LOST SCHOONER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 196, 18 July 1928, Page 2

LOST SCHOONER

ISABELLA DE FRAINE

A STAUNCH VESSEL. '

AUCKLAND, July 16.

1 ’As staunch a litkle vessel as ever left the ways,” is the opinion of a former member of the crew of the Isabella de Fraine, discussing the loss of the vessel on Hokianga bar. ‘ ‘She was manned by a fine crowd of men, too,” he continued. “Captain Berndge was a good seaman and. knew tho coast, while Captain Teixiera, who was with him as mate, was another old hand, trained in sail and thoroughly conversant with every nook and corner round New Zealand. “There have been several changes m the crew lately, but such a well-known and well-found ship as she was always gets a good body of seamen—men who know sail and prefer it to steam. “One would have expected the Isabella to last for the nex>t fifty years at least. She was only 26 years old, and the Australian hardwood, of which she was built, is practically unperistiable. There are vessels still in commission on tho Australian coast which were built in the ‘forties,’ and we have one in Auckland, the Huon Belle, which was launched in 1863, and is ‘still going strong,’ even though she has recently been fitted with auxiliary power. “Although somewhat too beamy to be a real beauty, the Isabella showed herself a fine sea-boat, built to stand hard wear and heavy knocks. Her decklino showed an unusual amount of sheer, which would lift her through any sea that was likely to come her way. This she proved on several occasions, coming through some very dirty weather in fine style. “Originally she was a topsail schooner, but her yards were taken off some years ago. Fortunately, from an artistic point of view, she retained her topmasts, although slio never set gafftopsails. Even under reduced rig she could show a fair turn of speed. “Usually when crossing the Hokianga bar all the canvas was taken off her, and we relied on the engine. This made the ship a lot easier to handle, but apparently this time the engines failed them. She was an easy ship to steer, a trifle slow to answer the helm, perhaps, but once it was over she would swing round very sharply. On the top of a very big roller, of course, the rudder might be almost out of the water, and that is how many accidents happen. . “Hokianga people will miss the old Isabella. When she was going from one settlement to another to discharge or load there was usually a crowd of Maoris aboard, taking advantage of the free trip to visit their friends along the river bank. At tho New Year” she usually ran an excursion on the river, and that was one of tho ‘big days’ in the history of the year.”

CAPTAIN AND CREW. ‘ PAST EXPERIENCES. PREVIOUS WRECKS RECALLED. Captain Berridge, the master of tho schooner, was born in Tauranga. He had resided with his wife and family at Burnley Terrace, Edendale, for the past 14 years. He is survived by. his widow, a son aged 20. a daughter 15 years of age, and a son of seven years. His father lives at Norfolk Island. Before taking charge of the Isabella de Fraine, he was owner and part owner of several auxiliary vessels. The first of these was the schooner Clifton, which he took over from his father. Prior to 1914 lie owned a share in the Fairburn, trading between Auckland and Gisborne. Later, he was master of the Excelsior, a schooner trading to Whakatano. With a brother-in-law, he acquired the auxiliary schooner Ivahu, which disappeared about six years ago, near Mercury Bay. For four years Captain Berridge owned the auxiliary ketch Scot, which sank in the Waitemata, in August, 1925, after colliding with a ferry steamer. Mr Berridge was the father of Arnold Berridge, tho well-known Ponsonby Rugby footballer, who was a member of last year’s Auckland representative fifteen, and played his way into the All Blacks trial matches, participating in tho North Island Possibles v.' Probables match at Palmerston North. Mr Teixeira, the mate of tho Isabella do Fraine, who held a master’s ticket, leaves a wife, a son aged 18, and two daughters, aged 15 and eight respectively. They live on a small farm at Taupaki. Mr Teixeira, whose mother and a brother live at Western Springs Road, was formerly in tho employ of tho Northern Steamship Company, and had command of an auxiliary vessel. At one time ho had charge of the tugs and lighters used by ithe Whakatane Freezing Company. Born in Auckland, ho was a member of a well-known sea-faring family. He first went to sea in the brigantine

Stanley, under Captain D. H. McKenzie, in 1891. He afterwards served his time in wool clippers. He had command of the Isabella de Fraine on numerous occasions in tho absence of the regular master. Mr Kendrick, the engineer, was married only three months ago. His parents reside at Wanganui. He was engineer of the Scot when the vessel was sunk in tho harbour. He resided at Hamilton Road, Ponsonby. F. Liewendalil was a Finn. He came to New Zealand last year in the barque Olivebank. and has no relatives in the Dominion. Messrs Merritt and Suvanto are also believed to have no relatives in New Zealand. Suvanto also came to the Dominion in tho Olivebank. Matthew H. Kennedy was one of two orphans, who resided at 38, Aitken Terrace, Kingsland. His brother also follows a seafaring career, and his last position was on tho Coronation, owned by the Northern Steamship Company. The missing man was to have celebrated his twentieth birthday yesterday. He was born at Waihi. Mr H. Trevarthen, the assistant engineer was one of a family of six. He is survived by four brothers, and a sister who lives at Bayfield Road, Herne Bay. Ho was 22 years of age, and joined the Isabella de Fraine only a fortnight ago. It was his intention to fill in time on the vessel so that lie could sit for his ticket. Up till Christmas last he was in the employ of an engineering company. TRIBUTE TO DECEASED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 17. As a mark of respect to members of the Isabella de Frame’s crew who lost their lives when the vessel capsized on the Hokianga bar last Saturday afternoon, a wreath of flowers will bo cast into tho sea to-morrow over the spot where the disaster occurred. The wreath is a joint tribute from the Merchant Service Guild and tho Institute of Engineers’ Association, to which the captain and mate and two engineers respectively belonged. One body has been washed ashore.