WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 1353, 17 June 1907, Page 5

WRECK OF THE KIA ORA.

PASSENGERS' NARRATIVES. THE CAPTAIN'S COOL COURAGE? , ORDERS COFFEE FOR ALL HANDS. (Special to the Herald.) KAWHIA, June 15. The following narratives of ihe wreck of the Kia Ora were given by survivors wlio have reached here: — MR. PRATT. Mr S. Pratt, Kawhia, said: — "I was in bed in the smoking cabin and felt a heavy bump. The ports flew „m- I rushed out on to the deck. I could see the vessel was on some rocks, and about a mile away was the land. There was a shifting fog that enabled one to see it every now and then. The first order I heard was that from the captain, telling the stewards to get coffee for alj h%nds. Ido not know if it was done to keep the people quiet, or if he though^ there was no immediate danger. The stewards came round with" lifebelts, and, as far as I know, everyone had a belt. I went up on the bridge. One board was broken from the bumping of the vessel. The sailors and stewards were trying to get the boat and raft away. De Wolfe, the mate, took charge of one boat. The women and children were put in before it was lowered. There was no sea on — only a swell. The painter had to be cut. Cavfcnagh cut it. Then I jumped from the bows. I could see the vessel was sinking. I went down a good bit, taken down by the suction. When I came to the surface I saw a boat and swam for it. The stewardess held me in. She is a plucky woman\ When she was in the boat, Mr Baggstrom, chief engineer, called for a lifebelt. She took hers off and threw it to him. We were five hours getting ashore. We towed the raft to the breakers. The raft went firsf, and we followed. There was a considerable surf. De Wolfe did not like to take it, but after some time followed the raft." MR. HERDSON". Mr Herdson, Raglan, said: — "I was lying awake in the smoking room, and heard a great crash and the sound of breaking glass all around. I went on deck. I could see the rocks, we were on. 1 1 grabbed the rigging right in front of the saloon door. The vessel was heaving about frightfully. I remained there until lifebelts were distributed. While there, I asked the steward why the boats were not lowered. He told me there was no need. I heard Captain Blacklock's order to, serve coffee to all hands. It was quickly served to those who wanted it. JThen c ordered all the ladies to be brought on deck to where the boat was. I assisted them. They were all very quiet and took it calmly, although they realised the danger. There were only two children. We forced a sort of 'half-circle round the boat. It seemed to take some time to 'get it swung out. We put the women and children in with .two seamen and De Wolfe, and then lowered the boat into the water. The captain sang out, 'Hurry. up, Mr De Wolfe, she's sinking fast I* . I heard Do Wolfe call out to cut the ropes. I got dowif'on to;the tender, and ..sprang out into the water and, struck out for the boat, and got in with some difficulty. We waited for some time looking for anyone floating about. We picked up several, &nd when we heard a voice we went to the sound. I am satisfied there was no one left floating when we left. ..We kept- the boat's head to the wind and floated away. When we got ashore there was a count. I forget the figures. Four of us came away to get help, and Bend back tucker. We did this from Marakopo. Everybody treated us well and gave us food and clothing. We lost everything, and had to walk barefooted. MR. BARRACLOUGH. Mr Barraclough, Hawera, said: — "I was in tho saloon asleep. The first thing I knew I was fired out into the middle of the floor and the vessel was bumping heavily. I ran up on deck as I was, but went back and dressed. I received a lifebelt, and- went and stood by the rail near the saloon door. I watf there with other people waiting orders. I did not know the extent of the trouble. I then helped the women and children up, and carried up some provisions for the boat. After she left I could sc«e that the steamer was sinking; also that the steward and others could not get the raft over the side of the vessel. The raft floated after the vessel sank. I was sucked down by the vessel* and do not recollect what happened until I found" myself . with two- tfthers hanging on to three oars. One of the men, Partridge, a bushman who was going to work for Mr Forbes, had a broken leg. We hailed the boajt and had great difficulty in getting Partridge aboard. We waited about, and went ashore, as Mr Pratt has said." "Wo did not say," added Mr Barraclough, "that Blacklock, and Forbes, and Ross were drowned. - We said they were lost, and did not come ashore with us. We and the people who landed with us think they went down with the vessel." A PASSENGER AT WAITARA. MR W. LASH As has been reported, the Waitara launch Kotahi, belonging to Mr J. Williamson, hailed the Rarawa on Friday, reporting that she had a survivor of the wreck on board. The little boat reached Waitara on Saturday morning. The passenger, Mr W. Lash, of Ha- ■ wera, supplied the following narrative of the wreck to ihe Waitara Mail • — "The first intimation I had of anything wrong was the crash. I had been 1 asleep in the saloon, and the vibration sont us from one side to the other. Tho 1 steward came down and told us not to ' ho alarmed — there was nothing serious Coffee was made for the Indies, and .wo took our time in dressing. Just as we • started to leave the saloon, the wate* i • commenced to come in at the portholes, ' " and we made for the upper deck, whero I the captain was. We saw the stern of the vessel sink sloAvly , and the captain then gave orders for the boats and raft to be manned. Only one boat, in which - ihfs ladies were placed, was got out, ono - lifeboat being stove in when the vessel struck. The male passengers and crew

then gathered in the fore part of the vessel. The raft had been cut adrift, tut did not float. Meanwhile the vessel was rapidly sinking. We ALL HAD LIFE-BELTS, which we obtained from our berths. We stood in the fore part of the vessel for about a quarter of an hour, practically helpless ; then ail of a sudden the vessel slid off the rock and went down stern first. We were all precipitated into the water, and it was every man for himself. 1 saw the steward on the raft, and swam for it myself. I was the second ono to reach it. We started picking up one or two abo.ut, and presently we had eleven on board. We sa-.v nothing of the captain, and our continent consisted of the second mate, the ; chief engineer, the cook, other members of the crew, Messrs Partridge (Eltham), iiairacloiigh, and myself (Hawera). Wo kept in view of the boat with the ladies, iney having a, light to guido U3, and •vith the assistance of oars we presently made our way to them. They gave us a line, and we hung together until daylight. The fog did not clear up till about 7 a.m., and whon it did we made lor the shore. There was a big swell, • and it was a hard task for us on theY rait to hang on. Just before we got; into the breakers the line was cut, and . the waves carried us to shore. We were NUMBED WITH THE COLD, Imving been in wet clothes for five hours. Naturally v.c were very glad 1o i*:ach terra firma, and were also gUd to see the lifeboat ride the waves safely and reach the sandy beach. The place we landed at was in a bay, the wrecked \ostfel lying to the north, and on the, land side were scrub-covered hilU v/ When the boat landed we found it had luore occupants than we tJ»o«ght*J!Eherc ■* vere on board Mr and Mis Cavanagb. ( Kawhia), Mr and Mrs Mackintosh and children (Inglewood), Mrs Cox, Maku, the Maori boy, the stewardess, Chksf Officer de Wolfe, four seamen, two firoracn, and the pantry-boy. There were also two passengers whoso names 1 di*i net know. Th*s, with the 11 on ovr raft, accounts for 31. Some of the party TOTTED UP THE NUMBER, and the steward reckoned there weie six drowned. After discussing the situation for a little while, the engineer and de Wolfe started for assistance. We (that is, myself, Barraclough, and two ethers) decided to follow them. W«3 found a track up the hill-side, and after going part of the distance we picked up the two who had staited befoie us. Wo walked together six miles on a bridle - track. It was very rough, but at IT.l.'| a.m. (on Thursday) we struck Mr Malcolm Sheerer 's place. Wo found him bushfelling, and we coo-eed to him. He came, and whei< we had told our stor/ he offered us ALL THE HOSPITALITY POSSIBLE He sent one of his hands with a note to Marakopo, and from there provisions on packhorses were sent to the survivors on the beach. After having something to eat, four of us went on i > Marakopo. This was seven miles front Mr Shearer's place, and it was a very hard journey. We arrived at the end at 5.30 on Thursday. We got accommodation, and picked up Mr Williamson, who offered us a passage to Waitar a. I was the only one who accepted Hie offer, the others going to Kawhia by road. The Kotahi left Marakopo at 11.30 a.m. on Friday, and at 1 p.m. spoke the Rarawa; We saw the vessel's surfboat leaving for the shore/ and also the bigger vessel, but as we could do nothing we proceeded on our journey. We passed close to the, wreck, but could < ■ ■ . SEE NOTHING OF THE K£A OR A. The sea last night (Friday) was, very rough, and the little Kotahi' did not make the breakwater', whore we went for shelter, until 10.30 p.m. We % left there for Waitara this morning, , and landed at 10.30 a.m. I was very thankful to reach civilisation again." Mr Lash says there was no excitement when the lifeboat was launched. The ladies end children took their places under the direction of the captain. I believe (said Mr Lash) the men in the boat were picked up aftez wards. Mr Cavanagh was picked up floating on a bag of chaff. . There is no doubt had the sea been rough almost all on board would have bean drowned. Mr Partride broke his leg through being thrown out of his bunk. We picked him up i<ith Baggstrom and another hanging en to a pjece of wreckage. The stewardess wrapped her petticoat round tho injured man on reaching the shore. Mr Williamson, of the Kotahi, states that he had word of the disaster on Thursday night, and went down next morning. He hung about the scone of the wreck, but owing to the rough state of the sea was unable to render any assistance to those on the Jbeach. The spot where the vessel struok stands sire Poet ous of high water. It is nevertheless a dangerous place. FATE OF PASSENGERS AND CREW. There is still no authentic account of the fate of the passengers and crew of the wrecked steamer. The steward reckoned there were thirty-five on board. The list shown below gives a total of thirty-four all told. The count af the survivors, according to Mr Lash, 3howed a total of thirty-one. So it appears at least possible that only the three originally reported are missing. These are Captain Blacklock and Messrs M. Forbes and R. Ross (passengers). As nearly as we can ascertain the following list shows the fate of those who sailed on the Kia Ora's last trip : — PASSENGERS. Mrs Mackintosh and two children (Inglewood) — safe. Mrs Cox (Raglan) — safe. , Mrs Cavanagh (Hawera) — safe. Mr Mackintosh (Inglewood) — safe. Mr Cavanagh (Hawera) — safe. Mis-Herdson (Raglan) — safe. Mr S. Pratt (Kawhia) — safe. Mr W. Lash (Haw.era) — safe. Mr Barraclough (Hawera) — safe. Mr M. Forbes (Hawera)— -drowned. Mr Partridge (Eltham) — safe. • Maku (native boy) — safe. Mr R. Ross (Hawera) — missing. SHIP'S COMPANY. Miss A. J. Keller (stewardess) — safe. Captain Blacklock — missing. C. B. de Wolfe (chief officer)— safe. James Robertson (second officer) — safe. E. L. Baggstrom (chief engineer)— safe. H. Lister (second engineer) — doubtful. W. Hodgson (fireman) — safe. W. Dunning (fireman) — safe. W. Symes (fireman) — safe. F. Mastensen (seaman) — safe.

~ " •.______ Thos. Chambers (seaman)— -safe. Anderson (seaman) — doubtful. J. Morris (seaman) — safe. D. Forbes (seaman)— safe. J. A.- Peterson (steward) — safe. W. J. Haynes (assistant steward)-— W. Johnston (cadet steward)—doubtful. "R. Betts (cook)— safe. J. Decalmer (cook's boy) — safe. ANOTHER RESCUE TRIP. The Northern S.S. Co.'s steamer Mwritai was under 'instructions to leave Wariganui last night to pick up the remainder of the survivors of the wretek who are at Tirua point, and to carry them pn to Onehunga. As the weather has been fine it is presumed that the vessel is carrying out her mission. i ANOTHER MESSAGE. A message received by the local office 6f the ' Northern Coy. this afternoon from the head office at Auckland states that the launch Rothesay (trading between Marakopo and Kawhia, landed all the survivors of the wreck jat K&whia yesterday (Sunday) after a very successful trip. THE MURITAI RESCUES REMAINING SURVIVORS. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND^ 17. / The Northern Company has received information that the Muritai rescued the remaining survivors of the Kia Ora. After landing her passengers at Kawhia the .Muritai proceeds .to Onehunga with the rest of the Kia Ora's crew, arriving there to-night. JOTTINGS. While the mate's boat from the wreck was waiting to land, the survivors sang "Home, Sweet Home" and other songs, the stewardess, Miss Kellar, inspiring confidence by asking them to sing. When she landed on the beach she broke down completely. There will be difficulty in getting the survivors of the wreck to Kawhia. The track is bad, and a high hill must be crossed. Some have walked as far as Marakopo. They are in a dilapidated condition with hardly any clothes. A Kawhia message states that flags are flying half-mast and business is practically suspended. No bodies have ■been recovered; The Hawera Star writes that Maku was a native boy, belonging to Normanby, about 11 years of age. His people are greatly distressed. It appears that Maku went away with Mr Forbes without the consent of ? his guardians. At St. Mary's Church on Sunday evening, the Rev. J. B. Brocklehurst made feeling reference to the Kia Ora disaster.