DIFFICULT RESCUE WORK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 14 September 1909, Page 1

DIFFICULT RESCUE WORK.

Recent files of the -'Cape Times' give full 'particular!) of tbe wreel of the Shaw, Savill steamer Maori wirieli occurred at Dnyker Point near Capetown, on the u if- lit of Aug •iiii. ami resulted in terrible loss o] life. The Maori left Table Bay for New Zealand in continuation of her voy ;i;;i-> from London, shortly after mid nifjlif on Wednesday, August 4th .There was a fair sea running at th< iimr, but ilie night was eompara tiveiy clear. Residents at Sea Poinl noticed her passing along, that por tion of the coast, particularly be ■eajise she was hugging it mure close ly than is generally the ease. As slk rounded -'Sen Point a heavy fog set lied down from the westward, while a drizzling rain commenced to fall.. The night became thick and heavy Forty minutes after leaving the breakwater, with the engines goinp at full speed, the vessel struck a huge rock, which seemed to stand well out of the wntcv. After the striking the vessel set tied down at (lie boiv, tho steri: pointing to the shore, remaining above water, though continually covered 'by the heavy seas. Three boats were lowered, but ovr ing to the thick weather, they be came separated. The chief officer, in charge of the port lifeboat, got a momentary glance of the other two. Ho hailed them, and received an answering hail.. Then the mist closed down again like a. ipall, and they were lost to view. Fearing tho rocks (he chief olTicer ,-lecidml to stand well out to sea. The water was heavy, and the men lhinl> clad, sodden with rain, and shiverinp with the 'jitter cold of the night fouud it a matter of extreme (iilli eulty to keep the boat's head to tin seas that were rolling in.