LURCHED AND TURNED TURTLE

Evening Star, Issue 19919, 16 July 1928, Page 5

LURCHED AND TURNED TURTLE

DID RUDDER BREAK LOOSE ?

[l’sh United Association.]

AUCKLAND, July U

In the moderate smith-west breeze that was Mowin';, the Isabella, responding to semaphore messages hoisted on the signal station, swung I'rom her course outside, and came dipping through the main channel. Alone in the forcrigging. Captain lierridge watched'the dangerous channel mouth. Cutting through the rough seas, the ketch teas within the channel, when suddenly she made for the bar. 'I he wind caught her canvas, and the huge booms swung across. Spray washed tho deck. Strained by the quick jar, the Isabella listed on her side.

Following the winds came heavy swells, which caught the vessel as she lay momentarily on her side. In a flash she turned completely over, her bottom lacing skywards, 'I hrown from the rigging, the captain was caught with the steamer, and sucked beneath as the Isabella lurched and turned turtle. Trapped like rats in a hole, eight gallant men met their death, while the great green waves battered the hull for twenty minutes. The helpless derelict drifted, and then sank. The tide was running almost full when the vessel attempted to take the bar. Why she hesitated and did not come through is, baffling all seamen along the harbour. Ex-masters of vessels say that perhaps it was because (he rudder became loose or because fho steering chains broke. That the captain changed his mind is indicated by the statement of the harbour master, who described how the Isabella seemed suddenly to sweep bow round after sbe bad started to dip into t>.c channel IVhen she was on her back no rudder was seen. No trace of the crew was seen after they sank, and there Ims been no trace of their bodies, but wreckage is coming ashore. ALL TRACE GONE A DANGEROUS BAR Strong westerly weather, at times reaching gale force, has obtained along the northern coast for over a week, creating difficult navigation conditions at bar harbours. The Isabella do Fraino left Onehunga. on Thursday afternoon, and when crossing the bar at the mouth of Hokianga Tliver, was seen-to capsize, apparently being overwhelmed by one of tbe great rollers which, combined with the formation at the month of 'the river, so very often make negotiation of tbe channel hazardous. The little vessel was rolled right over in the heavy seas, and it is believed to be impossible that any of the crew of eight can have survived. The Isabella de Frainc, an auxiliary engine schooner of 110 tons gross, was owned by A. G. Frankton, Ltd., of Auckland, and was built in 1902 at Camden Haven, New’ South Wales. She bad been engaged in the New Zealand coastal service for over ten years.

Hokianga bar is reckoned one of the most dangerous on the northern coasts, the channels constantly changing in direction and depth. fourteen years ago the iron barque Joseph Craig became a total loss there, through the parting of a towline in » I squall, but no lives were lost on that occasion.

Latest reports,state that the Isabella has disappeared, and there is no hope of the survivors.