KETCH ASHORE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12198, 24 July 1925, Page 4

KETCH ASHORE

CREW SAFELY LANDED STRANDED TO AVOID DISASTER. Per Press Association /.WHAKATANE, July 23. The auxiliary ketch Fairb’urn, bound from Whakatane to Whangaroa, was stranded last night on Ocean Beach, half-way between Whakatane and Matata. The vessel left Whakatane on Tuesday evening, and soon after met with dirty weather and sought 'shelter at nale Island. Last night the gale became so heavy that the vessel dragged her anchor, and Captain Teixeira decided to put to sea at 8 p.m. A stormy northerly gale Was blowing, and Captain Teixeira kept on a northerly tack to avoid the Whakatane heads. A'huge sea was running, and Eventually the captain deoided the best course was to run the vessel ashore through tbe breakers. , • As the vessel entered the breakers mountainous seas almost submerged her, and Captain Teixeira ordered the engineer out a£ the engine-room. The engineer and crew took to the rigging while the captain remained at the wheel. It was a trying moment when the vessel got over the last breaker and . landed high and dry on the beach. At one moment the wheel was wrested. from the captain’s grasp, and he was struck on the ribs and thigh, receiving nasty bruises. Captain Teixeira considers that when the weather moderates he will be able to continue the voyage. MESSAGE TO G.P.O. SECRETARY The secretary of the G.P.0., Mr A. Markman, has received the following message from the postmaster, Whakatane: “It is reported that the scow Fairburn is ashore at Orini outlet. Crew reported to he safe.”