Grim Struggle in Heavy Seas

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 72, 26 March 1936, Page 6

Grim Struggle in Heavy Seas

Scow Founders Off East

Coast

CREW’S PERILOUS TRIP TO

SHORE

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night

The story of a grim struggle to bave the 45-tou scow Kaiaia from foundering iu heavy seas off the East Coast in the vicinity of Castle Rock during tho early hours of yesterday morning was related by the master, .Mr. H. S. Aspden, to tho Herald by long-distance telephone. After gruelling spells at the two hand pumps the crew of five were fioaliv torccd to abandon ship and the Kaiaia sank almost immediately in about 30 fathoms of water.

Tho Kaiaia with a general cargo left Auckland about noou on Tuesday for Opotiki. Fair weather was experienced until passing Cape Colville wnen the wind veered from tho south-west and commenced to freshen from tho cast. By midnight When the scow was to th» south ui Castle ltock there was a heavy sea and (he wind had reached galo force. As (hero appeared no hope of the conditions moderating it was decided to put back to Mercury Buy for shelter.

Heavy rain squalls uad reduced the visibility to a minimum and the Kaiaia was hove to to await daylight. Under shortened sail with the engines running slovviv ahead the vessel was pitching into big seas when suddenly it was discovered she had sprung a leak. “The origin of tho leak.” said Mr. Aspden, “is a mystery. When first noticed tho water was gaining fast Wo immediately connected the pump with, the engine but, it made little impression uu the flow. The two hand pumps were then manned, but the task appeared hopeless. We took spell about and never let up for a moment. The scow bad settled by the bow and tho seas were continually crashing on board and running the full length of her decks. “It was while working forward that two .Maori members of the .crew were washed overboard and lost to sight iu the darkness. An attempt was t&ea made to lower the dinghy which was slung in the davits at the stern, but access to the engine room had been cut off and the propeller now half out of the water and wildly threshing the surface threatened to stove in the small craft.

“Reassured by calls from the two Maoris who were both excellent'swimmers the crew had to sianot by the dinghy until tho Kaiaia was virtually sinking beneath their feet. As "the stern settled and tho propeller became submerged the dinghy was lowered without mishap, the two Maoris were picked up and within a. few moments the live men were alone in a 12-foot dinghy with about five miles of rough water between them and the mainland. The scow soon disappeared completely and a few spars and some light gear rising on heavy seas was all that remained. Dawn was just breaking.” I’robablv thinking of the earlier part of the morning Captain Aspdeii made light of the trip to shore, but residents in the district consider it to have been a great feat of seamanship. How the little craft was rowed through tho heavy seas and then run in on the surf to Hot Water beach without mishap would make a tale iu itself. Captain Aspden, however, merely described it as not so bad,’’ and would bo prompted into no further comment.

The crew, comprising D. B. Stubbing, engineer, of Grey Lynuj J. Donaghue, of Pousonby; and two Maoris, Peter Warren, of Opotiki, and J. Mokomoko, were given dry clothing at a neighbouring farm and later proceeded to Whitittnga, Mercury Bay. The Kaiaia was built at Omaha in 1909 aud has for some years been owned by tho Aspdcn Shipping Cpmpany, trading principally between Auckland and Bay of Island ports. She was ketch-rigged and was fitted with a 28 h.p. Diesel engine.