TRAWLER SUNK

Grey River Argus, 10 June 1933, Page 5

TRAWLER SUNK

WATER BEATS PUMPS Crew’s Precarious Plight TIMELY RESCUE. (Per Press Association) GISBORNE, June 9. Hie complement of the lost trawler Serfib, had the best of fortune in sighting the riding lights of the fishing launch Huia, while making their way t<» shore in a leaky dinghy, after the abandonment, of tin- vessel near Waipiro Bay. This portion of the coast is noted for past shipping tragedies, and landing through the surf would have been a powlous proceeding under the prevaili*g conditions. The Hcia had left Tokomaru Bay the previous night to seek shelter in Orange Bay cove, at the southern extremity of the open bay; and the owner, Jack Brennan, noted tho appearance of the Serfib during tho afternoon about five miles off shore. The trawler’s bows were then high ami the stern down indicating the possibility of distress, but no signals were flying. Three hours later the Serfib’s crew drew alongside the laiim-h Huia, and Brennan conveyed them to Tokomaru Bay, a distance of 10 miles, landing there at 9.15 p.m. The distressed mariners hoped to proceed to Auckland to-day, by the St. Margaret AV., a coasting motor vessel. Reports from various points along the coast north of Waipiro Bay indicate that the vessel was not sighted during the night or early morning, confirming Captain Flett’s opinion that the Serfib did not survive long after the abandonment.

Captain Flett, the trawler’s master, has had a lifetime experience in Home and New Zealand waters. He knows the coast well and fully realised, the peril of attempting a landing on the open bay shore, but the condition of the trawler left no alternative. Water gained on the pumps at the rate of eight feet in half an hour, and the ship was wallowing in a trough of heavy swell, with occasional seas sweeping over. When last seen, the captain had no doubt she would sink in a short time.

Difficulty was experienced in launching the dinghy which owing to Ihe lurching of the stricken trawler was damaged on the deck fittings while being put overside, and had to be baled constantly, during the long journey to the shore. The crew and officers saved nothing, abandonment being left to the last moment of safThe complement comprised Captain Flett, Mate Black, Engineer Samuels, deckhands Jennings, Moore and Wettaway; firemen Elliott, Taylor, Howlett, Cook, Henderson. The skipper is certain that the trawler struck nothing, but the only theory to account for the sudden inrush of water was the breaking of the seacock under the engine-room. Three pumps failed to keep the water in check, and half an hour after the first alarm, the fires were put out. and the steam released as a precaution.

CHIEF OFFICER’S STORY Crew’s Trying Time RESCUE by launch. (P<'r Pres? Association). GISBORNE. June 9. The crew of the wrecked trawler te Serfib” arrived in town late this evening with the exception of Captain Flett, who went on to Auckland by the Margaret W. From Tokamaru Bay to-day. The mate Mr J. Black, stated that the vessel left Auckland on Tuesday morning, and after operating in the Bay of Plenty the following day, reachedr Hicks Bay on Thursday morn ing, but had no luck with the trawl, and the ship proceeded towards Tolaga Bay. He was reading in his bunk at three j o’clock in the afternoon, and heard and uncommon tremor, and jumped up. ‘ Just then the fireman, J. Elliot, rushed in and said the trawler was making water fast. At that time a good southerly sea was running and the vessel was ap* proximately four miles from the land. The mate turned the head for land. The skipper came up and investigated and found the report correct. The lifeboat was hurriedly prepared, and lifebbuoys put in. In half* an hour’s time the water had risen eight feet in the engineroom. The vessel started to labour, and it was decided to abandon the ship. A big roll was on, and it was a hard job getting the lifeboat out, the keel being damaged in the process. The lifeboat started to leak. Two men were kept constantly bailing. Within a few minutes of leaving the ship there was over seven inches of water in the boat. The sea was increasing in roughness and the men’s position was most peri lous, though the crew took the matter good humouredly. Then the man who was steering, espied a light, which proved to he the launch Huia. and later a boat.

As the men left the lifeboat, it filled with water. Mr Samuels, the chief engineer, corroborated the story as to the trawler’s mishap. On hear ing the news he rushed to the engineroom and put on all available pumps on the bulges. The dynamos were then started to see if light- could bp obtained, to show where the watei was coming in, and the fireman on watch was instructed to get as much steam on as was possible, to drive (he ship towards land. Tn ten minutes time the water was rising through into tho stokehold and flooded it. Cranks were then splash

ing water on to the dynamo and put it out of action, leaving the engineroom in semi-darkness. When Mr Samuels left the engine room the water was up to his knees and coming on fast. He paid another visit to the engineroom to took at the steam gauge, but the dynamo had failed. The water was level with the dynamo head. All the crew took the affair quite philosophically. They leave for Auckland by service car this morning.