THE ACCIDENT TO THE OBAN

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 13948, 3 January 1906, Page 9

THE ACCIDENT TO THE OBAN

THE CREW ' SWEPT OVERBOARD. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, January 2. The scow Oban and her cargo were uninsured, but as the vessel lies partly submerged near the wharf at Worser’e Bay, it is expected that both cargo and scow will be saved. It is believed that as the vessel was under tow the cargo shifted into her nose, tin-owing her stern up, and the theory is that the crew went forward to remedy matters or loosen the tow-line, when she dipped into the sea and all went overhead. On

the other hand, it is possible that either , one or two of the hands were in the cabin when the water swept over the vessel, and that their bodies be there. Owing to the boisterous weather nothing can be done in the .way of searching the vessel, but Mr Ernest Pilcher, the owner, is doing all possible to clear up the mystery. The captain of the tug states that oa Sunday night, when ‘ towing ( the Oban, he had a most unenviable time, the tug being continually swept by spray. The Oban had three years ago capsized ■ twice in the straits and sounds, but; from a cause'quite apart ham the pre- ; sent incident. Captain M’Kenzie, of Auckland, was making his second visit as master of the Oban,-and expressed himself well pleased with the little vessel. The lives of tlie captain and" hia two companions were insured by the owner. ’ 1 Later. The names of the crew of the scow , Oban, supposed to have been washed off; and drowned, are—Donald W. M’Kenzic, aged forty, Captain; O. Johnson, aged twenty-five, A. 8.; A. Martin, aged thirty-one, A.B. . .' .