THE DISMASTED VESSEL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9547, 30 September 1902, Page 3

THE DISMASTED VESSEL

CRUISE OF THE BEATRICE,

The steam trawler Beatrice returned to port at 3.30. She left the river at 9.30, and after clearing the bay headed towards the Ariels. When off Tuahini Point a sail was sighted on the port bow, to the southward and outside of the Ariels. It was very misty, and there was a heavy swell. The Beatrice made good pace, slipping along at the rate of about eight knots. At noon the vessel was within, four miles distance, and could be plainly seen to be a ship in, distress, having lost her main and mizzen masts. On her foremast she had the following sails set: Foresail, lower and upper topsail, and fore-staysail. The fore royalmast. was gone, and from the top of the broken mast was flapping what was either a piece of broken sail or a signal of distress. As the Beatrice drew nearer a man could be seen standing at the wheel. The ship was standing on the starboard tack towards Maliia, and was about 25 miles distant from Gisborne, As the Beatrice approached .the wind freshened, and the ship's head slewed round to the southward. Signals were made to arrest her attention by blowing the whistle, bu'fc no attempt was made by the ship's company to lower sail or to respond to the signals. The disabled ship was an iron vessel of about 1800 tons, painted black, but rusty, with while poop and deckhouse-. She was heavily loaded. The davits were- seen, but no boats, and there was no sign of the stumps of the broken masts. The ship was running to the south-west before the wind at about 8 knots, and the Beatrice after a good spin found herself unable to keep up with her. The course she is shaping should 'take her about 10 miles off Portland Island to-night. There was a heavy sea outside, and she was rolling heavily.

At 12.20 the trawler gave up the chase and returned to port. When the Beatrice turned back only the tops of the hills on the distant coast were visible, and the position was midway between Turehau and Mahia. The owners of the Beatrice considered that their boat was well able to have taken the ship in tow. The dredge John Tbwnley was got in readiness to proceed to the unknown vessel's assistance soon after the Beatrice's departure. A bag of potatoes, meat, and other provisions were taken on. board, including a supply of fresh water in view of the vessel having run short. At 12.30 the dredge left the wharf with Captain Fisher in charge. The Harbormaster (Captain Cumming), Captain Chrisp (Lloyd's' agent), and press representatives were also on board. A course was steered for the Ariel Reefs, where the vessel was: last reported to have been seen from Turehau. A strong northerly wind was blowing towards the coast, which should have brought 'the vessel into the bay, presuming she was making for there. The fishing boat Seagull was passed when off Tuahini, and shortly afterwards the Beatrice was descried about three miles to the southward, or eight miles out. It was decided to speak the Beatrice, and ■the dredge's course was altered accordingly. The Beatrice was making into port again, but although Captain Gumming endeavored to speak her she passed out of range of the dredger. Under the circumstances the dredge had no course but to follow the Beatrice into the bay. The Beatrice having stopped to pick-up a. fishing boat, the information as to the ship?s position was ascertained, and was passed on to the Fanny, which also returned to port.' The steamers Omapere and Te Anau are coming up from Napier to-night, and the Fanny going South from here, so thait the vessel should stand a good chance of being picked up if she requires assistance. We tha.uk tne Beatrice, owners for granting our representative a, passage.