TRAGEDY OF THE SEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19974, 16 June 1928, Page 12

TRAGEDY OF THE SEA.

SMALL SHIP OVERWHELMED FATE OF THE WHITE BAY. STORY OF SOLE SURVIVOR. * ANOTHER STEAMER AGROUND. SYDNEY. June 15. Seven lives are believed to have been lost in the wreck of the coastal steamer White Bay at Stockton Beach, near Newcastle. The sole survivor is Dradsee Guiseppi, aged 36, who was discoveied -washed up on the beach 12 miles north of Newcastle. He told a thrilling story of the Jjttlft vessel's battle with the high seas, and of the futile attempt to run to safety. The waves swept her and when her holds were filled with water she turned over and sank in a few seconds. He supported himself on a piece of planking, and eventually swam ashore. He said he never saw the other men after the vessel sank. The other members of the crew were: — Captain W. Bond. C. Ellul, engineer. D. Scarsi, L. Decarlo, firemen. F. Badalot, cook. F. Colombo, seaman, and another man •whose name is unknown. News has been received that another coastal vessel, the Uralla, is ashore four miles from where the White Bay went down. The Uralla is high on the beach, and there are big seas. Her crew of 17 men refused to come ashore by the rocket line. They will probably land to-day. The master of the Uralla is Captain F. •Obierne. She is owned by the North Coast Steam Navigation Company, and is of 529 tons gross register. The Svdney coastal steamers Canonbar, 708 tons, and Corrimal, 1140 tons, are now overdue. Possibly they are hove to until the gale moderates. MOUNTAINOUS SEAS. CREW WASHED OVERBOARD. SURVIVOR SWIMS ASHORE. (Received June 15, 10.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 15. The sailor Guiseppi, the sole survivor of the crew of the White Bay, was found wandering along the beach, supporting himself with a piece of wood. He said the White Bay went ashore once but was washed off again. Five members of her . craw were standing on deck at the time, when a mountainous sea washed them off, and turned the vessel over. The survivor struck out for the shore, which he reached in an exhausted condition. The Uralla is a total wreck, but her crew are safe, and are remaining on board. f