THE DEVON ASHORE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 203, 26 August 1913, Page 5

THE DEVON ASHORE.

ON PENCARROW ROCKS. VESSEL BREAKING UP. CREWS FKRTLOUS POSITION. (By Telegraph.— rrees Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. While the Federal-Shire liner Devon was steaming out, southward bound, amid a smother of driving rain, to-night, she went ashore near the low level light at the head. A very heavy southerly gale was running, and the sea was in exceptionally angry mood. The carlieat information received from the lighthouse indicated that the vessel wax hard and fast on the rocks, about 100 yds from the shore. A tremendous sea was running, and it was impossible to lower a boat. The first intimation received by the postal authorities tAiat the vessel was ashore came from the Delphic, which is lying in quarantine off Somes Island, opposite the entrance to the harbour. She reported that distress signals had been observed in the direction of the heads. The ferry steamer Wahine stood by until a quarter to ten, when she proceeded on her way South, after sending a "wireless message to cay that she was unable to read the Morse signals from the vesßel. The captain of the Wahine considered it impossible to render any assistance, owing to the tremendous sea and the position of the wreck. ONLY ONE BOAT LEFT. A further wireless message from the Wahine stated that the Devon had reported that she had only one boat left. A telephone message from Penearrow stated that no lights were visible on the Devon at half-past Cen. Tho ferry steamer Duchess left for the scene of the wreck late to-night with tfie harbourmaster and others. It is also reported that a party is endeavouring to make its way overland. The Duchess took, in addition to the harbourmaster, a pilot, Morse signalman, and a detachment of police. The idea is to approach the Devon as near a* possible and communicate "with her by a Morse lamp, or else land a party which will proceed to the scone of the wreck along the bench.