A DRIFTING VESSEL.

Evening Star, Issue 11697, 1 October 1902, Page 4

A DRIFTING VESSEL.

[Special to the Stab.]

GISBORNE, September 50. In -view of the fact that the Christchurchowned barque Timaru is overdue. some seven weeks from Lyttelton to Kaipara, and much anxiety is being felt concerning her, considerable interest was created in the report which reached hero this morning from Turehau stating that a large vessel, partially dismasted, was sighted off the coast. Steps were at once taken to send her assistance, and three vessels went in search of her, on© (the Harbor Board's dredge John Townley) bearing a largo quantity of provisions and fresh water for the relief of the vessel if required. Unfortunately the wind freshened at noon, and boro the ship away too rapidly from the pursuing vessel, which reluctantly returned to port, but there are hopes of her beinj} picked up to-night off Portland Island b\ one of three steamers—tho Omapere, Th Anau, and Fanny—which are travelling between Napier and Gisborne. The steam trawler Beatrice, which left Gisborne at 9.50, returned to port at 3.30. She left the riverat 9.50, and after clearing the bay : headed inwards the Ariels. When off Tuahini Point a sail was/sighted on the port bow to the southward and outside of the Ariels. It was very misty, and there was a heavy swell. The Beatrice made good pace, slipping along at the rate of about 8 knots. At noon the vessel was within four miles distance, and could be plainly seen to be a ship in distress, having lost her main and mizzen masts. On her foremast she had the following sails set:—Fore" sail," lower and upper topsails, and fore staysail. The fore-royal mast was gone, and from.the top of the broken mast was flapping what was either, a piece of broken sail or a signal of distress As the Beatrice drew nearer a man could be seen standing at the wheel. The ship was standing oh the starboard took towards Mohia, and was about twanty-five miles distant from Gibt borne. As the Beatrice approached, the

wind freshened, and the shib's head slewed round to the southward. Signals were made to arrest her attention by blowing the whistle, but no attempt was made by the ship's company to lower, sail or to rcspotid to signals. The disabled ship was an iron vessel of about 1,800 tons, painted black, but was rusty, With a white poop and deckhouse. She was heavily laden, and the davit? were scon, but no boats, and there was no sign pf the stumps of the broken masts. The ship was running to the fcouth--west before the wind at about 8 knots, i.rid tho Beatrice, after a good spin, found herself unable to keep up with her. The course she is taking should take her about ten miles off Portland If-land to-nteht. There was a heavy sea otftside, and she was rolling heavily* At 12.20 the trawler gave tip the chase and returned to port. PROVES TO BE THE SAiItJEL PLTMSOLL. A TERRIBLE PLIGHT. [Pi* United Press AssociWioK.] GISBORNE, October 1. The disabled vessel proves to be the bajque Samuel Plhnsoll, bound from Glasgow with general cargo for Duhedih and Auckland. Sbo was picked up by lbs Orrapere at 7.30 last evening off Portland Wand, and towed to Gisborne. Captain Jaffray and the officers of the vessel report having had a Very severe experience during thi past fortnight She left Glasgow on June 18, and passed the Nuggets Point light after a passage of ninety-one days. It then came on to blow heavily from the south-west, and the barometer was extremely low. The vessel was hove-to for three days; rolling terribly and seas breaking over her. At breakfast time on Friday Week a heavy squall came on, and the vessel rolled heavily. The main and mi/zen maßts fell over the port side with a tremendous crash, but fortunately no one was hurt. It Was with great difficulty that the wreckage was cut away. The ship all that day wae at the mercy of the seas, and considerable quantities of water found its way below. It is believed that the cargo in the main' hold has been damaged. The vessel was then driven north, and all hands had a most anxious time since, with little sleep, and are quite done up. They were frequently at the pumps, there being now eleven and a-half inches of water in the main hold. The foremast was very shaky, and had to be stayed up with fresh gear. The deck was continually full of water. Two of the boats were smashed by the falling masts. The ship was driven north as far as Gable End foreland, off which she has been during the last two days. It was fortunate that the Omapere secured her, as the wind is blowing heavily from the shore to-day, and would have driven her out to sea. A Singular coincidence is that the Plimsoll was engaged to load wool at Gisborne after discharging her Home cargo. The movements of the ship are not expected to be decided on till to-morrow, but probably she will be towed to Auckland by the Omapere. Captain Jaffray is now in communication with his owners.