MARITIME MATTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5312, 25 June 1904, Page 16

MARITIME MATTERS

(By "Mainsail.O

Ton men. survivors of a crew of 23, wore lauded at Falmouth (Eng.) early lart month. They pre.wntod a pitiable spectacle. Most of them were scantily aitired: some were barefooted; and one poor fellow was suffering from a snuiMied knee. The men were the .survivors of the crew of tlio Spanish steamer Zazpirak. which had foundered off Land’s End after collision with the Hull steamer CVesyl. Tho vessels, each of which was about 1500 tons register, were iu proximity to the \\olf flock Lighthouse, about 10 miles southwest of Land’s Kml, but so dense was tlio fog that tho light was not visible. Suddenly the captain of tho Zaznirak discerned tiie C royl close upon him, and ordered full speed a.storn. A moment later thcro wax a tremendous impact, and tho bow of tho Spaniard wots carried away. Sho at once began to settle down Ly tho head, and within three minutes had disappeared from view. The crew jumped overboard, and iu their frenzy ionght one another in tlio sea for possession of floating wreckage to which to cling. This eagerness to secure wreckage cost many a life, for as the vessel foundered the suction drew several men down, while the agitated water carried tho wreckage hither and thither, striking the men violently, and inflicting injuries which prevented further efforts to save themselves. The captain was the last man seen to leave the sinking ship. He jumped over tlie stern. As soon as ho reached the water tho revolving propeller struck him, inflicting fatal injuries. and throwing his body into the air. Tho English steamer was badly damaged, but, fortunately, remained afloat. Tbo captain at once ordered the boats to bo lowered, and efforts were made to save the Spaniards. Tho work of rescue was very difficult, for the fog was dense, and there wax much floating wreckage. Ten men were rescued, and taken aboard the Cresyl, and there is no doubt that tlio remainder perished. Only one officer of the Zaznirak, the chief mute, was saved. All the crew were Spaniards. One of the firemen told a thrilling story, which revealed tho heroic conduct of tho chief engineer:—“I was below at the time (said tho man), and heard tho signal for full speed astern. Immediately following th-o signal there was a tremendous boom, as if there had been an explosion, and wo wore all thrown off our feet. Tho chief engineer seemed to realise what had happened, and shouted for all of us below to get on deck. Some of ns tried to get our clothing and belongings. Tho chief engineer remained below until every man had gone up tlio ladder, and I believe this though for his mates cost him his life, for wo never saw him again. When I got on dock the bow of the vessel was already under water, and tho stern in tho air, the propeller still revolving, for we had not even had time to stop tho engines. We all jumped overboard. 1 seized a plank, and tried to get away as far from the ship as I could. Turning to look back, I saw the propeller strike the captain, and throw his (body into the air. Tho sea seemed like a whirlpool, dragging some of the men down, while others wore struck by tlio floating planks, so that they were stunned, and sank without making any further effort to save-them-selves.”

A Norwegian sailor named Brnde, who holds a mate’s certificate, intends to travel from Norway to St Louis, for the exhibition, in a curious boat of his own designing. It is made of iron, and egg-shaped, being entirely without an aperture, except that there is a small turret rising from it, with tour windows, to enable the craft to be. steered. The vessel is being made at the Aalesttnd Mechanical Works. It will have a sort of centre-board keel, capable of being raised and lowered. It will be rigged with a mast and lateen sail. Brudo is looking out for throe other Norsemen to go with him. He expects tho journey will take two months and a half.

The damage to the submarine Al, which lay under water on the English’ coast for a month, is not such as to render her unlit for further serviced Admiral Sir John. Fisher, and tho officers who comprised the Court of Inquiry, in examining the boat’s interior, found that the machinery of it was but little damaged, and she can be got ready for service again in a short time. The batteries have been tested, and found to ho in a’satisfactory condition. The North German Lloyd Prinzess Irene arrived at New York on May 4 with tho captain and crew of the waterlogged Austrian' barquentine Marie Avechia, who were rescued on .-May 1. Captain Bartolozzi, of tho Marie Avechia, says that his sails were shattered by a storm on the passage from Venezuela to Genoa. From March 28 till April 27 the barquentiue was gradually sinking. The crew worked incessantly at tho pumps, blit on April 23 seven of them mutinied and refused to do anymore. The' captain thereupon threatened to shoot them, and from that time stood over them with a pistol in either hand, compelling them to pump unceasingly until sunrise on May 1, when the North German Lloyder was sighted. For three days and nights the captain never left tho deck nor laid his pistol down.