Wreck of the Scow Whakapai.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7304, 30 September 1901, Page 2

Wreck of the Scow Whakapai.

CPress Association.)

Gisborne, September 30. . The scow Whakapai got off the beach at Tokomaru at six yesterday morning, and stood away to the north bound for Auckland. About ten o'clock she put into Tuparoa flying signals of distress, but observing the Te Anau coming down the coast, she stood out again to meet her. A squall came on, and obscured both vessels, but subsequently the Tuparoa people saw the Te Anau with her in tow. The Te Anau, which was due here yesterday afternoon, has not yet reached port. Later. Late news has been received from Awanui that the Whakapai capsized between East Island and the mainland. The crew clung to her for two hours, and were washed off. Four, including Captain Bonner, were drowned, and one, whose name at present is unknown, got ashore safely. The native who brought the information to town forgot to enquire his name. He is expected to reach Awanui to-morrow morning. The Maoris are now searching for the bodies. The information about the Te Anau having the vessel in tow was erroneous, as the steamer has since reached Napier. Captain Bonner, master of the Whakapai, is well known at Gisborne. He was for some time senior officer of the Union Compmy's Kia Ora, and left her to engage in trawling at this port, subsequently takiog charge of the Whakapai, By a strange coincidence his father, who was master of the scow Oban, lost his vessel in Pelorus Sound a week or two ago, and with another son had to cling to the capsized vessel for several hours before being rescued. There are no Europeans living in the vicinity of the scene of the casualty, and the bodies will probably be buried where they are found withjut an inquest beJDg held. It is impossible to ascertain the names of the crew here, for though tb.9y spent several weeks at Tokomaru, and became well-known, nobody seems to have enquired their names. A blacksmith named Douire j red the vessel at Tokomaru with the intention of working his passage to Auckland, and it is believed he has been drowned.

The passage between East Island and East Cape, where the scow capsized, is narrow and dangerous, and it is thought Captain Bonner had lost control of his vessel and was driven in there.

The accident took place within sight of the light house, though the keepers would have been unable to render any assistance.

Captain Bonner had only been married five months. His wife resides afc Nelson.