LOST IN STORM.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19363, 16 July 1928, Page 9

LOST IN STORM.

WRECK OF THE WHITE BAY.

SOLE SURVIVOR'S STORY.

(C!fITM> PBESS ASSOCIATION—BT SLSCTWO TELEGRAPH—COPTBIQHT.)

(Received July 15th, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 15,

An inquest has been held on the body of the Italian seaman who was washed ashore at Newcastle from the wreck of the White Bay. The Italian seaman, Rioupero, who was the sole survivor, gave evidence that when the captain found that he was unable to make Newcastle he fired off rockets. They saw a boat come out from Newcastle, but the White Bay had blown further north and the vessel was unable to give any assistance. .„ .

The White Bay was blown still further north, and as it neared Stockton Beach the captain called the firemen out of the nold and instructea the crew to don their lifebelts. As they were doing so a great sea struck the ship and she turned over. When witness came to the surface he saw the White Bay, keel upwards, 25 fathoms from, the shore. There was no sign of the captain or the crew. Witness then swam ashore.

A verdict of drowning through shipwreck was returned, the Coroner adding that everything that was humanly possible had been done to succour the White Bay, but that it had proved an impossible task. —Australian s Press Association.

[Tho coastal steamer, White Bay, a wooden vessel of 134 gross tonnage, was driven ashore on June 14th at Morna Point, near Newcastle, during a most severe cyclonic gale.]