WRECK IN THE PACIFIC

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 201, 4 May 1912, Page 5

WRECK IN THE PACIFIC

LOSS OF AN AMERICAN SCHOONER. '. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The Talune, which arrived at Auckland to-day from the Islands, brought .' ? news of the wreck of the American threemasted schooner <J, W. Watson, on a reef at Raiatea (Society group), on ' April 5. The schooner had completed discharging her cargo of lumber from Pugct Sound, and was proceeding to sea under charge of a pilot, when she struck . ■ a reef in the channel. She remained hard and fast for several hours, but ■■ eventually floated off and proceeded on V her voyage to San Francisco. The vessel '',, had barely cleared the island when it ■. was discovered that she was fast making •'"' water. The pumps were manned, and; -- an endeavor was made to keep the water under. After manoeuvring about for t some time the captain decided to return, ' to Raiatea, and the vessel was headed for the north-west passage. It was while i attempting to negotiate this passage , that she came k> her. end. By this time ' '' the water had gained considerably, and on the wells being again sounded it wa» ; found that lift of -water was in her holds. The ship became unmanageable, and she struck the reef about seven miles before reaching the passage. She then settled on the reef and soon became a total wreck. When the Talune passed the spot on April 18 onlv the fore part ■; of the vessel waa visible. The wreck was subsequently purchased by the natives for a small sum. The captain, hU '■ wife and the crew, numbering seven, .' were successful in reaching the shore. : They proceeded by the Talune to Kara- ,-■ tonga, where thev joined the mail steam* f er Aorangi for San Francisco.