BOW-FIRST TO BOTTOM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17080, 29 June 1923, Page 1

BOW-FIRST TO BOTTOM.

I TREVESSA POUNDED BY MOUNTAINOUS HEAD SEAS, BOATS CREW SUFFER FROM HEAT .AND THIRST. Bj' Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received June 29, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 28. Captain Foster elves a thrilling account- of the Trevessa’s fight against gigantic seas and high winds before ho was compelled, in the interests of safety, to abandon the vessel. Water was pouring over the bows while the ship steamed into mountainous waves all night long. The pumps wore unable to cope with the water. All the decks were flooded, and much of the forepart of the vessel was damaged by the force of the impact of the *sas. The Trevessa was sinking rapidly by the bows when he ordered the wireless S.O.S. signal to be sent. This was answered quickly by the Runic and two unknown vessels, but he was unable to remain aboard longer. Half an hour afterwards, the boats were prepared, and at one o'clock he also issued lifebelts. When the ship was abandoned, she was floating with her forward bulwark-rail level with the water. He remained in the vicinity as long as possible, but half an hour later the Trevessa plunged bow-first to the bottom. Realising that delay by waiting for possible help would be dangorous, Captain Foster said he made every effort to reach the nearest land. During the early part of the time the hot weather greatly reduced the strength of his men, and many bathed by undressing and hanging over the side cf the boat. Everyone suffered greatly from thirst, and five men, despite warning, drank salt water and were in a low condition when they reached Rodriguez, but rapidly recovered. Mrs Foster, though confined to her bed since the news of the disaster, steadfastly refused to believe that her husband had been lost. She states that this Is his second experience in an open boat. After his vessel was torpedoed during the war, ho wa3 rescued from a raft. Tho rescuing ship also was torpedoed, and Captain Foster was adrift in a boat with thirty-one others for ton days. Somo went mad, and when, eventually, they reached the coast of Spain, only sixteen wero alive. ra.o ruLL story or tt-te voyags to island, as told B’!f CAPTAIN rOSTEJB, APPEARS ON PAG3 7.