THE WAITOTARA.

Northern Advocate, 3 July 1917, Page 2

THE WAITOTARA.

CREW ESCAPE HARDSHIP,

ONLY 24 HOURS ADRIFT,

AUCKLAND, July 2

The first direct news Of the fate of the Union Co.'s steamer Waitotara was brought to Auckland to-day by one of the steamers which were ordered to search for the crew when it was learned that the vessel had been abandoned. The steamer on Tuesday, June 19, received a cable ordering her to go in search of the boats of the Waitotara, the latter being stated Lo be on fire in mid-ocean. She immediately made preparations to sail, and proceeded in the direction of the burning vessel, taking various courses and zig-zagging over a large expanse of water, but saw no signs of either the burning vessel or her boats. After a fruitless search the steamer arrived at a port on Saturday, June 23, and then learned that all the members of the crew had been picked up and landed there some days before.

The Waitotara, was proceeding to Australia with a cargo of copra and benzine. While she was in mid-ocean, fire, possibly caused by spontaneous combustion, broke out in one of the holds, and, although discovered early, rapidly gained a hold and spread over a great part of the vessel. The disorganisation usually associated with such a disaster at sea was happily absent, and the manning and dispatching of the boats was carried out without confusion. The captain, who was in his berth at the time of the alarm, had no time to dress, and left the ship in his pyjamas, losing all his personal effects. The crew were similarly unfortunate. The boats were lowered at tho first opportunity, those on the leeward side of the ship being rowed round to the windward. The number proved more than enough to accommodate the crew, and the provisions carried proved ample, so that when they were picked up, 24 hours later, by a steamer, the men were in no distress.

When the crew were landed the Consul billetted them at different hotels in the town, and provided them with immediate necessities. Everything was done to help the men, and when the sterner, which is now in Auckland, left they were awaiting the steamer which was to carry them to Australia.