LOSS OF THE HIPPOLAS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14699, 6 December 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

LOSS OF THE HIPPOLAS

PICKED UP P,Y THE TAKAPUNA SINKS WHILE lil'INV. TOWED TO PORT. WELLINGTON, November 21. The Takapuna. which arrived to-day from Nelson, via Picton, picked up ihe barque Hippolas, in ballast, and waterlogged, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, on the Jacksou's H?ad side of the French Pass. 'Hie Hippolas had 6ft of water in her, and sho was Hying signals for " Immediate assistance.". When ooarded by the chief officer oi the Takapuna and a party of her 1 crew she cvtis found to be deserted. A quantity of used distress signals were lying about, and there wa; every indica- ; tion tint- -she had been left, in a hurry. ; The barque's boats and the belongings of the cre.v had gone. Tlio Takapuna. towed the barque foi , live hours, when the water in the barque ' gained rapidly on the ship's pumps. I The Hippolas then gave an ugly lurch, I which acted as a warning .to the skeleton I crew on hoard her from the Takapuna. i All hands took to tho boats, and the aim in i was sounded to the Takapuna to cease I towiilg as the barque was sinking. Capi tain Stewart slood by at the stern oi tin ; Takapuna, and with a hatchet severed the ) tow lines just as the Hippolas took hei 3 final plunge. The Hippolas sank within three-quarter; J of an hour's run to Picton in 35 fathom: f of water. The members of the Takapuna'e ; crew who, were doyi£ duty on, the Hippo

las had just- time to leap over into tho ! steamer's boats alongside before the Hippolas disappeared, bow h'rst. , Tho Hippolas was bound from Tiniaru to Kaipara in ballast. She was commanded by Captain Norris, formerly of the barquentino Jap. Captain Norris joined tne barque recently at Clarence River. THE CREW RESCUED. WELLINGTON, November 21. The crew of the Hippolas was picked up by the steamer Elsie, and landed at Picton ' all well. They report that the Hippolas ■ j struck Walker rock at 2 o'clock on. Saturday morning, and immediately commenced Ito make water rapidly. The crew, therc- : fore, left to seek assistance. Shortly after- • I wards they saw the Takapuna take the ! barque in tow. STATEMENT BY THE CAPTAIN. PICTON, November 22. Captain Thomas Norris, interviewed, said that the barque, in ballast, left I Timaru for Havelock on November 17. Noaring Cape Campbell a north-west gale I hampered progress, and it took four, days Ito reach Cloudy Hay. She anchored, ! and reported to headquarters, and started ■ again on Thursday, but put back owing to stress of weather on Friday, She left the bay at 8 p.m., and got off The Brothers at 1.30 a.m. on Saturday. Alter passing Cook's Rock ho looked anxiously for the guiding beacon at Jackson Head I light. The weather was thick, and there was no light visible. This caused uneasiness, and at 2.25 the man on the lookout cried " Hard up," and the helm : responded, but the barque did not. pay off quickly enough, and she struck heavily i on Walker's Rock. He made £or Guard's Rank, and came to anchor in 10 .fathoms of water. There was then 6ft of water in the hold. Tho crow were anxious to \ leave, as the vessel had a big list to star- ' hoard, and all went ashore at Titiran»i in . bouts. 1 t The crew were :—Master, Captain Nor- ' ris; first mate, Ashley Thorpe; second ' mate. E. Cox; cook, A. Leigh: A.B.'s— • H. Badham, G. Whitton, Thinibtirn, '■ Calvcrston, T. Fagitn, S. Fletcher, C. ! M'Gregor. ■ The, ship's papers and some of the pro- ;' visions and personal effects were, taken '" ashore. 1 > NAUTTCAL INQUIRY. ;! WELLINGTON,, November 26. -' The nautical court which inquired into e Ihe matter found that during tho ■ whole voyage Captain Morris had exer--1 c-ised the utmost care. The striking on e Walker Rock was not due to or contrii buted to by negligenre or carelessness. :i A tier striking the master adopted the e best measures for the safety of the n barque and the crew. The barque was a wholly abandoned, and the master was . justified in doing so. The captain of - the Takapuna acted properly in talcing e the barque in tow, and endeavouring to d reach Picton instead of beaching her. :1 , _______