ALL HANDS LOST

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10888, 16 July 1928, Page 5

ALL HANDS LOST

A TOTAL WRECK SCHOONER ON THE ROCKS. Electric Telegrapn—Frees Association AUCKLAND, Last Night. The greatest maritime tragedy on New Zealand coasts since the sinking of the coastal steamer Ripple on August 7th, 1924, occurred at 4.30 o’clock on Saturday afternoon when the auxiliary schooner Isabella de Frame capsized on the Hokianga- Bar with the loss of all hands, a crew of eight. The Isabella de Frame- left OneInmga on Thursday afternoon and when crossing the bar at th© mouth o: the Hokiitngga River on Saturday afternoon was seen to capsize, apparently being overwhelmed by on© of the great rollers, which combined with the formation at the mouth of the river so very often makes nego tiation of the channel hazardous. The little vessel wa,s rolled right over in the heavy seas, and it is believed impossible that any of the crew of eight can have survived. The Isabella de Frame was an auxiliary engined schooner of 110 tons gross. She was owned by A. G. Frunkham Limited, of Auckland, arid was built in 1902 at Camden Haven, New South Wales.

She had been engaged in the New Zealand coastal service for over ten years. The Hokianga Bar is reckoned one of the most dangerous on the northern coasts, tlie channels constantly changing in direction and depth Fourteen years ago the iron barque Joseph Craig became a total loss there through the parting of a towline in a squall, but no lives were lost on that occasion. CREW TRAPPED LIKE RATS. AUCKLAND. Last Night Further particulars of the wreck of the Isabella de Frame were sent tonight by the Herrld-s special reporter, who reached the scene <«? the wreck oil the isolated coast by aeroplane. A moderate south-west breeze was blowing. The Isabelle responding to semaphore messageis hoisted at the signal station swung from a course outside tlie bar and cam® dipping through the main channel. Alone in the forerigging Captain Berridge watched the dangerous channel mouth cutting through the- rough seas. The ketch was within the channel. Suddenly she made for the bar. Tl.e wind caught her canvas and the huge booms swung across. Tlie spray washed the- deck. Strained by th© quick jar the Isabelle listed on her side.

Following the wind came heavy swells catching the vessel ns she lay momentarily on her side. In a flash sho turned completely over, bottom facing skywards. Thrown from the rigging the Captain was caught with the seamen and sucked beneath as the Isabelle lurched and turned turtle.

Trapped like rats in a hole the eight gallant men met. death, while the great green waves battered on the hull for 20 minutes. Helpless tlie derelict drifted then sank. The tide was running almost full in wlic-n she attempted to take the bar. Why she hesitated and did not con:© through is baffling all seamen along the harbour. Ex-masters of vessels say that perhaps it was because the rudder became loose, or because the steering chains broke. That the captain changed his mind is indicated by the statement of tne harbourmaster who described hew trie Isabelle seemed suddenly to sweep bow round after .she had started to dip into the channel. When she was on her back no ructaer was scon. X o trace of the crew was' seen after the vessel turned over and no trace of th© bodies has been seen. But wreckage is already coming a shore. Tlie crew of the Isabelle de Frame was:—

Captain A. Berridge, aged 47. D. Teixeira. mate, aged 53. A. Kendrick, engineer, aged 31 H. Trevarthen, assistant engineer. K. Merritt, cook. F. Liewendhal, A.B. A. Suvanto, A.B. M. Kennedy, O.S Captain Berridge leaves a wife, a •son aged**i2o, a daughter aged 15. and a son aged 7. D. Teixeira leaves a wife, a «on aged IS. and daughters aged 15 and 8. A. Kendrick was married six weeks ago and had just returned to duty from his honeymoon, the two able-bodied seaman have no relatives in New Zealand SCOW WRECKED—CREW SAFE. AUCKLAND. Last Night. The scow Herald owned by Mr A. W. • Bryant while on a voyage from Whangarei to Coromandel ran ashore (Pi Flat Rock. 10 miles outside of Till at 3 a.m. yesterday. The crew scrambled on to the reck and retrained there in wintry conditions until their (signals of distress were sighted by the steamer Tofu;: a few minutes before 2 o)clerk yesterday afternoon. Those on the Herald were Captain E. Sellars, J. Davis (acting mate-, F. Frodig 1.A.8.), and H. Aim sen' (A. 8.).