HURRICANE AT TONGA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8363, 25 February 1913, Page 8

HURRICANE AT TONGA

AMERICAN SCHOONER WRECKED. DRIVEN ASHORE AND CONSUMED BY FLAMES. Press Association. AUCKLAND, February 24. The Island steamer Atua, which arrived from the Pacific Islands last evening, brought news of the severe hurricane which swept down on the Tongan Group on the morning of February 10th. With scarcely three minutes' warning the hurricane, accompanied by torrential rain, burst upon Nukualofa. The American schooner Borealis had arrived at the Island port a few days previously from Columbia river, and was discharging a cargo of lumber. Captain F. dintbom was aboard with ten officers and men. At this stage the crew were inclined to give themselves up as lost, but the captain ordered them to jump. Just as the vessel was being lifted by another big sea, one of the men sprang on to the wharf. The remaining men were fortunately given another chance to reach safety, for the wind again drove the vessel against the wharf. Before the sea had time to take her on to the reef they managed to scramble on to the wharf just in time as the vessel was being swept past hehdlong for the reef. The schooner was then driven on to the reef. Flames were seen about 4 a.m. issuing from the forecastle, where several oil lamps had been left burning by the crew. The flames secured a good hold, and the vessel was burned to the water’s edge while resting on a rugged part of the reef. By daylight practically nothing could be seen of the schooner, and she subsequently broke up.