THE JANE DOUGLAS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1335, 12 January 1912, Page 5

THE JANE DOUGLAS.

CAPTAIN'S ACCOUNT. TURNED TURTLE IN SINKING. (Kj Teleffraoh.-Projs Assoolatlon.l Nelson, January 11. Tho shipwrecked crew of the steamer Jane Douglas roachocl Nelson by the Pateena this morning. Captain Vendoro states that his vessel was beating through the Straits from Wellington to Hnkitika in a blustering south-easter. Tho boisterous weather continued after tho steamer had entered the I issage between Stephens and D'Urvillo Islands, where there are several rocks, and was piled up on Saddle Rock, where the Wainui struck somo years ago. The captain declares that Steeple Rock and Saddle Rock arc wrongly marked on the chart, the names being transposed. At midnight the vessel was steaming beneath heavy clouds. All hands wero on deck. At 12.20 she struck, and sank in live minutes. Despite tho black darkness, the crew showed no panic. The captain ordered tho levering of a boat, and tho mate took chargo, while the captain stayed aboard.

The engines were ..racing furiously, telling of a snapped propeller. Rapidly the hull listed sideways and slid off tho rocks. As the water came level With the deck, the captain grasped.a lifebelt, but was Bucked under for some depth. He came up half drowned, still clinging to the lifebelt, as ho was unable to swim a stroke. After some search, the boat found him in rather a bad way. Tho captain thinks tho vessel turned turtle before reaching the bottom." Tho plight of the shipwrecked crew was hapless. Almost all wero only half-clad; some wero without boots, others without Bhirts or coats. , .

A course was set in the boat for Port Hardy. A heavy sea soon tired the rowers, who took turns at tho oars. It took four hours' struggle to near the land. The men were unable to get ashore owing to the tide being against them. At 5 a.m., however, they effected a landing. They tramped, mostly shoeless, over rough country to Lord's homestead, where they received every kindness. Here they stayed till 3 o'clock in tho afternoon resting, as the captain was far from well after his immersion. They then were taken on to the French Pass in a launch, joining the Fatccna, and coming on here.