WRECK OF THE ORPHEUS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20706, 2 May 1929, Page 15

WRECK OF THE ORPHEUS.

SURVIVOR RECALLS DISASTER. TALE OF DISREGARDED WARNINGS. 'Speoiai to Daily Times.;, AUCKLAND. May I. Memories of the wreck of H.M.S. Orpheus on Mauukau Bar «.i, February 7, 18(33, arc vividly recalled by Mr Charles Sturtridge, of Auckland, wiio will celebrate his ninety-fourth birthday tomorrow. He is probably the last survivor of the 71 persons who were saved of the crew of 25(3. The call of t-e sen found a responsive chord in Mr Sturtridge as a boy. He joined the navy as a seaman-stoker, and served in the China waters and at the Cape of Good Hope. Jit Sturtridge graphically narrates the story of the disaster that overtook the L,rphcus in attempting to negotiate the Muniiknu Bar against the signal "An additional warning to the ship was a gun fired from the station,” he says. “ Bradshaw, a captured deserter on board, who, from his experience in sailing timber ships out ot Manukau. know the channel us well as the pilot, warned the captain of tho danger. He was clamped in irons for his pains. Five minutes later tho ship struck and sank beneath the waves in 15 minutes. “ I saved my life by jumping overboard.” he added. •* 1 clung to a spar for a time, and then lashed myself to >1 with silk Handkerchiefs. After floating for nine hours I was picked up by Gilbert Dobson and Mat Nixon, who had put out in a boat from Muddy Creek in search of survivors. Mi Sturtridge is a typical member ot the hardy Scottish race. His memory is unimpaired by age, though physically he is hont and frail. He has contributed his share to tho pioneering work of New Zealand.