Wreck Of Trawler lien tear Port

Northern Advocate, 11 March 1948, Page 7

Wreck Of Trawler lien tear Port

CHRISTCHURCH. Tue. (P.A.).—The Lyttelton steam trawler Cowan, of 67 tons, which struck rocks at the entrance to Port Levy at about 9.30 on Tuesday evening, filled rapidly and sank.

The Cowan was returning to Lyttelton from the fishing grounds. The master (Captain Mouncer) said the Cowan was nearing Port Levy when the signalman at Adderly Head called him by morse lamp asking for the name of the vessel which was given. About a minute later the Cowan struck. Captain Mounccr at once called Adderly Head, but the water reached the dynamo, and all the lights failed. The engine was still working so he turned : he -esscl with the intention of beaching her in Starvation Bay. “Some of the men were clearing away the lifeboat,” said Captain Mouncer, “but the ship suddenly heeled over and sank. There were three men in the boat, but the rest of us were in the water, with the exception of Mr W. Willman. junior, who had jumped on tc a rock when we struck. BRAGGED DOWN “I was dragged down with the ship, but got clear. “I thought I would never come up. “When I reached the surface, I saw a boat rowing round and men in the water were calling to each other. We were all picked up and beached the boat in Starvation Bay. Captain Mouncer and three men of the crew of seven then rowed to Little Fort Cooper, where tile harbour board signalmen live, picking up Mr Willum, junior, from the rock on the way. They arrived at about midnight, and telephoned to Lyttelton for a launch. A launch left Lyttelton at 12.30 a.m., went to Little Port Cooper and picked up Captain Mouncer and his men. It then went to starvation Bay. a small inlet with towering cliffs on three sides, which made the darkness still darker, and took off the other members of the crew.