THE SCOW SURPRISE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 2774, 24 July 1907, Page 5

THE SCOW SURPRISE.

Electric Telegraph—Press Association. Gisborne, July 24. The scow surprise was owned by Robb Brothers, of Gisborne, and was recently purchased by them for the Gisborne-Whangarei coal trade. She had just completed her first trip. She was insured for £650 in the New Zealand office. Tlie loss is estimated at £4OO above that amount. FOUR MEN DROWNED. A SOLITARY SURYIVOR. Auckland, July 23. A telegram from Tairua states that a messenger from Oliui lias just ridden over and reported that the scow Surprise (‘9 tons) went ashore on tlie rocks about a mile from the north end of Oilui beach, and is a total wreck.

The captain, mate and two seamen are supposed to he drowned. A fifth hand—Harry AY .Jackson, of Norfolk Island- got ashore and found his way to Oliui, where he is being looked alter by Mr James AlcGregor. He is badly knocked about ! and rambles a little in his talk, but is expected to he well in a day or two. From what can be gathered from the imperfect account of the disaster given by Jackson, the scow dragged her anchors right from Slipper Island, and went ashore on the coast early on Sunday morning. On June 28t!i the c ew cf the Surprise comprised the following:—J. Jalliere, master; A. Stewart, 19 years; E. Johansen, 19 years; AN. Kelly, li years ; H. W. Jackson, 20 years. Captain Jalliere was taken on in place of Captain R. AY. Cliffe, who was sick, when the vessel was in Auckland last. Johansen and Kelly signed on when the vessel was here last moth, and the above list comprised the crew at the time she left this port. (Oliui is situated seven miles from Tairua river, on the east coast, and a hundred and seven miles from Auckland. Slipper Island, so called from ' its shape, is two miles from the main- ! lain. Vessels can ride out a northi caster bv anchoring westward of the j south end of Slipper Island, and there i is shelter from a south-easter in a bay i further north. No doubt the unfortu- ! nato scow had taken refuge under this island during the heavy gales which ! raged on Saturday and Sunday.