PREPARATIONS FOR RELIEF.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16749, 2 June 1922, Page 7

PREPARATIONS FOR RELIEF.

RESCUE PARTIES ORGANISED.

(Pam Pmxaa Association.)

AUCKLAND. June 1

The Dundula had raced to the rescue but was advised that the Arahura and Katoa. were standing by and oould do nothing, therefore she came to Auckland. Her officers state that the weather was very thick and visibility low when the vessel passed Cape Brett at 9 p.m. on Wednesday. The light was not visible although only eight miles diatant. After passing the Cape the light was picked up- The lights at Moko Hinau and the Hen and Chickens were not picked up until within six miles. The weather cleared shortly after but the wind abated little. The Moeraki took an officer and sixteen men from H.M.S. Philomel, who with two rocket apparatus were landed at Tryphena, about 5.30 p.m. Captain Stott, marine superintendent of the Union Company, who went with the tug this morning, telegraphing from Great Barrier states: “ Nothing can be done until the morning.” Nothing is known here about the crew except Captain Hayward and the chief officer, Mr Goddard, formerly chief of the Piako. Of the 4000 tons of cargo 1000 tons are for Auckland, consisting of galvanised iron, tinplate, basic slag and a locomotive for the Government and general. The only manifests at present are from Bristol and part from Glasgow APPEARANCE OF THE WRECK. A “Herald” reporter on the tug states that when the vessel passed Cape Colville at 9.30 a.m. mountainous waves and driving fierce squalls were encountered. She reached the Wiltshire at noon, and despite the danger stood close in. The Wiltshire struck bow on about a length from the cliff, along which foaming breakers dash. The forepart of the Wiltshire evidently is

stuck hard with a list £t> starboard and her back is broken clean in two, the after part from just aft the bridge swinging with the wash of the seas and at an angle from the rest. Several men were clustered on the forecastle head and look-out bridge and more below it. No signals were made by the wreck. Two lifeboats were visible in the davits on the starboard side and a third had been smashed against the sides when being lowered. The ctcr-n of the vessel was under water.

As there was no possibility of giving assistance and the forepart of the vessel evidently was secure tfie tug proceeded to Tryphena to organise rescue parties. The Katoa missed the wreck in the storm but the Arahura. with 100 passengers aboard, stood by the wreck, tossed in the huge seas a quarter of a mile from the bleak coast where the Wiltshire is ashoreThe wreck’s wireless broke down through the flooding of the engine room and the masts cari-ying away. The Arahura read the semaphore and flags and transmitted messages by wireless. *

The Katoa landed five men who went overland five miles to the wreck with ropes, hurricane lamps, bandages, food and rockets.

The Arahura left for Gisborne at 2 p.m. Then a second party landed from the Katoa. The tug left at 5 p.m. and met the Moeraki, taking the naval men and apparatus aboard. All the medical gear, lines, etc., will be prepared to-night, ready to proceed overland at daylight to rescue the crew. Tt is expected that those rescued will return by the Katoa tomorrow. LINE THE ONLY HOPE. The latest news from the Wiltshire b ays that the Awhina got within 200 yards of the wreck, but the sea was too heavy to effect a rescue. A party , landed from the Katoa were seen ashore endeavouring to get a line to the wreck. This is the only 7 hope of saving lives. AEROPLANE USELESS. A HEARTRENDING SCENE. (Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, June i. The secretary of the Post Office lias received a further message «bout the W iltshire : —*■ “ It has been considered useless for s». seaplane to attempt assistance. The Moeraki left at 1 p.m- for the scene with rocket apparatus for assistance. Cries can be heard by the watchers on the high cliffs above the vessel. Eyewitnesses say 7 the scene is a fearfully heart-rending one. A man attempted to swim ashore with a line, but enormous seas are running and the attempt, was abandoned.” A message sent at 3.40 p.m. states : Wiltshire total wreck. Crew still on the fore part. Sea very rough. It is hoped to get rocket apparatus overland by to-morrow morning- The Katoa’s party now is on shore opposite the wreck. ROCKET APPARATUS. The Wellington Harbour Board’s special rocket apparatus was sent to Auckland this afternoon by special train, which will arrive at Auckland on the heels of the express to-morrow morning. THE INSURANCES. WELLINGTON. June 1. The Wellington agents of the Wiltshire state lira‘ tho master is Captain B, G. Hayward. The rest of the personnel ia unknown, but the total is believed) to be 109. No information regarding insurances is available. Those on the cargo were arranged chiefly in England, and it maybe Mime time before amounts are known. Probably every marine insurance company in New Zealand will l>e affected. It is understood that the Wiltshire carried 460 postal packages, but their composition is unknown. THE CHIEF OFFICER. Mr Harold Harris. R.N.R.. chief officer of the Wiltshire, is an English officer who recently took his master’s certificate. Ho came to New Zealand in the Westmoreland as second officer. He was later chief officer on the Remuera, but later transferred to the Shire line, and this was his second trip out on the Wiltshire. Mr Harris was a prisoner of war in Germany for some time during the war. while nerving as lieutenant at Antwerp. His wife, who is at present in England, was Miss V. Dodds, of Port Chalmers, a niece of Mr J. S. Dodds, of Ak a roo . ____