THE WAHINER'S REPORT.

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

THE WAHINER'S REPORT.

LMPOSSLBLE TO RENDER ASSISTANCE. (By Telegraph.— Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The steamer Wahinc had a dirty run down the coast, and arrived at Lyttelton late, passengers missing the South express. Captain Edwin states that he got the first news of the Devon wreck from the Wellington harbourmaster, who wirelessed that a vessel outside the heads was showing distress signals. At the heads. Captain Edwin saw a masthead and side lights a little to the east. He was unable to decide whether the vessel was actually on the rocks, but knew she was close inshore. The Wahine slowed down and endeavoured to communicate with the digtressed steamer by Morse lamp, but got no reply. By this time he concluded that the ship was fast on the rocks under the low level light at Pencarrow Head. He stood in as close as was safe, and resumed Morse signals, but the Devon was showing so many red flares on deck tb/.t it was impossible to decipher her messages from her small Morse lamp. However, the master of the Wahine ascertained her name, and asked if the crew could land. He was told "No." He asked if the Devon had any boats. She replied "Yes," but did not specify how many. Captain Edwin wirelessed all the information he had as to the vessel's position to the Wellington harbourmaster, stating that owing to heavy sea and gale it was impossible to render assistance, and any help would have to come from tlie land-side. Captain Edwin was then advised that the Duchess was being sent out, and as he could be of no further service by standing by, he decided to proceed to Lyttelton. He states that there was a big sea running in the straight, and the night was fairly thick. PROBABLY A TOTAL WRECK. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The latest from the -wreck shows that the Devon will probably be a total loss. There are 60 men aboard, and these are being landed by line at the rate of about six an hour. The vessel has a thousand tons of general merchandise from Montreal aboard. The sea is still rough.