TRAGEDY OF THE SEA.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1914, Page 5

TRAGEDY OF THE SEA.

STAR OF NEW ZEALAND IN COLLISION FIVE PILOTS DROWNED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON. 15th May. The Star of New Zealand, which was at one time in the New Zealand trade, collided on Tuesday night in the Bristol Channel with the Cardiff steam-pilot cutter, \V. W. Jones. The cutter sank within three minutes, and five lives were lost. There were twenty-one men, of whom ten were licensed pilots, on board the ill-fated vessel. Fifteen saved their lives by scrambling up the chains and anchor of the Star of New Zealand, and another was rescued after having been some time in the water. . i It is stated that the pilot boat was manoeuvring with^the object of putting a pilot on the .Star of New Zealand. Wlien that vessel struck the boat all en board tjie latter with the exception of Ernest Foulkes, the second mate, who at the time was in his bunk, reached either the chains or anchor stock of the steamer. They would all have been saved, but unhappily the sinking pilot boat listed heavily, and her masts and spars swept the side of the Star of New Zealand, up which the crew of the cutter were swarming. Four of the men were struck and hurled into the sea. The steamer cruised about till daylight, with the object of rescuing any who might be still alive, and Alexander Foulkes was picked up clinging to a raft of cork fenders. A SURVIVOR'S STORY. A graphic story was told by Nicholas Hixson, second engineer of the W. W. Jones, who was in charge of the engineroom at the time of the accident. Ho said that between 10 p.m. and 10.15 on Tuesday night they heard the pilot call from the Star of New Zealand, and soon he got the order "Full steam ahead." After running for about- five minutes he heard a cry from a. mate, who was on deck, "All hands on deck," and a moment later a call of "Stand by the boats." ■"Suddenly," said Hixson, "the side of the ship bulged in. I made a spring for the ladder, but whon half way up 1 slipped and came down. I made a second rush, and this time I reached the top, but slipped and fell on the deck. Captain England caught hold of me and gave me a hand up', exclaiming, 'Come up quick over the bridge • that's the way, the others are all going up to the chains arid anchors.' Tliis was our best chance of scrambling on hoard the other steamer, but it was a terrible struggle. When 1 reached the bridge I saw that the chains were covered with our men, and so I made a spring for the anchor stock. As I did so 1 saw Captain England grasping the chains with both his arms and heard him shout, 'Give me a rope.' In the rush 1 lost sight of him, and I don't think he was seen again. I was pulled on to the deck of the' Star of New Zealand." The W. W. Jones was one of three cutters lately purchased by the Cardiff Pilotage Board at a cost of £200 each, to take the' place of the old sailing cutters.