WRECK OF THE WAIKARE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7020, 7 January 1910, Page 4

WRECK OF THE WAIKARE.

CRUISER PIONEER'S RETURN,

MESSAGES OF THANKS.

SPECIAL TO THE " TIMES."

INVERCARGILL, January C. Thn Wai lea re's passengers left Uhiff for North li.v special train at 7.30 this •morning, and ijavo hearty cheers on leaving the station for the New Zealand Government, Sir Jweph Ward, C'oin'innndnr Blunt, and the officers of 11.M.5. 'Pioneer, Captain Newton, officers ami Vrew and the stewards of the ill-fated 'W'aikare. Upon his arrival here this morning Sir (T. G. Ward sent the following appreciative telegrams to Sir James Mills:— I extend inv sympathy to your company in Hio loss of your fine Fteamcr Waikare., and at the ramc time congratulate you at the absence of losb of life, which might have been otherwise. Though.l did not witness tho promptitude with which the captain, his officers and crew acted, when tho emergency arose, ono and all of tho passengers aro loiul in the praise they bestow upon them for the fine discipline and remarkably prompt action that enabled all the passengers to bo put away iu safety in tho boats within ten minutes after the steamer struck. It is such actions at times of emergency that inspire the public with well-deserved confidence fit your great service. (Signed) J. G. WARD. Sir James Mills, Dunedin— I would liko to say to you that the two .stewardesses- of the Waikare aro perfect Britons, and havo won golden opinions from all who have had tho opportunity of witnessing their splendid devotion to duty. Coolness, courtesy and wonderful attention havo characterised their conduct, and they ore a credit to your company and to Now Zealand. On all hands I am •informed that the lady passengers at the time of the emergency behaved splendidly, and your two stewardesses wore cool and capable leaders, and on the Pioneer I can say that they left • nothing undone all night in their kind action to the lady passengers. (Signed) 3. G. WARD. Sir Joseph also sent the following to Admiral Poore. Sydney:— On. behalf of the Government I wish, through yon to thank Commander Blunt, his' officers and crew' for tho splendid services at short notice rendered by them in proceeding to Dusky Sound and bringing safely to Bluff Harbour within twenty-four hours 210 passengers and crew of the wrecked steamer Waikaire, all of whom were made most comfortable aboard the Pioneer and received the froatest attention and kindness from he Commander and his officers and men. (Signed) WAED, Prime Minister. FEATS 0? BEAYEEY SEVERAL PRESENTATIONS. . I-EBSS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, January 6. The AVaikare's passengers arrived at Dunedin at 1.25 p.in. In the course of conversation with a reporter, Mr Enos Bacon, of : England, one of the passengers, said : —"One of the pluckiest things I know of was thle action of one of the stokers, who was at tho fires working away with'the water up to his waist. The engineers, too, were in the (engineroom until they were also up to their waists in water. But perhaps the bravest thing of 'all was the plucky journey of the Second officer, who dn a motor boat, towing . another boat with six or seven of the crew in it, went out in the rough sea and succesfully reached Puysegur Point lighthouse. Captain Nfewtown was on the bridge all the time, and at the moniert we struck he- had the chart in his hand. The women behaved very bravely. If any were excited they were the men, not tho 'women." Another passenger said when the secend engineer and the last of the firemen left their posts to come on deck the water was up to their armpits. As the vessel approached the shore she struck another rook and slewed round parallel ■ to the shore, where she now lies. ■■ An address expressing appreciation of thle conduct of the captain, officers and crow have been signed by nearly all the .passengers. The ladies separately presented a somlewhat similar address to Captain Newton. I'urthor marks of regard were made in th.B case of the carpenter (J. Watts) and the cook (Jones) by their being presented with monetary considerations by the passengers. The creV of the boat that wsrft to Puysegur was similarly honoured. Mr George Moodie, photographer, Btates that he has suffered loss totalling about £3O in plates, negatives and print*. SHIP CANNOT BE SAVED OFFICrTRfI STILL AT DUSKY SOUND. DUNEiDIN, January 6. One of the telegrams sent by Mr Wnitson, secretary of the Union Steamship Company, states that there are no prospects of saving the ship, which will probably slip into the water the first bad weather. Tho captain, chief and second officers, chief and second engineers., chief steward, cook, and boatswain, carpenter, and several men of each department of the Waikare were left at Dusky Sound. Sir James Mil Is, chairman of directors &t the Union Company, replying to the Premier's telegram of sympathy, promises to see that the services of the stewardesses shall be suitably recognised. Mr W. A. Kennedy, local manager for the Union Company, has received a telegram from bieadqularters stating that the chances of saving the Waikare aro extremely poor. Tho Union Company's salvage tug Terawhiti will no* sail from Wellington for tho scene of the wreck unless the Monra brings back a hopeful report upon the possibility of salvaging the Waikare. THE SOUNDS' ATTRACTION NO SET-BACK. IEESB ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, January 6. The Hon. T. Mackenzie, who was on a *isit to Invercargill to-day, was interviewed in regard to Dusky Sound, with which tho Minister is particularly well acquainted. He said that the sound had a great interest for him, because of Its historical associations, and also because of the fact that in 189-1 and 1896 •ho explored the country between the south-west arm of Manapouri, connecting his explorations with the part that Captain Cook finished. Dttoky Sound

GKATITUDE OF EESCUED PASSENGERS,

was the scene of Captain Cook s most important west coast work. He made a most careful survey of it, and his maps to this uay were, Mr Mackenzie cons-ider-ed, tho verv best that had ever been published. He (the Minister) had spent u month in the sound. There was an island called Anchor Island near the entrance, and during a fearful storm that raged in the inside harbour tho Vancouver was nearly wrecked. There were dangerous rocks in tho sound, and there was one which Captain Sinclair, formerly of the Tarawera, had been afraid of. It was only 12ft deep at low tide. Then- was also a lot of small islands that no navigator would go near, but he (Mr Mackenzie) had always understood that the fair-way was clear. Do you think that this accident will interfere- with the tourist traffic? Mr Mackenzie was asked. . . "Oh, no," replied the Minister. Navigators r-an afford to leave the soxvth ride of Indian Island and take the north pide (tho way I have usually gone), where the water-way is deep and wide. THE PIONEER'S JOURNEY STORY OF WRECK AND RESCUE. ! "TIMES" SPECIAL CORRESPOND DENTS NARRATIVE. The following appeared in the second edition of the "Times" yesterday:— SPECIiI TO THE " TIMES." BLUFP, January 6, 6.40 a.m. An official report upon the wreck in. Dusky Sound of the Union Company s line passenger steamer Waikare at noon on Tuesday is unobtainable, the officers declining to give any information upon tho subject. ■- What can be gloan.?d from passengers ( and crew, however, 6hows that the vessel struck an uncharted pinnacle rock. about half a mile from Indian Island, in Dusky Sound, at 12.25. Tho Waikare, with two hundred and seventy passengers, had completed her Sounds excursion, and was making for the open, sea when the disastrous occurrence arrested her progress, and eventually left her a total wreck upon Stoney Island, a couple of miles distant from the spot of comtaot. KIPPED FKOM STEM TO STERN GREAT INRUSH OP WATER, Tho rock appears to have ripped the ship's bottom from stem to stern, and the water poured "in faster than pumps and condensers could ever hope to cope with. Captain Newton realised the serious nature of his misfortune, and quickly ordered the crew to their boat stations. The passengers state that with one exception there was absolutely nothing in the way of panic or disturbance, and that gentleman iB so ashamed of his conduct that further mention is soaroely necessary. With remarkable promptitude passengers and luggage were safely landed and Captain Newton decided to beach the vessel in the nearest cove. Stoney Island, two miles off, was the object of his intention, but the rapidly increasing influx of .water extinguished the fires in the stokehold and found its way into the engine-room, so that the steam had been expended before the island could be reached, and the Waikare had only sufficient momentum to strike the shelving reef with holding force. j Thiere she took a list, with her stern in deep water, and gradually sank lower by the stern until her port deck was almost flush with the tide. There she at present remains. ~ A PLUCKY YOYAGE ; BOAT LEAVES TO STJMMON ASSIST- • • /.NCE-. . In the afternoon the oil launch, under Mr Appleyard (second officer) set out on the long and venturesome voyage to Puysegur lighthouse to telephone for assistance. They succeeded in reaching their destination, and the public were i acquainted of the fact that the Waikare had been wrecked, and that the whole of her passengers and crew were safe. Word reached the Premier (Sir Joseph 'Ward) at Bluff shortly after 10 p.m.-, and H.M.S: Pioneer promptly left at daybreak for.the scene of the wreok. At G a.m. Commander Blunt signalled the collier Rosamond, from Westport, but ibis vessel bad no tidings. PIONEER STEAMS WELL AGAINST HEAVY HEAD SEAS. The war vessel, despite heavy seas and tho fact that she had not been over-, ■hauled since June, kept up a uniform speed of about 16 to 17 knots, and but for a strong contrary current in Foveaux Strait would have made better time. The Pioneer •. unsuccessfully, signalled Puysegur Point at 11.30 a.m., and reached Dusky Inlet shrartly before 2 o'clock. I There the Waikaro was seen, bull down, (beached on Stoney unexpected sight, because aill on board had been led to believe that the steamer had , sunk .totally in deep water. PASSENGEES PICKED UP ' RESCUE SHIP STARTS ON THE RETURN. Delay was occasioned on account of. a party of eighteen ladies being stationed in the caretaker's cottage on Resolution Island, but the Pioneer was enabled to start with passengers and baggage on the return journey to the" Bluff'at 5 p.m., arriving there under easy steam at 5.45 this morning. STONEY ISLAND TWO SQUARE MILES OF BUSH, . Stoney Island has an area of roughly a couple of square miles, and an. altitude

of up to 200 feet. It is bush covered to the edge of the cliffs or water, and is about 2J miles from Indian Island, .near which tho uncharted rock was encountered. SCENE AT THE WRECK. REFUGEES WELL CARED FOR. An inspection of the wreck revealed nothing new beyond an impression that the steamer would turn turtle and disappear into deep water at no very distant hour. The cove where tne camp was made comprises a shelving rock, which was literally strewn with dunnage removed from the wreck. Tents, chairs, tables, booms, baggage, and provision cases, tarpaulins, etc., were ail over the place, and up the side of the hill. It was a coast landing. A testimonial testifying to the exr«>llent care of Captain Newton has been unanimously signed by the passengers. 'a he wrecked passengers have subset i'W ,£BS to be divided among the cook and his helpers, the carpenter and the boatswain. Captain Newton and the first and second officers remained with the vessel, but will probably return by the s.s. Moura, which reaches Dusky Sound today. An excellent houseboat was erected by the crew. " WIRELESS" ADVANTAGES. HOW THE RESCUE WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPEDITED. A wireless telegraph plant on the Waikare would have enabled the Pioneer to ireach the 6pot on Tuesday evening instead of Wednesday afternoon, thus showing that tho proposed installation cm ■various vessels of the Union Company's fleet will have its advantages, even though there should be no land stations. The officers shortly after the wreck made a search for the mysterious rock, but were unable to find it. Another uncharted one in the proximity to, the supposed pinnacle rock was, however, sounded at seven fathoms, and a.buoy affixed to facilitate further search. A MATTER FOR THANKFULNESS. Every credit is due to the commander, officers, and crew of the Pioneer for the great promptitude shown in reaching the scene. Had there been anything seriously wrong with ihie passengers, as those on the Pioneer had been led to expect, the expedition with which Commander Blunt got under way would have resulted in untold relief t» those standing by the wreck. A MEDICO'S STORY STODEN SEVERE SHOCK PASSENGERS ALARMED, BUT NO PANIC. Dr Crawford, of Kai&poi, gave a very interesting account of- hit experience. He and his wife and Mr Barber (the fourth officer) were chatting on deck at 12.15 p.m., while the steamer •was pro-' ceeding down the Sound at full speed towards the sea. They had just passed Indian Island when they were startled by a sudden, severe shock to the vessel, which sensibly reduced her speed. This was followed almost immediately by a second shock, and a third (less severe). There . was naturally considerable •alarm amongst the passengers, but absolutely no panic ensued. In about three minutes the ship took a considerable list to starboard, and the order came from Captain Newton to stand by the boats. i Lifebelts were handed out, and in ten minutes a boat; full of ladies, in charge of two sailors, and the doctor himself, who was the only male passenger on that boat, got away and. landed on a small Island half a mile from where the ship struck Two of the ladies each took an oar during the journey. In the meantime the Waikare had sailed on a couple of miles, and had been grounded on Stoney Island. The passengers were quickly ferred, together with a large quantity of stores, etc. The coast thereabouts was very rocky, and the water deep olose in shore. Only the bow of the Waikare was grounded, the stern being in very deep water, and as there was considerable danger of the ship slipping off into the deep water, wire hawsers and ropes from &tem and stern were made fast ashore. " Fortunately the weather, which during the whole trip bad been very wet, had cleared during the morning, and the work of landing stores and baggage was proceeded with under favourable condiThe earlier hours of the afternoon .passed very quiokly, everyone (including many of the ladies) working like Trojans. PREPARING CAMP. The orew were soon at work clearing ,a space in the ■ bush above high-water mark and lighting fires. Tea and coffee •were soon available for the ladies, together with sandwiches and other food. The heaviest work was in getting the baggage off tho rocks, where it had been left in heaps, and through the luxuriant bush. Shelters were made for the night, and large sails' were strung up to keep off tho. rain, and under these mattresses were laid, with the result that by 9 o'clock most of the people had selected their camping ground and settled down for the night. . ' As evening approached rain began to .fall heavily, but fortunately it did not last very long, the latter portion of the •night being clear and fine. The utmost igood humour prevailed thoroughout, and nil took the discomfiture of their position very light-heartedly. One wit played "We wont go home till morning" ion the dinner bugle. No one really got (much sleep, and it was with a 6igh of relief that dawn -was welcomed. By 7 a.m. the cooks, with, praiseworthy success, and in the face of many drawbacks in the way of cooking utenisils, produced an excellent repast of eggs, and "bacon, which was partaken of ty all bands with groat gusto. A motor launch had been dispatched during the previous aftennoon to Puysegur point lighthouse, and it, was with great pleasure that its successful return was greeted. The boat, was in charge of Mr Appleyard (second officer) and ringing cheers greeted the excellent work of that officer and his men. They brought the welcome intelligence that the s.s. Moura was being dispatched from Dunedin, and that their imprisonment - on . "Shipwreck Island" would not be prolonged more than another night. They were all very excited when word was passed that H.M.S. Pioneer had unexpectedly appeared to take off the passengers and ba.ggage. The stay of the passengers shorter thiaai was anticipated, as hhey had resigned themselves to wait for the relief boat. They wore all intensely grateful for the attention and care bestowed on tbe passengers bv all members of the ship's complement. STRANGE PREMONITION. THREE OMINOUS BUMPS. Mr Wm. E. Peck, of New York, who is a traveller- of very varied experience, and who has suffered shipwreck in South America previously, took a keon interest

in the Waikare's end. Three ominous bumps, he said, indicated an inglorious termination to the vessel's excursion. Passengers who had previous experiences of this sort of thing did not have to be told what those tearing, grating sounds meant, and immediately prepared to disembark. The quivering and subsequent listing of the vessel satisfied everyone, and as the whistle sounded tho crew 9 rushed to their respective boats, and within fifteen minutes all tho passengers had disembarked, and were safely landed on shore. Some of the ladies who landed first handled large trunks as easily as experienced porters, and when later on the men arrived they found that the ladies had accomplished a large part of the work. None of the ladies lost their heads, and they acted like veteran soldiers. Mr Peck referred to the dripping rain that fell to their lot, and which soaked through the tarpaulins on to the sleepers underneath. Mr Peck added that Mrs Peck, who ha>i been a passenger, had had such a strong premonition that something was going to happen t* the Waikaro that she Left it at Milford and returned overland. She did not know why it was, but she was determined not to go in the ship again. "And, by Jove, she was right!" added Mr Peck. WAIKARE SLOWLY SINKS ENGINE ROOM AND CABINS AWASH. By the morning the Waikare, which had been beached on Stoney Island, slowly sank, and the engine rooin and lower cabins were awash. Much dunnage was removed from the vessel, including the upper deck piano. The kodak fiend was everywhere. EXPERIENCE OP WELLINGTON RESIDENT MR M. CHAPMAN, K.C. Mr Martin Chapman, K.C, of Wellington, said he felt a bump as though a' big sea had hit the vessel, and presently there was another bump, and a grating sound. In a few minutes he could see that the boat was Bettling down by the stern and getting a heavy list to starboard, on which side she had been struck. The fact that the screw was churning up tho water showed that the boat was settling down by the hehd as well. ... „_j ' The skipper reversed his engines, ana blew the boat station signal. Everything was carried out without the slightest Mtoh or the least delay. Withm 15 minutes all the passengers were clear of the vessel, which steamed another couple of miles and beached on btoney Island. sue could not have gone any further, as all the fires were out, and the stokers, he understood, had worked up to their necks in water. As it was she finished her effort with the last of her "way." There was no suspicion ol panic or anything like that while the stewards and crew could not do .too much for the passengers, and were nothing but politeness. , • It seemed' to Mr Chapman that the people did not realise that ,there had been a shipwreck at all, and the good humour of all concerned was a treat. GOING TO SLEEP AGAIN CHRISTCHURCH SURVEYOR'S STORY. "I was having a little ' map before lunch," said Mir F. W. Freeman, surveyor, of Christchurch, "when I was wakened up by a bump. I looked out of the port hole, and as I could see nothing unusual I turned over to sleep again. My cabin rmaite rushed_ down and told me to hurry up as the shin had struck. We hurried up oindeok and learned that the vessel had struck on an uncharted,-rock. "There was no panic, and one could soarcely imagine that so serious a thing as a wreck had taken place." WORD POR OFFICERS AND CREW PROFESSOR BENHAM'S IMPRESSIONS. Professor Benham, of Otago University, said he would like to impress the point regarding what the officers and crew had done for the passengers. There* ; had been no shortage of food, tents, or anything. One thing that had struck him in particular was the great promptitude with • which. lifebelts were distributed and fixed and the boats run down to the water. Two or three ladies (reduced their clothing to scanty proportions, and had to be, refitted out on shore, and that was th/only unorthodox occurrence. The landing place was a good one, and the surroundings comfortable, including a fine creek. It would have •been hard to find a more suitable lauding place.