THIRD EDITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 129, 2 June 1922, Page 2

THIRD EDITION.

THE WILTSHIRE WRECK

THE LATEST.

THRILLING NARRATIVES.

TOL9 BY MEN FROM THE WRECK,

A TREMENDOUS THUMP FELT.

THEN A GREAT DRIVE ON TO THE ROCKS

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

TRYPHEXA, this day. STORY OF THE WRECK. Tho n>2ll who have come asliorc relate a vivid story of their experiences during the past thirty-six hours. Heavy weather and torrential rain had been experienced for ten hours prior to the wroek, and it was impossible to see a ship length off. The impression existed that the ship slowed down somewhat about twenty minui.es before she struck. Prior to that she was averaging 320 miles daily. A TREMENDOUS THUMP. There was a terrific thump when the Wiltshire struck, and she gave four distinct jumus as her impetus forced her on to the rock?. The whole complement of the vessel was immediately summoned to the boate. and a rocket of distress was sent up. Tiie boats were swung out on the lee side, and all hands ; stood-to for one and a-half hours, every moment of which intensified the suspense. A large sea was breaking over the vessel, particularly aft, and when it be--1 came only too apparent that any attempt to land a boat would see them dashed against the cliff by terrific seas, it was agreed to await the break of day. A NIGHT OF ANGUISH. All hands spent a night of anguish in the saloon, and the ship shook from I stern to bow as each wave struck her. Every man except the ship's officers went forward at dawn, and about 9.30 p.m. l the Arahura was seen in the roadstead. Although she hung about she was powerless to render any assistance. The position at this time was extremely precarious, as the ship had listed to starboard, and the after portion was in deep watrr. SHIP SNAPS IN TWO. This was the condition of affairs until about 11.30, when, with a noise like a thunderclap, the ship snapped in two about No. 4 hatch. Captain Haywood jumped from the bridge, and the officers swung themselves down from the forecastle on a rope. Simultaneously, I with the excitement of this incident, ' there sprang a ray of hope in the ' breasts of the men. who had suffered hour after hour of mental anguish. ' wondering what the next moment would bring forth. Xow they knew, however. ] that the forward part, relieved of dead weight behind, would probably remain ' secure on the rocks. j

About this time settler.- had arrived on the cliff, ar.d every manner of effort was availed of to get a line ashore. HATCHWAY FLOATED ASHORE. Rockets proved of no avail in combatting tho storm, and were all carried, adrift, while floating object:; met with a similar fate. Eventually, about 2JSO p.m., a hatchway safely divined its object, lloating on to the shore, being secured by the patient workers there. Long hours passed before an endless line had been established, and Wheatiey, the ; first man, was drawn loot by toot to the shore. At intervals three of his companions joined him, and then operations were suspended for the night. SHORTAGE OP PROVISIONS. Xow the mental anguish of those on ; board was aggravated by physical ', endurance. With the exception of a, little steak there were no other pro- ! visions aboard until supplies were got from ashore. This rooming aa attempt was made to get papers from the bridge, but the search was fruitless, and the ship was verily* a total wreck. SHIP'S POSITION ALTERED. ! The Wiltshire had altered her position and appearance- since my first glimpse obtained from the Te Awhina yesterday. Only two of the lifeboats remained in the davits, the rest having been carried i away. Three masts are still standing erect forward in defiance of the tempest, which has abated to a moderate gale. The smoke stack, somewnat smaller than the ordinary, is there, while another mast is pitiably striving to maintain its position, immediately behind it. Yesterday the submerged portion of the ship was just discernable, but it has now disappeared. WRECKAGE PILING UP. Wreckage is piling up on shore, particularly on the Kaitokc beach, where many mail bags have been observed. Cigarettes in tins of fifty have floated ashore in thousands. The old saying that it never rains but it pours was illustrated at the expense of the first ten who got ashore, for they lost their way in endeavouring to clear the mile of bush leading to Rosalie Bay. After an anxioue hour in the bush they eventually got free and came over the hilly and heavy bridle tracks to Tryphena, whence they were conveyed to Katoa.

Later reports from the wreck chow that the rescue work is proceeding, ami it is doubtful if all of the nun can ba got aehore before night-fall.