OLD VESSELS’ BURIED

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1928, Page 4

OLD VESSELS’ BURIED

CAPTAIN’S NARROW ESCAPE

SUVA, March o

Suva has had no fewer than two executions recently of old well-known seafaring craft. The first was the wellknown barque Weathersficld, for a number of years stationed at Suva, and used as a hulk by the Union Company. She was taken out and sunk by Captain Williams. The second sinking was that of the good ship Dawn, about 500 tons, which was owned by the late Captain Allen and used in his Gilbert and Samoa, trade. Captain Gosling took her in

tow with two launches and all went well until she came abreast of the reef passage, then, as if she dreaded the end, she broke her hawser and drifted, now athwart the passage, now pointed back to the shore. She backed and tilled, and at length was hauled unwillingly outside the reef. Here the bottom sheers down almost vertically to 100 fathoms, and the sea cocks were opened, but she would not sink. Captain Gosling went below and at

L imminent risk of life smashed at the ; ship's rusted plates. To his surprise > the hammer went through. A great , rush of green sea poured in, and he had to make a record break for the deck, which he gained none too soon. . Tlie Dawn rose majestically to an even : keel, then slowly dipped her nose in tho briny, as the stern tilted up, bold and defiant to the end. Then with a. plunge the old vessel disappeared from sight.