LOSS OF THE WAITOTARA.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 156, 2 July 1917, Page 2

LOSS OF THE WAITOTARA.

. HOW THE CHEW TARED. XEWS EROM NOUMEA. The first direct news of the fate of the Lnion Co.'s steamer Waitotara was brought to Auckland to-day by one of the steamers which were "ordered to search for the crew when it was learned that the vessel had been abandoned. The steamer was at Norfolk Island on Tuesday. June 19, when a cable was received ordering her to go in search of the boat of the Waitotara. which was stated to be on fire in mid-ocean. She immediately made preparations to sail, and proceeded in the direction of the burning vessel, taking various courses and zig-zaggiug over a large expanse of water, but saw no signs of either the burning vessel or her boats. After a fruitless search the steamer arrived at Noumea on Saturday. June 23. and then learned that all the members of the crew had been picked up and landed there some days before. Tlie Waitotara was proceeding to Sydney with a cargo of copra and benzine. While che was in mid-ocean, lire, possibly caused by spontaneous combustion, broke out in one of the holds, and. although discovered early, rapidly gained a hold and spread over a great part of the vessel. Tlie disorganisation usually associated with such a disaster at sea', was happily absent, and the manning and dispatching of tlie boats was carried cut without confusion. The captain, who was in his berth at the time of the alarm, had n<j time to dress, and left the ship in his pyjamas, losing all his personal effects. The crew were similarly unfortunate. The boats were lowered at the first opportunity, those on the leeward Bide of the ship being rowed round tn Windward. The number proved more than enough to accommodate the crew, and the provisions carried proved ample. So that when they were picked up, 24 hours later, by a steamer, the men were in no distress. When the crew arrived at Noumea the British (on.-ul there billeted them at different hotels in the town, and provided them with immediate necessities. Everything was dune to help Hie men. and when the steamer, which is now in Auckland, left Noumea they were awaiting the steamer w-hich was to carry- them to Sydney.