FATAL SHIPWRECK.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5417, 21 July 1906, Page 3

FATAL SHIPWRECK.

GISBORNE, July 19. The schooner Sir Henry has been wrecked and all hands lost near the East Capo. Mr A. T. Ngata, M.H.R., Port Awauui, telegraphed this afternoon to the Chief Postmaster at Gisborne “It is reported by Maoris who have just crossed the Waiapu river from East Cape that a three-masted schooner was wrecked there on Monday or Tuesday night. Tho name is Star Henry or" Sir Henry. No one was Saved, '('here was supposed to bo five persons on board. Three wore seek on a plank, and were washed off.” The Sir Henry was bound from Auckland to Napier, with hardwood timber. She sheltered in Tologn Bay on Sunday and Monday, and when the* wind came in from the westward on Monday evening, bent out of the bay, taking two hours’ hard battling to do so. The fearful storm made the Tologa people anxious, and they telegraphed as to her safety. Tho Sir Henry is believed to have been commanded by Captain Cliffo. DETAILS OF THE DISASTER.

At 7.30 on the 17th inst., the Sir llcnry was struck by a heavy sou, when about one and a half miles oil the East Cape. It is impossible to say how many men wore seen on the Tuesday morning, and there may still be bodies in the hold of the vessel. A big wave washed three men overboard ; of these two were soon on a plank struggling desperately for life. They got within about a quafter of a mile of the island when a big wave struck the plank and another of the men was washed off. The third man made frantic struggles, but he too, after a great tight for Wo, was wash ed olf. No bodies'have been discovered. The vessel is close in opposite the Cape, sinking in the sand. Mr Hansen, of Tcararoroa, visited the place this morning, and reports that no bodies have been found. The vessel is full of timber, -which may be saved if prompt action is taken and instructions in regard thereto are now being awaited. The vessel is .bottom upwards. An effort will be made tomorrow to see il any bodies arc on board. .

Mr Ngata adds that his_ information is that the vessel w a s going north, m which case she must have been running back. Information as to the whereabouts of the schooner Waiapu and Kato and the scow May (the latter bound from Auckland to Tokomaral is sought. Tim anxiety about vessels that were sheltering is the greater because during the storm the wind at times was very changeable.