SCHOONER WAVE LOST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18577, 8 December 1923, Page 13

SCHOONER WAVE LOST.

ASHORE ON FIJI REEF.

SEVEN PEOPLE' MISSING.

GRIM STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.

[fBOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SUVA, Nov. 29. Word was received in Suva to-day that the auxiliary schooner Wave had been wrecked at Naselai at 3 o'clock this morning. She dragged her anchor while lying inside the inner reef trying to shelter from a fierce south-easterly gale which is still raging. , , . A Some of the vessel's sails had carried away, and she ran through the passage o the reef. The captain had two anchors down, as well as a kedge anchor, bu these failed to hold, and the vessel went, on to the reef. All efforts to save tne vessel were unsuccessful, the howling gale blowing at the time preventing the anchors from holding the vessel. Seven of those who were aboard are missing, They are Mr. C. Nettles, a European ; Mr. George, an Indian police officer; How, a Chinese prisoner; and five Indians. The saved include :— Major and Mrs. Willoughby-Tottenham, Captain Savenaca Waqa, all the crew, and the other Indian passengers. Dr. 15vans and Mrs. Evans, who were expected to travel By the Wave apparently changed their minds at the last- moment, and thus escaped an unenviable experience, if not death. As soon as the news of the wreck reached Nausori, Mr. F. C. Lord, manager for the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., at Rewa, sent out a launch with . provisions, and other necessaries. Reports indicated that the vessel was a total wreck, and that everything from her was washing ashore. She lies in an exposed position. How the Vessel Met Her Doom. The supercargo of the doomed vessel, Sam Simpson, arrived overland by car, this morning, reaching Suva shortly before noon. Considering the awful privations he had gone through, he looked remarkably well, and told his story very calmly and clearly. He said the wind was south-east and then easterly when passing Wakava. The gale did not reach the vessel until she arrived at Naselai. The seas were tremendous, and to seek for relief the course was set into the passage, and the vessel was anchored yesterday afternoon. Two anchors were set out to their full capactiy. The kedge followed with 100 yards of cable. But the seas even inside the main reef where the ship lay were rolling in in great volume, passing clear over the ship. Tho hatches and cabin covers were, battened down, no one being able to get below. . The pumps were set going, but in spite of all, the vessel kept drifting, nearer and nearer to the inner reef. To lighten her the captain ordered some of the copra to be thrown overboard. About 3 o'clock this morning, the Wave.went ashore, the seas breaking over her in masses. The tide luckily was low, and the captain advised everyone to try and get ashore, as the life-boat had been smashed. So by four o'clock the passengers and most of the crew had got overboard. Major and Mrs. Willoughbv-Tottenham and Mr. C. Nettles. of Wairiki, and a Chinaman were fitted with life-belts. A life raft was put overboard. Indians Overturn the Baft. A number of Indian passengers './ho refused to wear belts, and when the raft was placed in the water, instead of holding on to it, insisted on trying to scramble on top of it, and as a result, it turned over and many were swept away. Major Tottenham and his gallant wife, gained the shore, escaping with some scratches and cuts. They reported that when they reached the outer edge of the shore reef, they found Mr. Nettles and others, sitting on some copra, resting after their grim struggle for existence. The two of them passed on, and did not see Mr. Nettles or the Chinese again. Tho ship-wrecked people were received and most hospitably entertained by Mr. Streeter, who lives about half a mile. frotn "Naselai town. Asked if the vessel had broken up, Sam said one mast had broken off, and the deck-house had washed'ashore. -From the shore, the Wave could still be seen, apparently intact otherwise. The loose copra crates, one with pigs, and other things were all washing ashore, so in the supercargo's opinion, any drowned persons would be ashore. There is still hope that Mr. Nettles has escaped, as owing to the rain, and drifting scud, a person struggling across the water-covered fiats could not be noticed. The Wave was a wooden vessel of 41 tons gross _ register. She was built in Auckland, in 1904. She is described as a twin-screw vessel, the engines (two Unions) having 38 h.p.. She was running for A. M Brodziak, Ltd., at the time. Jhe vessel was well found, and was licensed to carry a total complement of 20 passengers and crew. The Wave cleared Suva for Taveuni on November 16 with a general cargo and mails, and was on her- way from Savu Savu when the mishap occurred.