The Captain Interviewed.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7828, 29 September 1903, Page 2

The Captain Interviewed.

" Pioklng Up the Land."

The Vessel Beached.

Received September 29, o._g a.m. - Sydney, Yesterday. The captain and crew of the OirnarU came; overland from Newcastle. One man is standing by. Captain Brown states that the Oimara arrived off Newcastle at midnight, on Saturday. The weather wae ' misty. A strong south-east wind and a high sea decided him to stand off.. At ; 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, while trying to pick up the land, the tbiek'. rain arid a. high sea obscuring ihe uut- '■'.' look,: he suddenly discovered that he was close to* the rocks ait Mdrha **• Pomt1., An attempt to haul off was futile. He then decided 'to beach ,-, the vessel, drov.e her over the first _me: of breakers, and landed her between the ribs of the steamer Fitproy. wrecked * some years" ago, and the first' ledge of rocks; forming a point where she lies hard and fast.

Captain Brown, who is well acquainted with the coast, realised that he was not in immediate danger, but allowed a portion of the crew to land in a boat. They. wero camped on the ..'. rocks 'all night. He and the remainder stayed aboard and ca_ae ashore this - morning. He saved the ship's papers; but little else. When he left the Oimaru was" lying head to the beach full of water with a heavy fist to port and the " ; seas breaking over her. r r