TRAWLER WRECK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23340, 8 May 1939, Page 10

TRAWLER WRECK

CAUGHT BY HEAVY SEAS «

ESCAPE OF THE CREW 1

ELDERLY MAN'S OKDEAI

45 MINUTES IN WATER 1

[by telegraph—OWN correspondent} GRE? MOUTH, Sunday

Overwhelmed by a series of heavy seas while waiting to cross the Hokitika bar at about 8.30 o'clock on Friday night the trawler Manurere was swept on to a bank about 400 yds, offshore, and is now almost a total wreck.

Three men, Messrs W. Harvey, W. Smith and T. Ward, who comprised the crew, all got ashore safely, although Mr. Ward was suffeiing from injuries received through being struck by floating wreckage. Mr. Ward was the only man washed overboard. The others got ashore when the vessel struck. One Washed Overboard The lifeboat and s.ll deck gear, together with Mr. Ward, were washed overboard. Mr. Ward was clinging to the main boom, which had carried away, taking him with it. . Four eye-witnesses on the shore were at first powerless to help him, hut he clutched the boom and. wae. later rescued by Mr. John Cutbush. Mr. Ward was unconscious when brought ashore, and owes his life to Mr. Owen Edwards, a St. John Ambulance officer, who worked hard to bring him round.

Mr. Ward later to <1 a. stirring story . of his ordeal. Whil-J the vessel was making in she was struck bv a bi« sea, heeling right ovor. Mr. Ward was clinging to the mail boom when "a second breaker washed the lifeboat and main boom overboard. He went with the boom. A Herculean Task The wheelhouse was stove-in. Mr,. John Cutbush, who rescued Mr. Ward, ■ performed a herculean task. Mr. Ward had a vice-like grip on the boom, and both men were pounded by heavy seas. Mr. Cutbush had considerable diffi, culty in releasing Mr. Ward's arm* from the "boom, which, being attached to the boat, was swinging wildly about, as each sea struck the ship. J[r. Ward was in the water for 45 minutes before being rescued. He is over 60 years of age. He was bruised about the body,' and had an open wound on the forehead where the lifeboat struck him. Mr. Smith, another member ef the crew, was bleeding profusely when he jumped ashore. \ v The trawler lies hi jh and dry on. the main beach, and is external/ damaged.