A BREAK ON THE BAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 81, 5 April 1923, Page 5

A BREAK ON THE BAR.

9RIGIN OF LORRAINE TRAGEDY LAUNCH UNABLE TO TURN BACK. Mr. Silston Cory-Wright, another of the three survivors of the launch Lorraine, whose wrecking on the Tairau Bar was attended with such tragic, results, has arrived in AucklaucL Mr, Cory-Wright's story of the disaster con. firms in the main tlie circumstances related by Mr. T. Jenkins, another of the survivors. It. however, discounts the belief that the Lorraine was wrecked in an endeavour to rescue Mr. Rotialdson, who was washed over from the Klida, which vessel was showing the Lorraine the passage over the bar. Mr. Cory-Wright, who had transferred to the Lorraine, at tlie request of the latter's captain, states that ou reaching the bar the EHda reconnoitred and reported that the bar was apparently- not breaking, though fairlr rough. The' Auckland boat followed the Klida, and when the latter got close to the bar a warning was shouted. The Lorraine saw a break light across the bar, but it was too late to turn. A wave caught, the .stern of tlie launch and threw her round in port, washing two men (Walsh and Culhane) and the dinghy overboard. One of (be men was hauled aboard, but the engines, which, had stopped, could not he restarted, and in thin awful predicament the launch was pounded by tlie sea. Four subsequent waves broke over the little vessel to be followed lnone which struck her with terrific force, turning her on her beam ends, and throwing the whole complement into tlie water. Mr. Cory-Wright seized some wreckage and valiantly swam over to Mr. Walsh, whom he relieved of some of his clothing and assisted ill keeping afloat until the pair were rescued by the Klida. FURTHER SEARCH FRUITLESS.. The launch Klida continued the search outsido Tairua all Monday tinder the supervision of the police. The beaches on shore and on the neighbouring islands are being regularly patrolled, but it seems unlikely that anybodies will be recovered, at least, for Eome (lavs. The launch Lorraine is al total wreck, and only fragments are beinjr found on the beach. The Prime Minister telegraphed to Tairua sincere sympathy from himself and Mrs. Massey for the bereaved relatives, and this message from Mr. Massey has been much appreciated. Numerous friends and the Tauranga Yacht Club also kindly sent telegrams of sympathy.