WRECK OF THE HELGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14473, 13 September 1910, Page 6

WRECK OF THE HELGA.

CREW'S TRYING EXPERIENCE.

The Canadian-Australian liner Makura, which arrived at Brisbane from Vancouver, via Honolulu and Fiji, had on board the second mate and a number of seamen of the British barquentine Helga which, when bound from Newcastle (N.S.W.) for San Francisco with a cargo of coal, went ashore off Waikiki, Honolulu, on August 10. From these men it was ascertained that the day after sailing from the coal port of New South Wales, a terrible gale was encountered, which threw the vessel on her beam ends, causing her to leak. Eleven days before striking the reef the donkey engine broke down, and the crew had to man the hand pumps. This was caused by the donkey engine having been steamed by salt water, the accumulation of salt and other debris in the bottom of the boiler causing it to bulge and crack open. Repairs were eventually effected, and in a short time the donkeyman was able to raise about 201b of steam, and start the pump to work again. The leak continued, and nine men were compelled to work 13 hours a day, with the donkey engine doing a little pumping all the time.

Captain Wall then headed the Helga towards Honolulu. The captain kept his vessel close to shore, taking soundings all the time. He was overtaken unexpectedly, however, by a light wind, that swept "the Helga towards Waikikl Reef. The anchors were dropped in four and ahalf fathoms of water, but apparently failed to hold the ship, which soon afterwards bumped on the reef. The lights from the city of Honolulu could be seen, and when the Helga got into difficulties blue lights and rockets were fired, but no help came. Boats were lowered, containing the captain's wife and his 10-year-old daughter, and members of the crew. At daybreak the tug Intrepid and the island steamer Noeau were sent out to lend assistance. The boate were picked up, but it was found that they could be of no assistance to the barquentine. The shipwrecked mariners were taken to Honolulu, where they were cared for. The British Consul supplied the crew with new clothes.