HULK COMES TO LIFE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 11, 12 July 1930, Page 11

HULK COMES TO LIFE

HASTY ESCAPE FROM REWA

An exciting experience befell Mr. G. A. Bennett, tho caretaker of the barque Piowa, when the vessel suddenly developed a list as she lay on a reef at Moturekareka Island, where she has been stranded for use as a breakwater, reports tho "New Zealand Herald." The Rewa. was beached at the island on 2Sth Juiie, and tho caretaker commenced his duties on 2nd July.

The caretaker had anticipated that something of the sort might happen, and he accordingly slept iv a cabin on; the poop, instead of iv the captain's cabin which had been prepared for him. About 2 o'clock in tlie morning the barque started to list slightly, and thero wore mysterious rumblings and the sound of falling materials almost continually throughout the night. About 5 o'clock there was a crash. The bow-lino parted with a loud report, and the barquo heeled uvei- to port, hoi- movement being accompanied by the rattle- of things falling below. -It was an eerie sound to .one sleeping' alone on the ship, and, thoroughly aroused, Mr. Bennett ran vn to the dock, which sloped at such an angle that walking was difficult/ Fearing that tho barque inigh't heel right over, Mr. Bennett started £pr the shore, climbing hand over hand on the land-line from tho stern, assisted by the light of a torch sliono. from the shore by a man who had responded to his whistle. Clad only in his pyjamas, and with bare feet, -Mr. Bennett struggled ashore. He had not. gone far before the rope sagged and he was up to his armpits in. water. For about 20 yards he waded, gripping the oystercovered rocks with his bare feet, and! reached the shore safely. 'So the stranded Rewa lies with alist at an angle of about 45 degrees. What caused her to heel over has not yet been:' definitely discovered, but it is stated that she appears to bo safely strand,ed now. The two large anchors which were slipped when the. Rewa left her anchorage in tho harbour opposite Birkenhead, on 28th June, were recovered on' Thursday.