WRECK AT THE ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14984, 4 May 1912, Page 7

WRECK AT THE ISLANDS.

AMERICAN SCHOONER LOST.

abandoned on A EAIATEA reef.

The Union Company's steamer Talune, which arrived at Auckland yesterday afternoon from the Cook and Society Islands, brought news of the wreck of the American three-masted schooner G. W. Watson on a reef at Raiatea (Society Group) on April 5. The schooner had completed discharging a large cargo of lumber from Puget Sound, and was proceeding to sea under the charge of a pilot, when she struck the reef in the channel. She remained hard and fast for several hours, but eventually floated off, and proceeded on her voyage to San Francisco. The G. W. Watson had barely cleared the island when it was discovered by sounding the wells that she was making water fast. The pumps were manned, and an endeavour was made to keep the water under. After manoeuvring about in the vicinity of the island for some time, the captain decided to return to Raiatea, and the vessel was headed for the north-west passage. It was while attempting to negotiate this passage that she came to her end. By this time the water had gained considerably, and on the wells being again sounded it was found that lift of water was in her holds. The ship became unmanagable, and she struck the reef about seven miles before reaching the passage. She then settled on the reef, and soon became a total wreck. When the Talune passed the spot on April 18, only the fore part of the vessel was visible, and it was evident that she had been completely broken up by the force of the heavy swell. The wreck was subsequently purchased by the natives for a small sum. The captain, his wife, and the crew, numbering seven, were successful in reaching the shore. They proceeded by the Talune to Rarotonga, where they joined the mail steamer Aorangi for San Francisco.

The G. W. Watson was a wooden threemasted schooner of 453 gross tons. She was built at Fairhaven, California, in 1890, by H. D. Bendixen. Her length was 150 ft, breadth 36ft, and depth 12ft. She was owned by W. H. Wood, and her port of registry was San Francisco.