THE WRECK OF THE SQUALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4157, 7 February 1916, Page 3

THE WRECK OF THE SQUALL.

* FURTHER DETAILS. VESSEL SEEMED TO SIT ON A P. OC-K. OFFICERS It FT! CENT PENDING INQUIRY. TJio s.s. Mako, which inado an early arrival in Gisborne on Saturday morn, ing, had on hoard the .officers and crew . of the ill-fated Squall, which, was wrecked on the East Cape on Tuesday night. Th 0 members of the ship’s complement left for Napier again by the vessel yesterday morning, and a nautical inquiry will be opened there, as‘ it is the headquarters of Messrs - Richardson and Co., the owners of the vessel, .Both the officers and crew were very reticent on Saturday with information regarding the mishap, on account of the inquiry, Init they gave some interesting details of the hardships in landing and the reception they got from the natives at Horowhera. The landing on the rocky shore, and the walk along the beach to Te Araroa were the most unpleasant features, as far as physical hardships went, for the Squall sunk on an absolutely calm night. Captain L. Vasta, when approached for information, said that nothing could be said before the inquiry commenced. He, however, paid a tribute to the kindness of the. Maoris, who were holding a rehearsal in connection with tfic Te Araroa Queen Carnival when the shipwrecked crew landed. The, men were provided with food and dry_ clothing, for some of them had to swim ashort from the surf boat, and then an enter-, tainment was given them. Mr A. Hogg, the second engmeeF seen by a “Times” reporter, said that he could not give any details or opinions about the mishap, but he could say something about the landing. The vessel struck the rock very lightly. Ho was off duty at the time, but immediately the mishap occurred lie slipped on some clothing and went below to the engine room. There was no water coming into the engine room, and the staff from there were-amongst the last- to leave. When they came to row ashore the most hardships occurred. At Horowliera the landing was made on a very rocky coast, and those who got out of the boat or. the starboard side found themselves in deep water, and they had to swim ashore. Fortunately the night was calm. Those who got out on the port side of the boat landed on the rocky bottom, and were easily able to scramble ashore. Questioned as to the reason for the rapidity with which the vessel sunk, a member of the ship's complement said that-despite the slight impact at the time, the water came in fast. He believed the vessel must have risen on a swell, and sat down right on top of a submerged rock, and then was lifted over by another swell into deep water on the other side, for the .Squall sank in 20 fathoms of water, and there would be no hope of raising her. Her bottom evidently was severely damaged. Otherwise there may have been a chance to beach her. Captain Vasta did, indeed, make an attempt to run for the shore, but within a fe" minutes the vessel took on a dangerous list to port, and as this increased it Avas deemed advisable to at once get aw ay. There was very little time allowed‘ the crew, and many of them lost their outfits and had to be supplied with fresh ones at Te Araroa. The oil engine surf boat, Avhich "'as lashed on the foredeck, was quickly launched, the other boat carried not being required, and Captain Vasta gav© the order for all hands to get into it. He with the chief officer, Mr C. Coldicutt, were the last to leave. The Squall floated on a level keel, hut with a list to port, for a quarter of an hour, and then quietly disappeared. It Avas first intended to return to Te Araroa in the surf boat, a distance of about ten miles, but as the supply of oil in the launch Avas not thought to be sufficient for this, it Avas resolved to go inshore and land at HoroAvhera. The captain and officers negotiated the difficult papa ridge AA'hich runs out to sea a considerable distance, and made a safe landing. The Maoris quickly became aware of the mishap, and promptly had a big fire going, to dry Avet clothing, etc. Food in plenty Avas also provided by them, and temporary outfits given those avlio required them. Nothing definite about the course Avas disclosed. This aa* ill be one of the main things, Avith.thc exact locality of the accident, _ Avhich avill be brought out by the inquiry. Somewhere about a mile off the lighthouse, and about the top end of the passage betAveen the East Cape Island and the mainland is said to be approximately the spot Avliere the A'ossol struck. , .. „ The officers and ci'oav on the ban all Avere a.s folloAvs :— Captain, L. Yasta ; Chief Officer, C. W. Coldicutt • 2nd Officer, Wm. Brown; bo sun. C. Lmdstrum: A.B.’s, Gillies, Morten sen, Warim, N alder, Peterson; OH., Glee; Chief Engineer, G. Braund ; 2nd Engineer. A. Hogg; Firemen, Hammond, Robinson, Allen. Chief Engineer Braund spoke m great, admiration and praise of the treatment given them by. the Coast Maoris, avlio did all in their poiver to help the shipwrecked crew. One Maori gentleman even took olt ms do shirt and- gave it to one of the men, the chief engineer said. I have been through a good many misfortunes and come into contact with a number of people, but I have never knownsuch a thing to he done betoie.