THE VENTNOR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4802, 4 November 1902, Page 5

THE VENTNOR.

STORY OP THE CHIEF OFFICER. Special to the “ Times.” AUCKLAND, November 3. The survivors of the Ventnor’a crew differ as to the probable fat© of the missing boat. A Frenchman named Ohean says ho jumped out of tho captain’s boat when the Ventnor was almost sinking, and was picked up by th© third mate’s boat. Ail hands in the captain’s boat excepting two Chinese and himself were drowned. This statement the officers do not believe, as after tho steamer sank they say somebody in the captain’s boat called for a bailer. It is considered that the captain’s boat and occupants may have been drawn under by suction when the vessel went down. The mate, Mr Cameron, interviewed, said—At midnight on Monday, the 26th October, the second officer went on watch. At 1.30 a.m. I was awakened by a shock, and running to the bridge, found land ahead, [and everybody on deck. The boats were lowered to the rail. Number ono hold was filling rapidly, and number two tank was full. The engines were reversed, and the vessel floated. We proceeded at half-speed, as it was not considered there was immediate danger. The pumps were worked all that night, but we found the water gaining. By Monday morning the vessel had steamed sixty-seven miles, and was steering well. The captain hoped to reach Auckland, though we were five feet down by the head. On ■ Monday morning water had appeared in the fore peak, and next morning there was five feet Here. The vessel wag down ahead to the tween decks, and before six o'clock the water was over the for© peak. The captain then altered the course to fetch th© land. The 'vessel moved very slowly and then became unmanageable. After a conference we decided to stick to the ship.' Laud was sighted at 2 p.m. next day. The water was ■ then washing freely over tho decks, which were flush with the sea. At five o’clock the boats were provisioned. We were then ten miles off Hokianga heads. A little later the engines were stopped and the captain decided to wait for daylight, but the vessel settled down fast. At nine o’clock the main deck was almost under water. Half an hour later five boats were lowered and manned. Sundenly the side lights disappeared, and two minutes later the Ventnor foundered bow first. The captain stood on the port side of the vessel, and leaning over the rail, said “Shove off, boys.” He then walked to the other side of the steamer, where) there were two other boats. That was the last I saw of him. The faird mate states that <the'captain and himself jumped overboard. Beyond this the reports are very contradictory. The general impression is that the davits struck the captain’s boat, which capsized. Tho third mate's boat got clear, and subsequently picked up three men. The third mate heard somebody call for a bucket, but there was no call for help as the Ventnor sank. The third mate’s crew sighted Hokianga light at 2 o’clock in the morning. They had a fearful battle with the breakers and on crossing the bar found the small boat’s crew already ashore. The third boat was picked up by a tug. The fourth boat is still missing. PRESS ASSOCIATION. NEW PLYMOUTH, November 3. The principal keeper of Cape Egraont lighthouse reports that he saw th© Ventnor hove-to four miles due west of the lighthouse at daylight on Monday last. Suspecting that something was wrong, he signalled "Has any accident happened?" Although the flags were flying for an hour, no jamswor was given. At 6.30 the vessel shaped a northward course. She appeared very much down by the head. The Magisterial inquiry into the foundering of the Ventnor will be held in Auckland on the return of the chief officer, who has gone in the steamer Sterling to search for the missing boat’s crew.