THE MISSING HAWEA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 198, 19 August 1908, Page 5

THE MISSING HAWEA.

TUG SENT IN SEARCH. CBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Tuesday. The Union Steam Ship Company have made arrangements for the use of a tug to assist in the seach for the Hawea, and it was to leave Newcastle to-day. The tug is a powerful one, and should be in the vicinity of the Hawea to-morrow night. SYDNEY, August 18. Mr. Irwin, chief officer of the Hawea. who was in the boat which landed on Monday, relates that after leaving Newcastle the Hawea met with heavy southeast weather, and high seas. At 5.45 o'clock on the morning of July 30 the shaft carried away. They found it was impossible to effect repairs, and endeavoured to sail the ship, without avail. Although there was a heavy easterly sea, the vessel behaved splendidly. When the vessel was 83 miles southeast of Cape Byron, the second boat was dispatched. When it left the Hawea the weather was fine, and the occupants expected to reach the mainland the following morning. At 10 o'clock the same night the wind freshened from the eastward, and a heavy :ea got up, which threatened to swamp the boat. She put out her sea anchor and used oil bags. The wind increased to a strong gale, with a high sea. The forepart of the boat was covered with canvas, which was strengthened with the boat bottom boards, but, notwithstanding, the crew were kept.continually bailing, and never expected to live through it. They were unable to sleep, and the food supplies just sufficed till they lauded. The gale lasted for 40 hours, land being sighted on Monday morning, and the men reached the shore half-perished. The Tofua will leave to-night to assist in the search for the Hawea. The tug Advance has also been dispatched.