GREAT BARRIER WRECK.

Grey River Argus, 3 June 1922, Page 5

GREAT BARRIER WRECK.

STORM HAMPERS RESCUE STEAMERS FACE PERILOUS SEAS. KATOA’S AWFUL EXPERIENCE.

AUCKLAND, June 2. After a very stormy night at the scene of the wreck of the Federal Shire liner Wiltshire, near the southern end of the treacherous Great Barrier Island, a few more of the crew are reported to have been this morning taken off on the life-line that was driftoil ashore last evening. All reports show that Thursday night, like the one before, w: s a fearfully stormy, dark and cold one at the scene of the wreck. The explanation of the unexpected early rescue of four mon last evening was that the Wiltshire’s crow succeeded in floating a line ashore, and gained a connection with land. The Coromandel postmaster states that darkness and the awful conditions prevented further rescues from the \\ iltshire last night, and operations had to be postponed till to-day. The Auckland “Star’s” reporter at Tryphena, on the Barrier Island, today wired as follows:—Tryphena, 7 a.m. —“After four men were landed from the Wiltshire, rescue work was suspended owing to night fall, just when, by the efforts of the Katoa’s party, the settlers were enabled to get into communication with the wreck. It is believed that a line was floated ashore from the Wiltshire, ami secured by men ashore. This was followed by getting aboard the Wiltshire an endless rope. After several hours’ work, the first man reached ashore. He was followed by three others, but owing to the terrible stormy conditions and night setting in, the work of rescue was interrupted. Ninety-nine men remained on the wreck overnight.'’ The Coromandel postmaster this morning reported that a gale had raged all 1-st night, and continued in the early

morning. Latest messages last night stated that part, of the Wiltshire was firmly fixed on the rocks and, presumably owing to the wind changing from east, to north and moderating, there was every reason for hoping the night would not bo one of great danger for the sailors who are said to be quite com fortable in the forecastle. Why the rescue operations were suspended for the night was not explained, but the reason may be that the method used for bringing ashore the four men was dangerously primitive. The skilled life-savers of the Philomel would have up-to-date gear on the scene this morning.

A message from Tryphena at 10.30 p.m. stated that although the wind had moderated, it was still boisterous with scattered showers, and that m any case the effect of the easterly gale would be felt for some days. KATOA’S TRYING ORDEAL. AUCKLAND, June 2. The big steamer Katoa, which went quickly to the wreck on Wednesday I night, arriving early next morning, had a memorable night on Wednesday when responding to the “5.0.5.” appeals from the Wiltshire for assistance. A wireless message from the Katoa. was received this morning at 4 a.m. giving details. It stated: The Katoa had been six hours on the voyage from Auckland to Whangarei, when at 11.10 p.m. the wirless operator picked up the S.O.S. (-all. The night was filthy. Battling against strong head seas, the cargo-carrier had left the Barrier 25 miles behind when she received the signal of distress. With strong seas behind, her course was hastily retraced. She came round the northern end of the is!: nds, exchanging rockets with the wreck. Though she had actually passed the Wiltshire, the latter’s position was not discovered. The difficulty of the Katoa’s task under such tempestuous conditions and the darkness of the night, was accentuated, as revealed subsequently by the frightfully snug

manner in which the doomed vessel was piled against the coast. The Katoa, hardly seeing a length ahead, coasted about until 6.30 a.m., when she received a wireless message from the Arahura stating that the latter was 10 miles from the wreck and proceeding there at a speed of 11 knots an hour. The captain of the Katoa remained at Tryphena and kept in touch with the Arahura by wireless. In this manner it was arranged that the Katoa should send a party ashore. Accordingly a. party of five, the chief officer, purser, third engineer and two able seamen, set out about 9 a.m., and a second party consisting of the boatswain and an able seaman, was dispatched a few hours later with storm appliances and blankets. ARAHURA BADLY BUFFETED. Arriving at the wreck scene early on Thursday morning, the steamer Arahura hung round till 3 p.m. Her 100 passengers will long remember the buffeting she received, until advised to proceed on her journey. AUCKLAND TUG’S GALLING TRIP The Auckland tug Awahina on Thursday morning set out for the wreck, and the party on her had a very unenviable ! trip, but the powerful little vessel made good progress against the stiff northeaster, despite tho fact that she w.h shipping seas continuously. The nearest oobit was sighted about midday and when Rosalie Bay opened up, the Wiltshire was revealed piled up at an acute her own length from the shore and her back obviously broken, The forepart from the funnel for-

ward was clearly defined. Some lifeboats were discernible in the davits. Pathetic little groups could be made out huddled to starboard on the forecastle and though the tug approached within 200 or 300 yards it was powerless to render any assistance. No signs of recognition were made from the unfortunate vessel and the tug returned to Tryphena. There her party boarded the Katoa. Tn Hie evening the tug went out into the roadstead and brought off the Philomel party -with their salvage apparatus. A LATER REPORT. WRECK POUNDED BY SEAS. AUCKLAND, June 2. The Waitahi returned at noon from Tryphena Bay. When she left there at 6 o’clock this morning there were no fresh developments. It was quite impossible for the Waitahi or the Katoa to go to the ocean side of the Island. A tremendous sea is pounding on the coast there, and the remains of the Wiltshire must be standing an awful strain. However, it would take a. lot to break down the construction of the big ship. Although those aboard little doubt of their eventual rescue. Walsh Bros, to convey to the Barrier The tug Awahina could not get within a mile of the wreck owing to the raging sea. There were possibilities of disaster so long as the heavy weather lasted, but all chances were in favour of a complete rescue. Arrangements have been made with Walysh Bros, to convey to the Barrier the life-saving appliances received from Wellington.

MORE MEN LAND. Bluejackets, carrying life-saving apparatus this morning, landed several more men from the Wiltshire, and expect to rescue the entire party before dark. The Katoa will then bring the shipwrecked people to Auckland. Operations commenced at daylight and the crew are being hauled ashore one by one. It is expected to take all day to complete the rescue. It is reported that no lives have been lost. WELLINGTON, June 2. The Secretary of the G.P.O. received a message from the Postmaster at Coromandel that the gale is still raging, and very cold weather is prevailing. The Katoa reports that as far as is known, what is still left of the wreck is still hung up on the rocks. The wreck is not visible from the Katoa. WELLINGTON, June 2. A brief service of sympathy and intercession for the Wiltshire’s crew was held at the Sailors’ Friendly Society’s

rooms. Afterwards, the meeting carried a resolution urging that rocket apparatus should be provided in at least the four principal ports, and others if possible, in the interests of seamen, who may be in distress on rock-bound coasts. THE CREW’S STORY. A NIGHT OF ANGUISH. BREAKING IN TWO BROUGHT RELIEF. AUCKLAND. June 2. A special reporter at Tryphena telegraphs:—The men who have come ashore relate a vivid story of their experiences during the past thirty-six hours. Heavy weather and torrential rain had been experienced for ten hours prior to the wreck. It was impossible to see a ship’s length off. The impression existed among tho men that the ship slowed down somewhat, about twenty minutes before she struct.. Prior to that the Wiltshire was averaging 320 miles a day. HOW SHE STRUCK. There was terrific thump when the "Wiltshire struck, and she gave four distinct jumps, as the impetus forced her on the rocks.

The whole complement of the vessel was immediately summoned to tho bouts, and a rocket of distress was sent up. The boats were swung out on the leeside, and all hands stood to for one and a-half hours, every moment of which intensified the suspense. A largo sea began breaking over tho vessel, particularly aft, and when it became only to apparent that any attempt to land a boat would see them dashed against the cliff by the terrific seas, it was agreed to await the break of day. All hands spent. A NIGHT OF ANGUISH in the saloon, ami the ship shook from stern to bow as each wave struck her. Every man except the ship’s officers went forward at. dawn. At about 7.30 a.m., the Arahura was seen in the roadstead. Although she hung about, she was powerless to render any assistance, the position at this time was EXTREMELY PRECARIOUS as the ship had listed to starboard, and the after portion was in deep water. This was the condition of affairs until about 11.30, when, with noise LIKE A THUNDERCLAP the ship snapped in two about No. 4 hatch. Captain Haywood jumped from the bridge, and the officers swung th< msclves down from the forecastle on a rupc. Simultaneously, with the excitement of this incident there sprang A RAY OF HOPE in the breasts of the men when they had suffered hour after hour of mental anguish wondering what the next moment would bring forth. Now t’ knew, however, that the forward part, relieved of the dead weight behind, would probably remain secure on the rocks. About this time the settlers had ar-

rived on the cliff, and every manner of effort was availed of to get a lino ashore. Rockets proved of no avail in. combating the storm, and were all carried adrift, while floating objects met a. similar fate. Eventually, about 2.30 p.m., a hatchway safety divined its object of floating on to the shore, being secured by patient workers. Then long hours passed before an endless lin-e had been established, aud Wheat hey THE FIRST MAN to go off was drawn, foot by foot, to shore. At intervals, three of his companions joined him, and then the operations were suspended for the night. Now the mental anguish of those on board was aggravated by physical endurance. With tho exception of a little steak, there were no other provisions aboarduntil supplies were got from as-