BARQUE ASHORE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9690, 19 June 1917, Page 5

BARQUE ASHORE

STRANDED AT PENCARROW JOHN BN A FROM SAN FRANCISCO IN DISTRESS. BROADSIDE ON 20 YARDS FROM SHORE. (‘onsidorable .surprise u-as expressed evening ul.cn the news was circulated that a large sailing ship laid tun ashore at tlic entrance to Wellington harbour. The fine four-masted barque John Ena, inward bound from San Francisco, foiled to corno around while entering port, and ran ashore on Do roelis close up to the low-lying ugh at Pencarrow Head. Although tho Union Co.’s powerful salvage tug lerawhiti and the harbour tug Baraka went down to the scene, they were unable, to do anything last night, but will endeavour to salvage the barque tibia morning. The John Una, which was oO days out from San Francisco with a cargo ("ise oil and barrels of oil, signalled for a Pilot oIV the Wellington Heads yesterday afternoon. The haihofu steamer' Admiral wont out and pilot Spence aboard the sailei <lf the Western Ledge at Palmer Hoad, and, he was bringing the barque, in under shortened sail _ when she took the ground about 5.30 p.m. , ' Prompt word was gent to Captain J Dawson, harbourmaster. He. telephoned to the light-keeper at Ponearrow to light a big fire mi the beach to illuminate the scene m case tho erew of the distressed barque had to quit tho vessel or should she break Up. ASSISTANCE SENT OUT. The steamer Terawhiti. left town at 0 p m. with heavy steel hawsers for towing-off purposes. There wore on board Captain J. Dawson and n ’- l ; n l|’ erh the Vaeiuim Oil Company s st.itt, also proceeded, with tho Terawhiti. Tho small harbour steamer Karaka loilnwed a quarter of an hour later, arrival at tho socno it was evident that owing to tho ha rquo being surrounded by “foul ground, it "’ bo dangerous to attempt to go close to her at night-time. , , , Tho Terawhiti remained about -uu Tarda out from the John Ena, but the 'Karaka, drawing; much dess' water, was able to got within 100 yards o, tho distressed vessel. Tho captain ot tho barque lowered a ship’s boat anti lent his wife, child and brother-in-law olf to the Terawhiti. Tho, captain reported that the John Ena had made about six inches of water in four hours. This, if it did not increase, could easily be kept under by the ship’s pumps. BARQUE LIFTING AND BUMPING. . There was a heavy southerly sea when tho Terawhiti arrived off Penoarrow Head. The barque was lifting and bumping. As nothing further could be done last night, tho Terawhiti headed for town at 11.15 p.m., and reached tho wharf just after midnight. The Karaka remained down tho harbour for tho night, ready to lend aid or to take off the crew if necessary. The -steady southerly breezethat had boon blowing in the afternoon died away late last night, and tho heavy southerly sea was also decreasing when the Terawhiti left for town. Tim John Ena, lies about twenty yards from the shore, close to tho low-lying light, heading up tho harbour, and therefore broadside on to the beach, with a pinnacle rock on. each side of her. The John Ena has a cargo of 90,000 cases of oil and 800 barrels of oil consigned to the Vacuum Oil Company. The cargo is booked to be distributed n<* Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin. The vessel has made several trips to Australia, but has not previously visited New Zealand. This is her first trip for the Standard Oil Company, which bought he r only a few months ago. Captain C..V. Olson is in command. Shortly after 1 o'clock this morning word was received that tho barque was showing signs of gradually moving astern, and the Terawhiti was preparing to go down to tho harbour again to ascertain'what could be done. Tho John Eua is a' four-masted barque of 2842 tons gross, and 2706 tons not, classed as 100 A 1 at Lloyds. Tho principal dimensions are; Length 312 ft Din, beam 48ft lin, and depth 25ft. She was built by R. Duncan and Co., of Glasgow, in 1892, and is owned by the Standard Oil Company of U.S.A. . , Pencarrow Head is situate three miles from Baring Head, and is_ the eastern entrance point of Port Nicholson. It is a bold cliff, with a lighthouse on its summit. 'Extending off this head for nearly two cables are low, straggling rocks. Tho beacon light, known as the lowlying light, is at an elevation of somo 32ft above soa-lcvel at high water. This light was erected at tho foot of Pencarrow Head. It shows white sectors up the harbour to seawards and a red sector over the foul ground.