SHIP SPLIT IN HALVES

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1930, Page 14

SHIP SPLIT IN HALVES

KIA ORA RUNS ON WILD REJEF

RARAWA’S SWIFT RESCUE RUN.

CAPTAIN BLACKBURN DROWNED.

Off the barren coast of Kawhia in June, 1907, the Kia Ora with passengers and cargo from Waitara to Onehunga struck the' wild, menacing Piripoki reef in a dense fog" and split in two. Eight lives Were lost, the ship’s master Captain Blackburn, who had brought the Rarawa out from England, being one of the drowned. The Rarawa, under Captain Norbury, made a fast dash to the rescue from New Plymouth and picked up. the weakest of the survivors off the bare, shelterless coast. The staunch little Kia Ora, the best known trader at the small ports on the West Coast, left Waitara for Kawhia on the night of June 12. The ship ran into drizzling rain and heavy fog but all went well until three o’clock in th© morning, when with a horrible grating crash the Kia Ora was suddenly brought to. The captain was down below, having left instructions to be called at 3.15. All hands rushed on deck and the captain sprang to the bridge. The ship, shrouded in fog, began to bump uneasily. Water flooded in aft. The captain shouted the order “Launch the boats! Women and children first!” There was not the slightest sign of panic, not even a child cried. The port boat was swung out and vvith three women, the stewardess, three children and two seamen aboard, it was lowered on to the water and drifted slowly astern.

The ship began to settle fast, her timbers crushing against the reef .in the rolling sea. Seas broke oyer the men huddled together on the deck. The vessel lurched, shipping a big’sea over the bulwarks, and there was a sharp, cry of pain as a man’s leg ti'as broken. Hastily the starboard boat was launched but it was crushed to . matchwood between the ship and the top of the reef. As the stern^filled the ship began to slip slowly back off the reef, For a moment of time the fog lifted and at last the captain saw the bleak headland of the Turua. <'•

Already some were. in . the water and others rushed forrafd. The captain hung on, by the funnel. For a few minutes. the rocks held a midship. Someone passed the captain a buoy. Then, with a tearing crash the ship parted just forward of the engines and- the stern half sank beneath the waves. Captain Blackburn, crying goodbye to his men, was never seen again. A raft floated off from the wreck and eleven incn struggled towards it. Four others ‘ were picked up by the boat. Just twenty minutes after striking tho reef the last half of the ship canted crookedly over and dived under the Waves. . ■ ' Pickiri" up the survivors, the boat end the raft drifted slowly southwards until dawn. Shortly after nine o’clock they wept ashore. The coast was barren,' cold and deserted. To add to the piiscry a- liglit drizzle fell continuously* Hermetically sealed matches were lit. Huddled round the fires the survivors sheltered themselves behind the overturned boat and the raft, which was raised on its side. The chief mate and the engineer set out overland to carry the news of the disaster many miles to the nearest civilisation. . Meantime the Rarawa had arrived at ‘ the New Plymouth breakwater at 4 a-m. on the morning of the wreck. lie agent for the Northern Steamship Com- . nany, Mr. Webster, met her at the wharf with the news of the tragedy. With Dr. Wylie, Mr. Webster and Captain Hood . (the harbour master on board, the Rarawa put about and s t out full speed for Turua Point. Six miles south of the point the gunwale of a bSt was picked up. The Rarawa steamed up the coast, using the lead all the way, close in shore. At this moment the settlers had arrived and were taking the survivors overland through the bush to shelter when the blare of the Rarawa s fog I’”’ heard. , With glad they hastened to a. sheltered co'e and reached it just as the Kara.™ dipped anchor in the bay. - A he-boat ppt < out under Chief After dangerous passage to thei sli• A an hour’s choppy running the 11 dashed through an opening o water and was hauled up waited Those on the rescue steamy wa.t«l anxiously while the boat UM » launched from the shore. Abou hour later she ran plu^ 1 ? ‘ crashing surf and reached he slop r* fifteen survivors. The inju?«i attended" to and the men ni . fnrfable The remaining 1 12 suu were tended by those on . shore and taken overland to safety.