A Vessel in Distress.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 44, 21 February 1901, Page 3

A Vessel in Distress.

UNGRATEFUL TREATMENT OF A CONSIDERATE CAPTAIN. So many liard things have been said against the captain of the Union S.S. Company’s Hawea by the Press and public of the colony in neglecting to go to the assistance of the ship Grace liar war that it is as well to relate an incident that befell Capt. Hipgrave, of the Zealandia, yesterday, in order to show what captains of steamers have sometimes to put up with. On the other side of Tatapouri Capt. Hipgrave observed a three-masted schooner which was standing well in towards the land and flying signals of distress. -Those on board the schooner were running the ensign up and down in order to attract the attention of the passing steamer, and Capt. Hipgrave observing this went over two miles out of his way. He could see that the schooner was just about close enough to the shore with a south-easterly, and he brought his ship to and signalled “Do you require assistance.” This signal was given several times, but -was altogether ignored by the captain of the schooner, and a breezo suddonlv springing up from the land, the schooner was able to sail out. When the boat was first observed by the passengers of the Zealandia, the schooner seemed to be dangerously near the shore, and appeared to be in trouble. The treatment accorded to Captain Hipgrave was to say the least of it very ungracious and discourteous, and such as will not tend to encourage masters of steamers to go out of their wav to render assistance to sailing vessels. The sailing vessel referred to is a three-masted topsail schooner painted whito, and it is stated that a boat answering this'description left Gisborne yesterday morning. The captains’s explanation will be awaited with interest.