BROKEN SEACOCK LIKELY

Evening Star, Issue 21433, 9 June 1933, Page 10

BROKEN SEACOCK LIKELY

CREW IH GREAT PERIL I ' June 9. The complement of the lost trawler Serfib had the best of fortune in sighting the riding lights of the fishing launch Huia while making their way to the shore ip the leaky dinghy after their abandonment of the vessel near Waipiro Bay. This portion of the coast is noted for past shipping tragedies, and. landing • through the surf would have been a perilous proceeding under the prevailing conditions. The Huia had left Tokomaru Bay the previous night to seek shelter in Orange Bay Cove, at the southern extremity of the open bay, and .the owner (Jack Brennan) noted the-appearance of the Serfib during the afternoon about five miles offshore. The trawler’s bows were then high and her stern down, indicating the possibility of distress, - but no signals were flying. Three hours later the Serfib’s crew drew alongside the launch Huia, and Brennan conveyed them to Tokomaru Bay, a distance of ten miles, landing there at 9.15 p.m: The distressed mariners hoped to proceed to Auckland to-day by the Margaret W., a coasting motor vessel. Reports from various points along the coast north of Waipiro Bay indicate that the vessel was not sighted during the night or early morning, confirming Captain Flett’s opinion that the Serfib did not survive long after abandonment. Captain Flett is a trawling master of lifetime experience in Home and New, Zealand waters, knows the coast well* and he fully realised the peril of attempting a landing on the open bay shore, but the condition of the trawler left no alternative. The ’.-.rater {. ined on the pumps at the rate of Bft in half an hour, and the ship was wallowing in the trough of. a heavy swell with occasional seas sweeping over her when last seen. The captain had no doubt that she would sink in a short time. Difficulty was experienced in ’aunching the dinghy, which owing to tho lurching of the stricken trawler was damaged on the deck fittings while being put over the side, and had to he baled constantly during the long journey to the shore. The.crew and officers saved nothing, the abandonment being left to the Inst moment of safety. The complement comprised Captain Flett; the mate, Mr Black; the engineer, Mr Samuels; deck hands—Jennings, More, and Whettaway ; firemen— Elliott. Taylor, and Hewlett; cook, Henderson. The skipper is certain that tho trawler struck nothing, and the only theory to account for the sudden inrush of Water was the breaking of a sea cock under the engine room. ' The three pumps failed to keep the water ■in check, and half an hour after the first alarm the fires were put out and tho steam released as a precaution.