THE WRECK OF THE FORREST HALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 8 March 1909, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE FORREST HALL.

THE CAPTAIN AND CREW AT

AUCKLAND.

RETICENCE OBSERVED.

[United Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, Sjtnrdnv

The officers and crow uf tho ship Forrest Hall, which wont ashore it Manganui, 20 miles south of Cape Maria Van Diomen, on February £7, arrived at Auckland t'lll3 momiaj: by the steamer Chelmsfo;i, from I'jrcugarenga. The number all told was 25, but three deserted at Piireng:< Tonga. The men have settled down comfortably at Whitehead'.- CoflVe Palace, and tlicy stare that their experiences were not of a very trying nature.

Captain J. F. Collins, when interviewed, stated that the vessel was three weeks out. from Newcastle when the New Zealand coast ,vas sighted s,t daylight on Sunday week !a,s>t; bat he declined to make any statement as to what took place between that time and the striking of the land at 9.80 a.m. The crew were able to save most of their personal belougings, but nono of the ship's property was recovered. The freight comprised 3127 tons of coal, aud this also w.*s lost. After camping for a few days in the vicinity of the wreck, ail hands went to Parenga.'onga. The captain was not able to say whether the vessel or her cargo is insured. j

The crew also aro retiseut a$ to what occurred previous to and after the wreck, but certain allegations of drunkenness are made.