WRECK OF THE SURPRISE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6272, 27 July 1907, Page 7

WRECK OF THE SURPRISE

A TERRIBLE TIME. STORY OF THE SOLE SURVIVOR. PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, July 26. Harry Jackson, sole survivor of the wrecked scow Surprise, relating his experiences, said: Tho Surprise, when off Slipper Island on Friday night, started to drag with three anchors out. The captain ordered the crew to set the stay-sail, but immediately afterwards she struck on the south end of the Watchman rocks. The captain sang out, “Good-bye.” That was the last I saw of him and of the boy Frank Kelly. » The scow was bumping very hard. Alf. Stewart, Edward Johansen, and I took to the fore-rigging.' We stayed there a little time, and then came down' and went aft. The ship came stern-'first off the rocks, and capsized.- I-: lost‘ sight of Stewart and never saw him again. Johansen and I stuck to the main rigging, after which tho scow drifted midway between the Watchman rocks and the coast. I swam ashore, but never saw Johansen again. I am a good swimmer, but the breakers were very large and rough. One breaker took mo ashore. Others came immediately afterwards and smashed me on the rooks. That was how I was so much out and bruised. I had been in the water five or six hours. I climbed about half-way -up the cliffs, and then collapsed from exhaustion. 1 stayed there the whole of Sunday, and at night felt ill and unable to go further. Next morning, feeling a little better, I climbed up over the cliffs and eventually reached J. McGregor’s house, where I received every kindness, was put to bed, and carefully nursed.

My position on Sunday was terrible. It was a wild stormy day. and I was stuck half-way up the cliffs with only a small on reaching to my thighs. I was unable to move farther. The cliffs were below me and high perpendicular hills above. I thought I was done, for I lay there in the storm all Sunday, and in tho night the pain was so severe and unbearable that 1 wished I was dead. The weather appeared better on Monday morning, and having gained a little extra strength, I started to crawl along, not knowing exactly where X was. VISIT TO THE SCENE. AUCKLAND, July 26. A Tairna message states that the steamer Onslow visited the scene of the wreck of tho Surprise again yesterday. Constable Brown and party searched the beaches, but could find no bodies. They secured a flag, some broken lifebuoys and the name hoard. Tho steamer called at Ohui and brought Harry Jackson, tho sole survivor, to Tairua. He is still weak. As showing the fury of the storm, dozens of crayfish and dead fish were thrown up on the beach, also tons of seaweed. , , . The ship s dog was found lying on the Pawanui beach.