SHIPPING DISASTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 225, 1 October 1901, Page 2

SHIPPING DISASTER.

SCOW WHAKArXT WRECKED OFF EAST CAPE. FOUR LIVES LOST. ONLY SURVIVOR HAS PERILOUS EXPERIENCE. In our issue yesterday reference was made to the fact that the scow Wiiakupai had been seen oil Tuparoa on Sunday dying signals of distress. Although this naturally caused a little anxiety in shipping circles, it was not thought that anything very serious had occurred, and it was hoped that re assuring news would have been received yesterday. Rut instead of this there came to hand the sad intormaj tiuii that the vessel had become a total wreck in the East Cape passage, and that four ot her crew had been drowned. TIIE FIRST NEWS.

The first news of the wreck was brought to Awanui by a native named Kohcrc, who arrived from the East Cape early in the morning. He reported to Constable Kelly that on Sunday afternoon the attention of the natives at the settlement in the vicinity of East Cape was attracted to a scow coming between the mainland and the island. There was a heavy sea running at the time and likewise a strong current. The appearance of the scow indicated to those on shore that something was wrong, and the vessel’s movements were watched for some little time. VESSEL TURNS RIGHT OVER. When the scow had got well in the passage, which is about three miles broad, site was observed to turn right over, and the next view the onlookers had of the i vessel was to see her bottom upwards and | the crew clinging on to the vessel. The | natives were greatly excited, but were j powerless to render assistance. They watched the scow being tossed at the mercy of the waves for some minutes, although occasionally they lost sight of her in the heavy sea that was running. ONE BY ONE WASHED OFF.

On the first view the natives got of the upturned vessel they could see three men clinging to her, but a little later live human forms could be discovered. The scow appeared to drift for a while after capsizing, and it was hoped she would have been carried near enough to the shore for assistance to be rendered to those who were clinging to the wreck. After a while, however, the boat beeauiostutionary, and it was presumed by those on shore that it was being hold by the anchor or the mast, or both. For a while the crew managed to hold on to the wreck, and their movements were watched with breathless interest. At last a tremendous wave struck the scow, and one poor fellow was carried off and engulfed in the waves, to be seen no more. One by one the others were washed oil and lost to view until one alone remained on the upturned vessel, lie succeeded in keeping hold of the vessel for a few minutes longer than his companions, and then he also was washed off by the force of the waves. CLINGING FOR LIFE.

The natives having witnessed the live men washed off the vessel, came to the conclusion that all wore drowned, but a little later a shout wont up as ono member of the shipwrecked crew could be seen beyond tlio breakers clinging to some object, the force of the current and the man’s own efforts having carried him towards the shore. The natives could see that the man was much exhausted, and that there was little chance of his getting to the shore unless assistance was given. A BRAVE DEED. A young native named Kohcrc volunteered to go to the assistance of the drowning man. lie divested himself of all clothing and fought his way out through the breakers. After a hard swim lie reached the man, and advising him to still keep his hold of the log to which he was clinging, he was enabled to render him sufficient assistance to bring him within reach of several natives who laid waded out to assist them both to the shore. The survivor received every attention from the natives, and after a short time was able to converse with them. NAMES OF THE CREW. Our Tokoniaru correspondent last evening telephoned particulars of the wrecked scow and its crew as far as was known at that place. The news of the wreck, ho states, was received at Tokoniaru with great regret and concern.. The vessel had been three weeks at that place, and the members of the crew were well known to the inhabitants, although not by name. The following are the names of the men as far as it was possible to obtain them : Charles Bonner, Master James Bertie Barney, a Scandinavian Harry, cook, a German Thomas Double Captain Charles Bonner, master of thp Whakapai, well-known in Gisborne, was the oldest son of Captain Bonner, of the scow Oban. The family belong to Onchungn, Auckland. Captain Bonner was about 28 or 20 years of age, and was married five months ago, to Miss White, of Nelson. Previous to Captain Bonner sailing on his last voyage, Mrs Bonner had just returned to her homo in Nelson. Deceased was for some time on the Rotomaiiana, and then acted as second officer of tlio Union Company’s s.s. Kia-Ora, trading on this coast, leaving her to engage in trawling at this port, in which he was engaged for nine months. Afterwards he rejoined the Union Company, embarking on the Tc Anau, and subsequently being shifted to the Mararoa and Rotorua. When the latter vessel was laid up at 'Wellington some months ago, he joined the Whakapai, which was practically a new scow, and a very fine vessel. By a strange coincidence, his father, who was master of the scow Oban, lost his vessel in the Pelorous Sound a week or two ago, and, with another son, had to cling to the capsized boat for several hours until rescued. James Bertie, the mate oMhe vessel, is evidently the man referred to by the native as being saved, as he answers the description given to Constable Kelly at Awanui. Bertie was known in Tokoniaru as Jim Finlay, but he told several of the residents that his real name was Bertie. Thomas Double is a blacksmith bytrade, and had been working at Tokoniaru

for the past two years. He was lately engaged with Messrs Macdonald and Co. He is a single man, and his parents are believed to reside in Hastings or Woodville. He joined the boat at Tokomaru with the intention of working his passage to Auckland, is the only mah other than Bertie who could answer the description of the survivor, but the Native who brought the news to Awanui stated that ho was told by the man whom he sat ed that the captain of the scow and the man they took on at Tokomarn were drowned. This fact leaves no doubt that the survivor is James Bertie. The cook, who was known at Tokomaru as Ilan-y, was a stout man slightly under medium height. He had a long bushy beard, and was somewhat bald on the head. Ho was a man of about fortyyears of age. His second name is not known.

The fifth man, a Scandinavian named Barney-, little is known about. Several residents at Tokomaru state that they have heard his name on several occasions, but being unable to pronounce it they could not furnish it to our correspondent. THE LAST VOYAGE.

The scow Whakapai arrived at Tokomaru about a month ago with 60,000 feet of timber for the Hikiwai bridge. The weather was too rough for the vessel to discharge on arrival, so Captain Bonner came on to Gisborne for shelter. After being three days in Gisborne he returned to Tokomarq, It is customary at the latter place for vessels to lie on the beach and discharge their cargo, but Captain Bonner unfortunately selected a bad spot, with the result that the boat got considerably damaged. There is only one portion of the beach where there are boulders, and the unfortunate -master of the scow beached his vessel there, with the result that when the sand was washed away the scow settled right on top of the boulders, and two or three large holes were'knockecl in the bottom of the vessel.

One hole was in the bow of the boat, and was repaired with little trouble, but the other was right under the tlat portion of the scow, and could only be reached with difficulty. The vessel's keel was also partly broken. Cupt. Bonner stated that he had been told by one of the masters of a coastal schooner that the beach was safe at the spot selected, and for the reason stated had beached the scow there. The tides were fairly full when the vessel arrived, and she was run high on the beach, It was therefore necessary when repairing the vessel to dig the sand away so that the damaged portion could be repaired. Capt. Bonner expected to have got away from Tokomaru over a week ago, but on account of westerly winds and low tides was unable to do so. On Sunday morning, the weather being rough, there was a very high tide, and taking advantage of this Capt. Bonner was able to get the scow oil. Early in the morning the scow could be observed standing out in the bay to the southward. Residents of Tokomaru understood that the Whnkapai was to proceed to Gisborne, but the master of the scow, seeing that the wind was from the south, evidently determined to proceed to Auckland. SIGNALS OF DISTRESS.

As mentioned in the Times yesterday, shortly after 10 o’clock on Sund.-tv the vessel was observed off Tuparoa, and the ] people there could see she was living the Union Jack upside down on the fore peak —a signal of distress. The scow headed into thejbay, and came within two miles, when the signal was quite easily discernible. About that time the Union Company's steamer To Anau, from the North, came in sight, and observing her Captain Bonner dropped his mainsail, and with the aid. of Iris jibs, slewed round and headed out of the hay towards the approaching steamer, living his signal of distress. There was a tremendous sea running, and heavy rain squalls obscured both vessels from the sight of those on shore. The scow must have failed to attract the attention of tlio Te Anau, and the master then determined to run round the East Cape. When seen off Tuparoa the scow appeared to be unmanageable owing to her water-logged condition, and when last seen she had her jib and staysail set, and was making very heavy weather of it.

EAST CAPE PASSAGE. The passage between East Cape island and the main land is about three miles across. Captain Martin, of the schooner Waiapu, states that more often than not he passes through the channel between East Island and the mainland. It is, lie says, a well-defined channel, with a good depth of water, the only point of danger being two shoal patches at the northern end, which, however, are easily avoided. Captain Martin has made the passage in all weathers, day and night-, as it cuts oil a considerable corner. The liinomoa and Tutanckai and several coastal steamers have also been through. About two years ago a steamer in taking this course met with a slight mishap, which was the subject of a preliminary enquiry. THE NATIVE MESSENGER. Our Awanui correspondent telephoned last evening, stating that there was little further to report at present with regard to iho East Cape disaster. Kohere, the native who brought the news, was the plucky individual who wont to the rescue of the survivor. Kohere is described as a young native of athletic appearance, and is a well-educated native. He gave a most intelligent account of the disaster to Constable Kelly, and appeared much ashamed of neglecting to bring the name of tlio survivor. Constable Kelly instructed lvoboro to request the natives at iho East Coast settlement to provide the survivor with the best horse that they had, so that ho might come with all possible speed to Awanui and supply full details with regard to the disaster. GENE UAL ITEMS. The description furnished by' Kohere, with regard to the survivor, leaves little room for doubt that it is James Bertie, the first mate of the vessel. Native Constable Ahipcnc, on receipt of the news, left for the scene of the disaster, Constable Kelly deeming it advisable to remain at Awanui, as lie was afraid of missing Bertie on the road. Owing to the rivers Doing in flood, the usual road to the Cape, about sixteen miles, cannot be used, and the messenger to Awanui had to travel a distance of twenty-four miles in order to bring the news to Awanui.

Twelve Natives were assisting Constable Ahipenc in the search for the bodies of those drowned, but so far without success.

The accident must have taken place within sight of the lighthouse on East Island, though the keepers would have been unable to render any assistance owing to the heavy seas breaking on the reefs around the island, and the impossibility of launching a boat. This is the second casualty that has happened in the vicinity in recent years, the Hincmoa’s boat having capsized at the landing some two years ago, four men being drowned. Captain Bonner had, during iiis nautical career, proved himself a cool and brave officer. When he was bringing tho trawler Beatrice down from Auckland the little vessel had a very rough time, but the captain was equal for every emergency, and brought the trawler safely to port.

The trouble with a scow is that onco it oominenccs leaking tho water is swishod from side to side, and the vessel is easily capsized.

The captain of the Whakapai was a splendid swimmer, and had many a race in the Turanganui river with other strong swimmers. It was a common thing after coining into the river with the trawler in tho morning for tho captain to challenge the engineer, Mr W. Fox, to a switn aerost the river, and spectators would sometimes see the two men, each with a bundle of fish in his hand, taking a header into the stream, and then an exciting contest would follow, the competitors being evenly matched.

Our Awanui correspondent mentions that among the Gisbornites at that place at tho present time are Messrs L. Rees and G. Lysnar. Mr Lysnar is returning by way of Waipiro Hot Springs, and Mr Rees is coming back by the Omapere.