TOLL OF THE SEA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15445, 4 May 1912, Page 9

TOLL OF THE SEA.

AMERICAN SCnOONER WRECKED. (Pirn United Phess Association.) •'• AUCKLAND, May 3. Tho Taltino, which arrived at Auckland to-day from tho Islands, brought news of tho wreck of the American three-masted echoonor G. W. Watson on a reef at liaia* too, in tho Society Group, on April 5. The schooner had completed discharging a cargo of lumber from Pugot Sound, and was proceeding to sea under the chargo of a pilot when she struck a roof in tlio channel. Sho remained lurd and fast for ■ several hours, but was ovontuaJly floated off, and proceeded on her voyago to San Francisco. The veseel had barely cleared tho island when it was discovored that sho was fast making water. The pumps woro manned, and an endeavour was made to keep tho water under. After manceiiYruig about for somo time tho captain decided to return to Eaiatea, and tho vessel was headed for llio north-west passage. It wa s while attempting to negotiate' this passage that sho camo to her end. By, that time tho water liad gained considor-' ably, nnd on the wells being again" sounded it was found that lift of water was in hor hold. The sliip bocamo iinmanageable, and sho 6tnick tho rcof about; seven miles boforo reaching tho passago.Slio then settled on the reef, and soon beouno a total wreck. When tlio Taluno passed tho spot on April 18 only the fore part of tho vessel ! was visible. Tho wreck was subsequently purchased by the natives for a small sum., Tho captain, his wife, and tho crew", numbering seven, readied tho shore," and. \ they proceeded by the Tnluno lo,Rnro- r tonga, where they joined the mail steamer. Aorangi for San 1-r.iricisco. ~"