DOWN TO THE SEA

Southland Times, Issue 20446, 26 March 1928, Page 8

DOWN TO THE SEA

OLD VESSELS BURIED. ONE SHIP LOATH TO DIE. Suva, March 3 Suva has had no fewer than two executions recently of old well-known seafaring craft. The first was the well-known barque Weathersfield, for a number of years stationed at Suva, and used as a hulk by the Union Company. She was taken out and sunk by Captain Williams. The second sinking was that of the good ship Dawn, about 500 tons, which was owned by the late Captain Allen and used in his Gilbert and Samoa trade. Captain Gosling took her in tow with two launches and all went well until she came abreast of the reef passage, then, as if she dreaded the end, she broke her hawser and drifted, now athwart the passage, now pointed back to the shore. She backed and filled, and at length was hauled unwillingly outside the reef. Here the bottom sheers down almost vertically to 100 fathoms, and the sea cocks were opened, but she would not sink. Captain Gosling went below and at imminent risk of life smashed at the ship’s rusted plates. To his surprise the hammer went through. A great rush of green sea poured in, and he had to make a record break for the deck, which he gained none to soon. The Dawn rose majestically to an even keel, then slowly dipped her nose in the briny, as the stern tilted up, bold and defiant to the end. Then with a plunge the old vessel disappeared from sight.