AN ABANDONED SCOW.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1189, 26 July 1911, Page 7

AN ABANDONED SCOW.

LOSS OF THE WHANGAROA

A PERILOUS TIME, By Telcirraph—Press Associatlon-Copyrleht (Roc. July 26, 1.0 a.m.) Sydney, July 25. Tho crew of the New Zealand scow Whangaroa have arrived from Lord Howe Island, on which they landed after their vessel became w.ater-logged and had to be abandoned during her passage from Mokau to Sydney, timber-laden. Tho crew had a trying time, and got within 200 miles of tho New South Wales coast On June 19. Tho heavy gales swept and knocked about the vessel in an alarming manner, and the deck load of timber had to be cut adrift. !" The vessel was, however, still driven helplessly before the waves, which made a clean breach over her. The crew in working the scow were often waist-deep in water. . The pumps were kept going, but gradually the scow settled down, and became water-logged, tho cargo of timber keepiug her afloat. The only place of safety was the top of tho deck cabin, where the crew crawled and hung on to ropes. The galley was gutted, but the cook managed to save a tin of biscuits and a bag of potatoes. This was the only available food for nearly a week, during which the crew hung to their frail shelter. Tho gales still howling, and tho rain for three days fell in torrents. When the rain ceased the water supply failed, and this added to the men's sufferings. The Whangaroa was still drifting, but there was no chance to ascertain their position as all the instruments were lost. At last tho deck cabin was smashed, and the crow wero deprived of their only shelter. Just after this Lord Howe Island was sighted, and the men took to the boat, and'they reached the island in an exhausted condition.