WRECK OF A SCOW

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1847, 31 July 1907, Page 17

WRECK OF A SCOW

FOUR AIEN DROWNED. THE SURPRISE LOST ON THE EAST COAST. A SOLITARY SURVIVOR. AUCKLAND, July 23. A telegram from Tairua states that a messenger from Ohui has just ridden over and reported that the scow Surprise (79 tons) went ashore on the rocks about a mile from the north end of Ohui beach, and is a total wreck. The captain, mate, and two seamen aro supposed to be drowned. A fifth hand —Harry W. Jackson, oi Norfolk Island—got ashore and founa his way to Ohui, where he is being looked after by Mr James McGregor. He is badly knocked about and rambles , a little in his talk, but is expected to bo well in a day or two. From what can bo gathered from the imperfect account of the disaster given* by Jackson, tho scow dragged her anchors right from Slipper Island, and went ashore on tho coast early on Sunday morning. On June 23th tho crew of tho Surprise comprised the following:— J. Jalliere, master. A. Stewart, 19 years. E. Johansen, 19 years. W. Kelly, 17 years. H. W. Jackson, 20 years. Captain Jalliere was taken on in plaeo of Captain R. W. Oliffe, who was sick, when the vessel was in Auckland last. Johansen and Kelly signed on when tlio vessel was here last month, and the above list comprised the crew at the time she left this port. Ohui is situated seven miles from Tairua river, on the east coast, and a hundred and seven miles from Auckland. Slipper Island, so called from its shape, is two miles from the mainland. A r essels can ride out a north-easter by anchoring westward of. the south end of Slipper Island, and there is shelter from a south-easter in a bay further north. No doubt the unfortunate scow Jiad taken refuge under this island during the heavy gales which raged on Saturday and Sunday. %