SUNK ON NIUE COAST.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 292, 7 December 1923, Page 5

SUNK ON NIUE COAST.

SCHOONER KAEO'S END. AT LAST LOADING PORT. After being absent from Auckland since September 30> Captain D. McDonald, master of the Kaeo,' which was wrecked on Niue Island on October 24, arrived in Auckland last night by the steamer Tofua, with the members of the crew.

The vessel in which they made the trip to Xiue Island was an auxiliary schooner, on her first voyage under contract with the Cook Islands Administration. Two ports were safely worked. Alofi and Avatele, and the vessel was to complete her cargo of copra at Tuapa on the western side of the island for the return to Auckland. The schooner was off shore in easydistance from Tuapa when the wreck occurred. She is now completely submerged in deep water. The ship's company, numbering 11 all told, reached shore saiely and were able to save much of their personal property, including the masters chronometer, compass and chart. A large barrel of lubricating oil, valued at £15, was washed ashore from the deck when the vessel went down.

The Kaeo was a f hree-ma sted schooner of IS4 ton 3, built at Whangaroa in 1905, at the yard of Messrs. Lane and Sons. She was engaged for thirteen years in the Auckland-Eaat Coast trade and is 1918 was bought by Messrs. S. R. Maxwell and Co. Lta-, from the owner, Captain Skinner. For her new owners she traded among the Eastern Pacific Islands until last year flying the French flag. In Otober last she wae bought by Messrs. Robert.-, Garrowav and Anderson. The Kaeo wai fitted with semi-Diesel Beardmore engines of 2tio tone-power, with tvjg screwy ■*£ ;■ .; ..l-'i.^liSj