LOSS OF THE BARQUE FRANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3566, 18 July 1922, Page 27

LOSS OF THE BARQUE FRANCE.

. WELLINGTON, July 12. lhe following wireless message has been received by the Secretary of the General J: ost and Telegraph Department:—“9/46 p.m S.O.S. from France. Position: Latitude 21.28, longitude 165.03. The Canadian transporter was proceeding to her aid, and should arrive at noon on Thursday. Other snips have the position.” Another message winch has been intercepted reads: “Sailing snip France. Position: Norcl boulari,” followed by “Sur recif contrariety position, latitude 21.28 S., longitude 165.03 E.” Austrahan stations are dealing with the matter, and the Canadian Transporter, 220 miles south-west of the France, is going to her assistance. The position given is westward of the Cook Islands, [The France is a five-masted steel barque of 5633 tons, huilt in France, and owned by the Cie Francaise de Marine et de Commerce.] , . SYDNEY, July 13 Further wireless messages have been received by the Sydney and Brisbane stations from the barque France stating that the crew are praying far daylight. Big seas are breaking on the reef, damaging- the ship. Iwo of the masts have been carried away, and the lives of the members of the crewworking on deck are endangered'. Tile messages concluded : “All aboard spent a night of hell.” Lator messages received at Brisbane stated that the crew had taken to the boats owing to the danger from the falling masts and rigging, and that the Franee will probably be a total wreck. It is believed that the crew have reached the shore safely. r AiVELLINGTON, July 12. Two further wireless messages have been received by the Secretary of the General Post and Telegraph Department regarding the ship France. One. at 8.3 a.m., states: “Further S.O.S. from the sailing ship France (4-.4 a.in.): ‘France has reported that the weather is clear, and the wind coming from the south, and light; sea rough on the reef. Will land crew at daylight to avoid danger of men being wounded by falling- off the masts or vards.’ “At _ 4.57 a.m the France advised the Canadian Transporter that it was considered that assistance, was unnecessary and the crew would endeavour to tend at daylight.” July 13. The secretary to the Post and Telegraph Office reports that Noumea rodio advised at 9.36 p.m. as follows: “All (he staff and the sailors of the France have been saved.”