RESCUED MEN’S STORY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11226, 3 June 1922, Page 7

RESCUED MEN’S STORY

“A TERRIFIC THUMP” *’ HEAVY SEAS SWEEP VESSEL. STEAMER FORCED OX ROCKS. PEB PBSSS ASSOCIATION. AUOKLAND, June 2. A special reporter at Tryphena telegraphed: “Men who have come ashore relate a vivid story of their experience during the past thirty-six hours. Heavy weather and torrential rain hAd been experienced for ten hours prior to the wreck, and it was impossible to see a ship’s length off. The impression exited that the ship slowed down somewhat about twenty minutes before she struck. Prior to that she was averaging 320 miles doily. There was a terrific thump when the Wiltshire struck, and 'she gave four distinct jumps as the impetus forced her on the rocks. The whole complement of the vessel was immediately summoned to the boats, and a rocket of distress was sent up. The boats were swung out on the lee side and all hands stood to for one and a half hours, every moment of which was intensified by the suspense. A large sea was breaking over the vessel, particularly aft, and when .it became only too apparent that any attempt to land a boat would see them dashed against a cliff by the terrific seas it was agreed to await the break of day. A NIGHT OF ANGUISH. “All hands spent a night of anguish in the saloon, and the ship shook from stern to bow as each wave struck her. Every man except the ship’s officers went forward at dawn, and about 7.30 a.m. the Atplputy Dfaa<seen in the roadstead. Although she hilng about, she was powerless to render aseitsance. SHIP SNAPS IN TWAIN CAPTAIN JUMPS FROM BRIDGE. “The position at this time was extremely precarious, as the ship had listed to starboard and the after portion was in deep water. This was the condition of affairs until about 11.30 a.m., when, with a noise like a thunderclap, the ship sn&pped in two about No. 4 hatch. Captain Haywood jumped from the bridge and the officers swung themselves down from the forecastle on a rope. Simultaneously with the excitement of this incident there sprang a ray of hope in the breasts of the men who had suffered hour after hour of mental anguish wondering what the next mcnnent would bring forth Now they knew, however, that the forward port, relieved of the dead weight behind, would probably remain secure on the rocks. About this time settlers on the island had arrived on the cuff, and every manner of effort was availed of to get a line ashore. Rockets proved of no avail in combatting the storm, and were all carried adrift, while floating objects met a similar fate. HATCHWAY FLOATS ASHORE FIRST MAN RESCUED. Eventually, about 2.30 p.m., a hatchway safely divined its object, floating on to the shore, and was secured by the patient workers there. long hours passed before an endless line had been established, and Wheatley, the first man, was drawn foot by foot to shore. At intervals three of h» companions joined him, and then operations were suspended for the night, and now the mental anguish of those on board was aggravated by physical endurance. "With the exception of a little steak, there were no other provisions aboard till supplies were got from the shore. Tliis morning an attempt was made to get the,papers from the bridge, but the search was fruitless, and the ship was verily a total wreck. VESSEL ALTERS HER POSITION. , The Wiltshire had altered her position and appearance, since a first glance was obtainod from tho Awhina yesterday. Only two of tho lifeboats remained in tho davits, the "rest having been carried away. Three masts are still standing erect forward, in defiance of the tempest, which has abated to a moderate gale. The smoke stack whlfcb is somewhat smaller than ordinarily, is there, while another mast is pitiably striving to maintain its position immediately behind it.

WRECKAGE PILES UP RESCUED MEN LOSE THEIR WAY. Yesterday the submerged portion of the ship was just discernible, but it has now disappeared. Wreckage is piling up on the shore, particularly on Kaitoke beach, \vhere many mail-bags have been observed. Cigarettes, in tins of fifty, have floated ashore in thousands. , The old saying, ‘*That it never rains but it pours,” was illustrated at the expense of the first ten men who got ashore, for they lost their way endeavouring to clear a mile of bush leading to Rosalie Bay. After an anxious hour in the bush they got free, and came over the hilly and heavy bridletracks to Tryphena, whence they were conveyed to the Katya. SPLENDID (RESCUE WORK RESCUED COMFORTABLY HOUSED. The “Herald’s’’ Coromandel correspondent telegraphed at 6.10 p.m. as follows:—“Up to 4 p.m. forty-Beyen of the crew of the Wiltshire had been landed, the relief party hauling two men ashore every six minutes. The weather conditions are improving slightly. Food and water has been transferred to those remaining, on the wreck, and strenuous efforts will be made to get the balance of the crew off the wreck before dark. A number of the erew are now comfortably housed with settlers at Tryphena.” “A FILTHY NIGHT” KATOA EXCHANGES ROCKETS. » DIFFICULT TO SEE FAR AHEAD. PER PBEBS ASSOCIATION. AUOKLAND, June 2. The “Star” reporter, telegraphing at 4 a.m., stated: The Katoa had a memorable night in responding to the appeal for assistance. She had been six hours on her voyage from Auckland to Whangarei, when, at 11.10 p.m., the wireless operator picked up a S.O.S. call. The night was filthy. Battling against strong head seas, the cargo-carrier had left the Barrier. 25 miles behind when she received the signal of distress. With strong seas behind, her course was hastily retraced. She came round the northern end of the island, exchanging rockets with file wreck. Though she actually had passed the Wiltshire, the latter’s position was not discovered. The difficulty of the Katoa’s task under such tempestuous conditions and the darkness of the night was accentuated, as revealed subsequently by the frightfully snug manner in which the doomed vessel was piled against the coast. The Katoa, hardly seeing a length ahead, coasted about until 6.30 a.m., when she received a wireless message from the Arahura, stating that tho latter was ten miles from the wreck and proceeding there at a speed of fourteen miles an hour. The captain of the Katoa remained at Tryphena and kept in touch with the Arahura by wireless. In this manner it was arranged that the Katoa should send a party ashore. Accordingly a party of five—the chief officer, purser, third engineer, and two able seamen—set out about 9 a.m., and the second party, consisting of the boat- . and an able seaman, was dispatched a few hours later with storm appliances and blankets. ARAHURA HAS TRYING TIME BUFFETED BY HUGE SEAS. The Arahura bung around till 5 p.m. Her 100 passengers will long re. member the buffeting she received until advised to proceed on her journey south. Tho party on the tug Te Awhina had an unenviable trip, but the powerful little vessel made good progress against the stiff north-easter, despite the fact that she was shipping seas continually.

-'The nearest point was sighted about midday, and when Rosalie Bay opened up, the Wiltshire waa revealed piled up at an acute angle, seemingly her own length from the shore, and her hack obviously broken. The forepart from the funnel forward was clearly defined, and some lifeboats were discernible in tho davits. Pathetic little groups could be made out huddled to tho starboard on the forecastle, and though tlie itug approached within* two or three hundred yards it was

powerless to render any assistance. No signs of recognition were made from the unfortunate vessel, and the tug returned to Tryphena. There her party boarded the Katoa. In tho evening the tug went out into the roadstead and brought off the Philomel’s party, with their salvage apparatus. APPARATUS BY SEAPLANE CONVEYANCE OF WELLINGTON APPLIANCES. AUOKLAND, June 2. Arrangements have been made with Walsh Bros, to convey to the Barrier, by aeroplane, the life-saving appliances received from Wellington. The Waiotahi returned at noon from Tryphena Bay. When she left there at 6 o’clock in the morning, there were no fresh developments. It was quite impossible for the Waiotahi or the Katoa to go to the ocean side of the island. A tremendous sea was pounding on the coast there, and the remains of the Wiltshire must ho standing an awful strain. However, it would take a lot to break down the construction of the big ship. Although those aboard might he uncomfortable,, there was little doubt of their eventual rescue. The tug Awhina could not get within a mile of the wreck owing to the raging surf. There were possibilities of disaster as long as the heavy weather lasted, but all chances were in favour of a complete rescue. The tug Awhina returnee! to Tryphena from a visit to the wreck at midday, having been unable to do anything, as the sea is still heavy and the wind 06 blowing hard. MAIL BAGS BURIED IN SAND, from the Postmaster, Coromandel, by ports:—“Mail bags washed up on Kaipok (?) beach. Becoming buried in sand. Collector of Customs is arranging charter Lady Roberts to proceed seaward to investigate the affair.” FORTY-SEVEN MEN LANDED POSITION AT 4 O’CLOCK. The following message was received from the Postmaster Coromandel, by the Secretary, G.P.O.: —“Many of the rescued seamen from the Wiltshire have reached Tryphena, and up to about 4 o’clock forty-seven of the crew had beeil landed. The resou© party are landing two men every six minutes, and are hopeful of completing the task tonight. Food and water has been transferred to those still on the wreck. The weather conditions have slightly improved.”