HOW THE VESSEL WENT ASHORE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3829, 12 May 1913, Page 5

HOW THE VESSEL WENT ASHORE

LIFEBOAT’S PERILOUS TRIP. SEA SUBSIDING LAST NIGHT. MARION, May 11. There was a sensation at Bulls yesterday when news reached the postmaster that the Tyser Company’s cargo steamer Indrabarah was stranded on the coast seven miles north of the Rangitikei River, and between the river and the old stranded Fusilier. She has a crew of 60 men and officers, and is commanded by Captain Hollingsworth.. Tho vessel was proceeding from Gisborne half-laden with frozen mutton, beef, wool, and pelts, to Wanganui, and was then to proceed to Wellington and Lyttelton for Home loading. On reaching Wanganui heads, the captain decided, after failing to And the anchorage, to stand off as the night was very dirty, there being frequent hailstorms and hazy weather, and a tremendous sea running with a set to the' south.

The vessel evidently drifted, and grounded about 4.10 a.m., a quarter of a mile from the shore.

After locating the position a lifeboat was lowered under the second mate, Mr Adcock.

A tremendous lurch tore away the boat’s oars and precipitated a stevedore named Monson into the sea. It was impossible to get the boat back to effect a rescue, and after landing, Mr Adcock stripped and attached himself to a life line and swam out, and, after repeated attempts, rescued Manson, who was kept up with a floating oar. Mbnsoii .was art: hour and a half in

the water. Alonson was previously on the Star of - Canada wrecked at Gisborne about a year ago.

The crew of the lifeboat remained at Bell’s flaxmill and Dalrymple’s residence.

Air Dalrymple provided them with much-needed refreshment.

Doubts are expressed by those competent to judge as to towing the vessel off, but the Terawhiti, the Kapiti, and Storm Bird are expected to make an attempt. At present there are low tides. The steamer has now drifted round head on to the shore, and is apparently firmly embedded in the sand.

To all appearances she looks anchored, and quite motionless, and appears to have suffered no damage. The sea is now subsiding, and when normal the steamer will bo drawing about 12 to 14 feet.

Air Adcock remains ashore to keep up communication with the agents, semaphoring to the captain, who is on hoard with all except seven of the crew, who are safe. The crew are reticent.

News from Bulls to-day states that an examination shows that the cargo holds are undamaged and the engines arc sound.

During the day the ship s.wrung clean round head to the sea and then drifted back to her original position, head to the shore.