An Unlucky Schooner.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 42, 24 May 1907, Page 5

An Unlucky Schooner.

TELEGRAPHIC.

STRANDING OF THE EMMA SIMS. Wellington, May 20. _ The vessel ashore at Mana Island is believed to be the Emma Sims, bound from Havelock to Lyttelton, with a cargo of timber. Later. Captain Bollons, of the Hinemoa, states that the wrecked schooner Emma Sims is in a hopeless position, The Captain and crew of the schooner were taken on board the Hinemoa without difficulty, although a heavy sea was running. None of the crew suffered any ill-effects from their rough experience, though Captain McDonald is suffering from ague—the recurrence of an old complaint. The vessel was bound from Havelock to Lyttelton with timber. The crew lost the whole of their effects. It appears that during the gale on Saturday the Emma Sims sought shelter under Mana Island, but after lying there for a time the anchor parted, and she drifted broadside on to (he rocks. Captain McDonald and the crew of four got ashore with difficulty. The Government steamer Hinemoa, which was sent out last night, brought the Captain and crew to Wellington this afternoon. The stranded vessel is said, to be full of water, Wellington, May 22. The vessel which went ashore at Mana Island during the recent heavy southerly gale proves to the smart little schooner Emma Sims, of 61 tons register, owned by Mr E. G, Pilcher, of Wellington. The schooner was bound from Brooklyn Bay (Pelorus Sound) to Lyttelton, with a cargo of timber consigned to Messrs Reese and Budd, of Christchurch. She was under command of Captain McDonald, and her complement of sailors was four, The Emma Sims cleared the Sounds onSaturday, nth, and got up to Cape Campbell on Saturday evening at 5.40; then the boat commenced to fall in with stormy weather. Eventually the Captain put into Worser Bay for shelter, and left on the 16th May, at 8.30 p.m., with a six-knot breeze. Once outside, however, the vessel was a plaything of the fierce southerly. The wind varied eight points between south-west and south-east, and its moods were most malicious. The Captain finally tried to take shelter under Cape Terawhiti. All he could do was to reach Mana Island, and just managed to get inside the south-eastern rock, He was forced to anchor five and a half cable-lengths out or go ashore. He let go both anchors, with forty-five fathoms on the starboard side and fifteen on the port; but the lines apparently failed to hold the vessel off the rocks. At 1.30 on Saturday morning the schooner struck, swinging broadside on to the rocks, Signals of distress were hoisted, but nothing could be done from the shore owing to the high seas running, and assistance was asked from Wellington. The Hinemoa was despatched by the Marine Department, and she returned to Wellington with the members of the crew, all of whom had reached the island safely. The Emma Sims is not insured, and it is believed that she will become a total wreck. The owner and a salvage party leave for the scene of the wreck to-morrow morning, to endeavour to save as much as possible. Whether the cargo is insured is not known here. The Captain of the Emma Sims had the trying experience of seeing his snug little vessel getting into the jaws of the rocks while there were engines aboard to save her. Pie lays some blame on the Government regulations for the present plight of the Emma Sims. As an auxiliary oil-engine is installed, the vessel is required to carry a certificated mate if it is desired to supplement the sails with mechanical power. The Master was detained in Wellington for ten days trying to get a certificated man, but none would come for the salary of £l2 a month, One man did appear, but vanished when he heard the vessel was mainly worked by sail. Before the vessel left port that time a Government officer sealed down the works, and later on the Captain shipped the idle propeller, for it was only serving the purpose of catching weeds. This regulation and a belief that the starboard cable snapped are held responsible by the Master for the striking of the vessel. The Master gives all possible praise to his men. He says that they behaved splendidly throughout the trying voyage, and in the final crisis. Better men, he declares, never set foot on a vessel. The life-boat of the Emma Sims was stove in by th - ' great rollers. If there had been twenty boats they would have all been crushed, the Master said, The Emma Sims is a wooden schooner, and carries an oil-engine. She is 61 tons register, and her principal dimensions are— Length 77,2 ft, beam 20.7 ft, depth 6.3 ft, She was built at Brisbane Water, New South Wales, in 1895, and is at present owned by Mr E. G. Pilcher, who purchased her after his scow Oban was wrecked coming up the Wellington Harbour entrance about eighteen months ago,