THE AWARUA.
NAPIER REACHED
HOPE ALMOST GONE.
WHEN DUNEDIN HOVE I N SIG HT.
(by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) NAPIER, Sept, 21. H.M.S. Dunedin and the Awarua have anchored under the lea of the breakwater. Captain Sawyers and the crew of the Awarua are well. The vessel drifted up the coast in a, helpless condition and the only .slight assistance received was from the trysails fore and aft, which gave enough steerage way to keep clear of land. When the Dunedin hove in sight, there was enough food to continue rations for ten days, but_thc water was almost exhausted. The Dunedin immediately sent' supplies aboard by means of a) raft, it being too rough for the warship to approach the steamer. Some members of the crew had just about given up all hope when the Dunedin hove in sight, and farewell message had been prepared and placed in a, beer bottle ready for throwing overboard. The captain refused to say one syllable to a reporter. The Awarua berthed at breakwater. The vessel was not damaged except where the CDUnedin crashed into its side causing splintered bulworks forward, This mishap was caused by the tough jobhle. BATTLE WITH. ELEMENT'S.
For several days the crew battled with the elements, with tlie deck awash fore and aft. The men bad a strenuous time. It’ became necessary to man the pumps, but the weather moderated and the ship endeavoured to turn to land, but .a fresh gale sprang up and the fight commenced all over again. Tbe sight of the brought relief, but. the end of their troubles were only in sight. The Dunedin had a difficulty in towing the Awarua, on account of the wash and this restricted the speed to three knots per hour. Members of the drew believed that a worse fate was in store for them. One asserted that the vessel was not safe to leave harbour, and could not carry sufficient coal for an emergency. Their experience, all agreed, was the worst they had ever' had, and all were happy to get out of it. It was understood that .slight damage was done to the warship when: the vessels bumped one another. All are anxious to communicate with their relatives. It is not known hew long the Awarua. will remain in port.
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Bibliographic details
Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 September 1926, Page 7
Word Count
382THE AWARUA. Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 September 1926, Page 7
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