Launch Passengers Rescued

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 16, 21 January 1936, Page 8

Launch Passengers Rescued

ISLAND STORM DRAMA

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

APIA, Jan. 19.

The Hauraki brought the passengers of the launch Tiafau to port this morning. When tho ship sailed on Saturday evening for Vancouver, Captain Reid was instructed to search the straits between Upolu and Tutuila for the missing launch. Later four of the crew and tho passengers off the Tiafau arrived from Aleipata by the launch Magia, having left the sinking Tiafau and made for Aleipata after rowing all night. Unfortunately the wireless plant at Aleipata was Out of commission, the mast and the building having been destroyed in tho gale. From information received from the survivors of the launch there appeared to be little hope of saving the re mainder of the passengers, and Captain Reid was thus informed by radio and asked to proceed on tho voyage.

Captain McClymont, tho harbourmaster, however, fitted out two launches and was about to go out when a message was received from Captain Reid that he had picked up the survivors. It appears that after changing her courso and proceeding northward to Vancouver, the Hauraki sighted the submerged Tiafau close by, and Captain Reid manoeuvred the vessel to a position where the passengers could be picked up. It is reported that tho third officer and the other members of tho crew jumped into tho water to assist. All the remaining passengers and crew were safely picked up, but nothing could be done for the launch and she was abandoned. It is expected that she will be a total loss with tho mails.

All Lives Saved

IMPOSSIBLE TO SALVAGE MAILS.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 20,

A message received at 1.36 a.m. today by the Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department from Apia radio states: “With reference to the Tirafau disaster which occurred on Friday, now very pleased to report that the steamer Hauraki has picked up all the passengers and crew at 3 a.m. this morning. They were still clinging, tied with ropes, to the wreck. All lives have now been saved. The Master of the Hauraki states that the Tiafau is on tho verge of breaking up and it is impossible to salvage the mails. Will report details of the mails lost later.”