THE WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8840, 17 June 1907, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

* Arrival of Three Survivors. Per Press Association. - Auckland, June 15. A telegram from Ifawhia at 12.15 noon states that three survivors—Pratt, Barradough and Henderson, have just arrived there in sorry plight. With the exception of these and nine men taken aboard the Rarawa, the survivors are still on the beach. A Passenger’s Statement. Hew Plymouth, JunolG. One of the Kia Ora’s passengers, W. Lash, arrived at Waitara on Saturday by the launch Kotabi from Marokopa. In his account of the disaster he states that on the vessel striking, coffee was immediately ordered and served to the women and children. He states that there were eleven aboard the raft and twenty in the

boat. This accounts - for three more saved than the rescued members of the ship’s company accounted for, and would reduce the loss of life (o five at the most.

One passenger, Kavanagh, was picked up floating on a bale of chaff two hours after the wreck.

Partridge was the passenger whoso log was broken and he was picked up in the water, his leg being temporarily set by engineer Baggstroom, who was also considerably bur.t A Brave Stewardess. The survivors on the boat sang “ Home, Sweet Home ” and other songs, the stewardess, Miss Kollar, inspiring confidence and leading them. Her conduct is highly spoken of. She collapsed on reaching shore. A late telegram from Kawhia anticipates difficulty in bringing the survivors there owing to the almost impassable tracks. No bodies have been recovered. A Seaman's AccountAuckland, Juno IG. Thomas Chambers, an A.B. on the Kia Ora, said when interviewed:—“When the crash came all rushed on dock, got the boats ready, and swung them out. The two boats were swung out and the women and children put into one and got away safely. While we were getting one boat away the other went about and got smashed. The poop deck was submerged first and the captain’s bridge went under. Two others and myself, the captain included, were getting off the top of the bridge when a sea caught us and carried us away. I was thrown on to the side and the captain into the middle of the bridge, then I was carried right away and partly sucked down by the water. I got hold of an oar. I did not see any more of the captain. He further stated that ho was one of those who got on the raft. There was no great excitement nor panic. The forbearance of all right through, especially the women, he says, was most noteworthy. One of the party was an old lady, Mrs Cox, of Raglan. Chambers says 27 wore saved, but ha could not tell the names.

Similar statements were made by other members o£ the crew.

Mr C. Eanson, manager for the Northern Company, says the others will be got off without delay. The engagement of the craw terminates with the loss of the vessel, but the Company will be responsible for any of the crew who may need to go to hospital. Bates.

No further particulars are available regarding the loss of Iffe at the Kia Ora wreck. The Shipping Office only accounts for 32 passengers and crew having left Waitara, so that if this is correct five have been lost. Most likely, however, some went aboard without booking, and already one survivor has turned np at Kawhia whose name does not appear on the passenger list and it may be that the second steward’s estimate of 35 aboard is a correct one. It is not known if any additional have made shore but the boat and raft Lave turned up. Magnus Forbes, who was drowned ■while swimming to the boat, was a wellknown farmer who had also ft large holding in Kawhia district. As offering an explanation of the Kia Ora being closer in shore than she ought to have been, it is suggested that there is a stronger sot towards shore than there used to be. This has been noticed lately by Captain Norbury and Captain Hood. The latter also points out that contrary to the old theory that the current on this coast sets northwards only, tho wreckage from the Kia Ora yet found has been picked up several miles southwards.