DAMAGE IN STORM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20603, 30 June 1930, Page 8

DAMAGE IN STORM.

HEAVY SEAS STRIKE SCOW. CREW SCRAMBLE TO SAFETY. Showing signs of sevore buffeting in a storm which sho encountered in Wairoa Bay, near Cape ColviJle, on June 20, the scow Hero was towed into Auckland" by two launches on Saturday morning. With a minimum of food and clothing th» crew, Messrs. A. Aspderi and J. aiid L. Stilwell, scrambled ashore when the vessel was driven on to tho beach ia Wairoa Bay by heavy seas. Tho scow was anchored in the bay to load shingle when tho storm struck her. Dragging the anchors, tho scow was driven directly into tho bay. Heavy seas swept over tho vessel and loose timber, which was swept about the deck with every successive wave, made it dangerous for the men to remain on board. Watching their chance tho men jumped from the scow and scrambled up the steep beach of the bay to safety. A few personal effects and somo food wero taken by the men in their hurried departure. ' The scow was washed on to tho beach, only her stout build saving her from being battored to pieces. Tho dinghy, which was carried astern, was wrecked. Tho bulwarks wero smashed on both sides from bow to stern and the iron knees to which they wero bolted were bent. Tho rudder was smashed and torn away, tho hull of tho vessel being strained and She sheathing damaged. The men camped under an old shingle hopper for nearly a week, being given food by the nearest settler, win lives some miles from tho bay. Two, launches left from Auckland when advice of the plight of the men was received, and at high ticje tho scow was towed off the beach. On Saturday she was placed on the slip at Freeman's Bay for repairs.