SCHOONER WRECKED

Evening Star, Issue 18332, 20 July 1923, Page 5

SCHOONER WRECKED

DRIVEN ON TONGAN REEF. News came to hand to-day (write tho Suva correspondent of the Auckland ‘Herald’ on July 10), on the arrival of the Tofua from I’onga, of the wreck, on Juno 10, of tho American four-masted schooner Alert, which is owned by tho Coast Trading Company, of San Francisco. The master, Captain D. Macdonald, explained, however, that he was almost (he sole owner. The Tofua brought the captain and six of tho crew, one man, A. Olson, being left at Niuafoou at his own -request. After loading some copra at Vavau the schooner loaded 547 tons at, Anabai, on tho south-east side of Niuafoou, and then proceeded to the other side of (ho island to a place called Futu, where two days of calm weather allowed more loading, uniil tho ship bad 532 tons of copra under hatches. Then at 4 o’clock on the morning of Juno 10 a heavy squall struck tho ship, and every care was taken at once to securely moor her. The anchorage is very limited in extent, and a vessel has to lie very close to the shore. The anchorage is recognised as a very dangerous one, and a sailing ship has only one chance when caught by a westerly gale, and that is to hold on, for it is impossible to sail out. Tho weather increased in dirtiness, until by 2 o'clock a wild west-north-west gale was hurling itself upon tho doomed ship. At last as tho vessel was dragging near to tho reef, which lines tho shore at this point, all hands got away in the boat, with a few of their belongings, and with some trouble reached Anabai in safety.

Nothing could be done to save tho ship, which was grinding on tho reef, facing the swell, held to sea by her two anchors. Both chains held even after the schooner went ashore. Tho gale raged for two days, then the captain got busy, and saved the sails and belongings and more of their effects. Tho captain sold the hull and cargo to the Government of Tonga for £2O.

On July 8 tho Tofua hove in sight, and picked up the crew, and tho captain speaks very warmly of the kindness of Captain Davey and all on board. The passengers subscribed £63, and the officers and crew of tho Tofua £l6, as a fund for tho shipwrecked mariners, which was very welcome.

Tho ship’s hull is only partially covered by insurance, as the captain said lie was a very careful skipper, and had sailed the Pacific for thirty years without a mishap. His loss will bo considerable. The cargo is owned by Morris Hedstrom, and covered by two open policies, one in Suva and one in San Francisco. The Suva ono is with the Pacific Insurance Company for £5,000, but the greater portion of that ia reinsured.