huge sea rolled over her from stem to stem, washing a 400-gallon tank, threeparts full of water, from one end of the vessel to the other. The captain and the mate had a narrow escape from heing washed overboard. After several unsuccessful attempts the captain succeeded In neading the vessel for Kingseote, and eventually reached the moorings. Both anchors were dropped, but the wind was so strong that the vessed driftedi ashore and remained there for forty-eight hours, when the wind dropped, and on the tide rising the vessel floated off again. She had sustained no damage. When the vessel was ready to sail again the crew refused duty, stating that they considered the vessel unseaworthy. The captain will ship a fresh crew to-morrow. The captain states that he sighted the Monarch and Albatross at 10 p.m. on Tuesday last, but saw nothing of them after, that. As no news of the arrival of the vessels is to hand, fears are entertained for their safety.