SCOW FOUNDERS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20715, 28 November 1932, Page 8

SCOW FOUNDERS.

CREW ABANDON SHIP.

ECHO ADRIFT IN WELLINGTON harbour. (WiESS ASSOCIATION WELLINGTON, November 27. Caught in a series of fierce southerly squalls about 11 o'clock on day night, the scow Echo, which was coming from Blenheim to Wellington, struck a rock near Pencarrow Head The vessel began to make wa rapidly, and the steering gear was damaged. She floated off and entered the Wellington heads, but was no manageable. Tho master decided to anchor. When this was done she swung round into the wind, but continued to leak. Jt was then decided to abandon ship, and tho crew rowed ashore m the lifeboat. The scow dragged her anchor, the cablo parted, and she drifted rapidly up the harbour and capsized. Those aboard were Captain Jarman (master), Rait (mate), Anderson (chief engineer), K. Beal (second engineer), F. Marge (cook), and .T. Moar, A. Swan, T. Adams, J. Anderson, and G. Ward. As soon as the crew had landed the Harbour "Board was communicated with. Tho pilot launch Arahina was dispatched, but the weather, which had abated for tho time, again became stormy and the scow could not be found. About midnight the tug Toia was sent out, but she also failed to locate the Echo, which was floating on its side almost submerged. The Toia returned to port, but left again at daylight, and very soon sighted the Echo about half a mile south of Somes Island, drifting in the direction of tho island. A line was attached, and the Toia towed her to the £!lyde Quay wharf, arriving about 10.30 a.m. The Echo still lies there on her side. Artillery's Help. Members of the New Zealand Artillery at Fort Dorset were able to give valuable help to tho crew of tho distressed vessel. Some of the Artillerymen were on their way home from the pictures when the news reached them, and they mado all haste to the fort. The searchlight plant was put into operation at once, and a beam was directod on the boat about 11.30 O'clock. The searchlight was of considerable valuo in enabling the sailors to leave tho vessel, which was accomplished about midnight. The crew landed at the Sefttoun wharf, and were then taken into the fort, whero accommodation and other hospitality were readily offered for the night, but as the crew had their homes in Wellington, tho harbour authorities obtained taxis and sent them to their homes. A Useful Electrical Plant. After tho crew came ashore the Echo was kept under tho light, but drifted slowly off towards Somes Island until she turned over and disappeared from sight about 1.30. Owing to the heavy southerly, the principal lights at Fort Dorset were out of action. This supply is from the city mains, and i# frequently affected by heavy southerly Windß. Fortunately the searchlight is worked from an independent unit in tho fort, having a portable engine. This plant is in the way Of making history for itself, as it was the first plant to be sent and sot up in Napier following tho earthquake which put all tho Hawke's Bay plants out of action, and was also sent to Christchurch for tho landing of Sir Charles RingsfordSmith. Although ho landed in the daytime, the plant was working and was ready for action. The Echo, when towed in, w»b tied up at the wharf. The staff of the local agents, Messrs Levin and Co., Ltd., together with men from Messrs A. Wood and Son, Ltd., began to remove tho vessel's rigging. The extent of the damage was not known this evening. She is to be righted to-morrow morning by the floating crane. A collision mat will then probably be put round the vessel covering any holes in the hull. Sho will then bo pumped out and put on the patent slip for survey. Opawa to be Ueoodnmiffiioned. Mr K. W. B. Anderson, of Levin and Co., Ltd., flew to Blenheim to-day t6 pick up a copy of tho cargo manifestos, and arrived back at Wellington in the afternoon. He told a reporter that Messrs Eckford and Co., Ltd., Blenheim, were immediately rccommissioning their motor-vessel Opawa, at present laid up at Blenheim. She is to leave there next Thursday, and will maintain the Echo's service between Wellington and Blenheim. Arrangements were also being mado for the steamer John to bring cargo from Blenheim to Wellington on Wednesday. The Echo, which left Blenheim on Saturday morning, had on board about 150 tons of cargo, principally wool, chaff, and butter. Some hatch coverings had evidently come adrift, as a certain number of boxes of butter from the vessel were washed up on Petone beach. The remainder of the cargo is apparently still in the Echo and will be unloaded to-day before she is taken to tho patent slip.