WRECK OF THE ORPHEUS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 267, 10 November 1934, Page 2 (Supplement)

WRECK OF THE ORPHEUS.

(By Mary Fletcher, Huia, via New Lynn.) When the ship Orpheus met with disaster on the Manukau Harbour, euch great seas were breaking over the ship that it was impossible to stay on the deck. The crew went aloft and clung there for hours. A small vessel coming out of the Manukau for the run to Waitara and Xew Plymouth saw the wreck, but could not render much assistance, other than standing by for a few minutes while several bluejackets plunged into the boiling seas in the slim hope of being picked up. It was doubtful whether the circumstances would warrant the change, but the more hardy ones jumped, plunged and battled until they were able to grasp the friendly ropes thrown from the trader. It is not known how many essayed the feat, but many failed.

The trading vessel could not wait longer, as she was in imminent danger of joining the Orpheus on the sandbank. The Bhip'e boat, wliich had been launched, had meantime won through to the pilot station, just inside the Heads, but the station was not then connected with Onehunga by telephone, nnd night had fallen before the 20-mile trip was accomplished. The war vessel H.M.S. Harrier was lying at Onehuriga, and as soon as word of the disaster was received herculean efforts were made to expediate her departure to render what aid was possible to the stricken victim of "Tarn's Fishing Nets," The Harrier "was much too late, for just before sunset it was evident that the beautiful corvette was doomed to break up within a few hours. Indeed, so ominous was the situation that the vessel's commander, from a precarious position in the mizzen rigging, told his men that they had better put their trus-t in God, for he (the speaker) was convinced no human help could save them. He told them they could try and win shore if they wished, adding that he intended staying with his ship so long as any of the crew remained. They were seamen true to their glorious heritage as Britishers, for within a few minutes the mainmast snapped off at the deck and went over the side with its human freight. While the mast was falling, many of the men cheered fearlessly and liearteningly, and took up tho battle with the waves. The men on the mizzen mast soon followed into the icy waters. The brave commander of the vessel was drowned; some say a falling spar killed him, but more probably he was knocked overboard by a falling mast.