WRECK OF THE TETEKO

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1920, Page 6

WRECK OF THE TETEKO

AUCKLAND, August 14. The steamer Daphne, which arrived from Mercury Bay early this morning, brought with her the crew of the scow Teteko, which was wrecked cm Slipper Island, near Mercury Bay, on the night of Friday last. With her also returned Captain Hammond, of the Northern Company, -who has been to Mercury Bay to examine the wreck and report on the possibility of sab It seems that the scow, which was on her way. from Whakatane to Auckland, ran into exceptionally heavy weather on Friday night. The wind was high, and it was impossible to see where the vessel was going. ■ In these circumstances the vessel ran on the southeast corner of Slipper Island, and began to break up almost at once. It was impossible to launch a boat, and the crew took to the rigging. Later, when the breaking up continued, two of the engineers and a deck hand swam ashore, but Captain E. Sellars, who was in charge of the vessel, and the remainder of the crew remained in the rigging all night. In the meantime he three men who had been able to land had gone to the homestead of Mr. Leighton, who lives on the island. With his help, they were able to rescue the other members of the crew in the morning, when the tide was low. The disappearance of Gcbbie remains a mystery. He apparently climbed into the rigging with the oilier members of the crew, and no one remembers seeing him leave it. The three who swam ashore thought that he remained willi t'ne others, while the captain thought that lie had gone ashore with them. It is possible that lie made an attempt and w.is unable to reach safety. He may have been struck by a piece of wreckage and rendered insensible. A search was made yestrday for his body in the vicinity of the wreck, but to no avail.

Captain Hammond reports that .he went over to the island yesterday to view the wreck, and found tlm vessel completely broken u\>. "Wreckage is strewn along the beach for five miles," he said this morning. "It may be possible for us to salvage one o? the engines, the winch, and anchors, but they are in a very diffici.lt posi--li-»i. The port engine is under water, while tho starboard engine is not yet located. Attempts to salvage the machinery will be made by baunch and punt when the weather moderates.'

The mails that the vessel crri<\l vvye b"t some fnrgo. principally limned drippin.p - , ci r ks. and n?*"senyl \wi> -m th~ shores of the island, and I\t,v> b™n brought; up to Auckland by the Daphne.