LOSS OF THE TETEKO.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2028, 14 August 1920, Page 21 (Supplement)

LOSS OF THE TETEKO.

VESSEL A COMPLETE WRECK. rress Axsricirition. AUCKLAND. August 13. The steamer Daphne, which arrived from Mercury May early this morning, brought with her the crew of the scow Tetcko, which vas wrecked on Slipper Island, near Mercury Bay, on the night of Friday last. With lier also returned Captain Hammond, of the Northern Company, who has been to Mercury Kay to examine the wreck and report on the possibility of salvage. It seems that the scow, which was on her way from Whakatane to Auckland, ran into exceptionally heavy weather on Friday night, ihe wind was nigh, and it was imfiossible to see where the vessel was going. u these circumstances the vessel ran on the south-east corner of Slipper Island, and began to bleak up almost at once. It was Impossible to launch a boat, and the crew took to the rigging. Later, when the breaking up continued, two of the engineers and a deck hand swam ashore, but Captain E. Sellers, who was in charge of the vessel, and the remainder of the crew remained in the rigging all night. In the meantime the three men who had been able to land had g.aie to the homestead "t" Mr Leighton, who Jives on the island. Willi his help they were able to rescue the other members of the crew In the morning, when the tide was low. the disappearance of (lohhic remains a mystery. He apparently climbed into the rigging with the other members of the crew, and no one remembers seeing him leave it. The three, who swam ashore thought that lie remained with the others, while the captain thought that he had gone with them. II is possible that he made, an attempt and was unable to reach safety. He nuiv have been struck by a piece of wreck.,;;e and rendered insensible. A search ' was made vesteulav for his body in the Viciuitv of the wreck, but b> no avail. Captain Hammond reports that he went over to the island yesterday to view the wreck, and found the vessel completely broken up. "Wreckage is .strewn along the beach for five mlies," be said this morning. "It may be possible for us to salvage one of the engines, the which, and the anchors, but they are in a very diflicult position. The port engine is under water, while the starboard engine is not yet located. Attempts to sa'vage the machinery will b.- made by launch and punt when the weather moderates." The mails that the vessel carried were lost, but some cargo, principally tinned dripping, casks, and personal ell'eets were washed up about the shores of the island, oik! have been brought up to Auckland by the Daphne.