HELEN B. STERLING

Otago Witness, Issue 3542, 31 January 1922, Page 24

HELEN B. STERLING

PICKED UP BY H.AI.A.S. AIELBOURNE. PASSENGERS AND CREW SAVED. WELLINGTON, January 23. H.M.A.S. Melbourne picked up the Helen B. Sterling. Tjie latest messages show that the cruiser Alelbourno reached the schooner in 31deg south, 168 deg 55min east, at 3.12 a.m. The crew and passengers were taken aboard safely by 4 a.m. “ ‘The following are the names of those from the Helen B. Sterling now on Board H.AI.A.S. Alelbourne, which is proceeding to Auckland. All are well:—-Captain, G. H. Harris; first mate, J. Harris; second mate, J. Francis; wireless operator, R. H. Shaw; apprentice, A. Callaghan: A.B.’s —J. Allan, F. Fans, J. Campbell, S. Yates. G. Hebbots, J. Boarke, F. Ollens; ordinary seaman, A. Newick; cooke —A. Buclougn and C. Buc’ough; cabin boy, J. Benton; Airs G. Id. Harris, Airs J. Harris, Master I<eslie Harris.’ ” THE VESSEL ABANDONED. AUCKLAND, January 24. The following message from RearAdmiral Dumaresq, of H.AI.A.S. Alelbourne, was received by H.AI.S. Chatham this forenoon:—Schooner Helen B. Sterling leaking badly; abandoned at 6 a.m. to-day; position, SOdeg 55min south, 168 deg 50min east, drifting southward at about one knot. She was deep in the water, and was considered by the master and officers as likely to sink in a few hours in the prevailing weather. In calm weather she might float for some time. The ship was upright, with three masts standing. The master and crew, the two wives and one chilcte»re proceeding to Auckland in H.AI.A.S. Melbourne, and are well.”

OWNER’S HEAVY LOSS. VESSEL AND CARGO UNINSURED. SYDNEY, January 24. The owner of the Helen B. Sterling states that she carried as cargo 2500 tons of coal. Neither the vessel nor the cargo was insured. It is estimated that the loss will amount ' > £53,000. Just before her departure the vessel was docked and thoroughly overhauled. The owner regards her loss as unaccountable. The news of the rescue of the crew has relieved widespread gloomy forebodings. DIFFICULTY OF RESCUE WORK. AUCKLAND, January 24. The cruiser Alelbourne arrived here tonight with the passengers and crew of the American schooner Helen B. Sterling. The captain spates that he had fine weather until Saturday, when a heavy south-easterly sprang up, with . a liigh sea. The ship shortened down sail and hove to. At 5 a.m. on Sunday the main mast carried away. Fortunately the wireless was attached to the foremast .and the jigger mast, the other two masts being shorter, and the aerial was not damaged. Heavy seas caused the schooner to leak on the decks and topsides. Stas were constantly breaking oi. board, preventing the crew from working the pumps which were on the main deck. The casualties reported previously consist only of minor cuts and bruises. After pouring oil on the water the cruiser’s outtor was launched, Commander Ward Hunt being in charge with 14 men. When near the schooner .the latter threw a line by which, with a breeches buoy, all were transferred, being dragged through the water 60ft in the darkness and in a raging sea. The task presented the greatest difficulty, and the success is attributed largely to the commander’s skilful judgment.