HER CAPTAIN'S STORY.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 12723, 15 December 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

HER CAPTAIN'S STORY.

[United Press xhSsociation.]

Picton, Nov. 22. Tlie local steamer Elsie arrived at Picton yesterday afternoon with the master and crew of the wrecked barque Hrippolas. ' . Thomas Norris, master of tlie Hippolas, .interviewed, said that the barque was in -ballast. She left Tim- j aru for Havelock on November 17. i Nearing Cape Campbell a north- west i gale hampered pirogress,. and" it took four days, to reach Cloudy Bay. The Hippolas anchored, and .reported te headquarters, and started again an Thursday ; but put back again owing to stress of weather. On Friday she left Cloudy Bay at 8 p.m., and got off the Brothers at 1.30 a.m. on Saifcurday. After passing Cook's Rock tlie master looked anxiously for the guiding beacon, Jackson's Head light. Tho weather was thick, and there was no light. Its absence caused uneasiness. At 2.2sthemanonthelook-oUt cried, "Hard up with the helm!" This was responded to,but tlie barque, did not pay off quickly enough, and she strack heavily on Walker's Rock. The ship was under easy sail at tihe time. The master eaUed all hands on deck, and ordered the boats to be got in readiness. He wont below, and found that the water was making freely at the bow. A course was made for Guard's Bank, and the vessel came to anchor in tenxfathoms of water. There was then six feet of water in the hold. The master burned Hare lights and rocket distress signals from the time of striking till the vessel anchored. The crew were anxious to leave, as the Hippolas had a big list to starboard, and all went ashore a,t Titirangj mo. boats, .and sent word by telegraph . or telephone; but failed to commu- | nicate with anyone. The shipwrecked i drew were not picked up till the following morning. The orew aire being well cared for privately at Picton. The crow are: Master, Norris ; mate, Ashley; second mate, Thorp; cook, E. Cox; A.B's., H. Badham, G. Whitton, Thiniburn, Calvertson, T. Fagan, S. Fletcher, C. McGregor.

Tlie ship's papers, some provisions, and personal effects were taken ashore. . >

It is a coincidence, that the Takapuna, which grazed Walker Rock at 2 o'clock on Thursday morning, should pick up the barque Hippolas, which mot with a similar mishap at two o'clock on Saturday morning.