Particulars of the Schooner and Hor Crew.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11921, 18 July 1906, Page 7

Particulars of the Schooner and Hor Crew.

AUCKLAND, July 17. The Aotea, which was an auxiliary oil schooner of 89 tons net register, was built at Whangaroa twelve years ago, and has been employed in the coastal trade since that time. Her cargo on her present trip consisted of 32,000 feet of timber and it large quantity of general merchandise. She is owned by several residents of the Auckland district, Captain Skinner (master of the schooner Kaeo) being the managing owner. She is valued at about .£2OOO, and the only insurance is £600 in the Alliance. Of the nine members of the ship's company, no fewer than seven, ldncluding the captain and mate, were making their first trip in tlie vessel. The engineer, who is making his second trip, and Cole, an ordinary seaman, -were tho only ones who had been on the uhip for any length of lime.

GISBORNE, July 17. It is reported that Mrs Ben Hird was a passenger from Tuparoa to Gisborne by the Aotea.

The mate of the Aotea, Mr E. Hargrove*, is a brother-in-law of Mr W. E. Goffe, of the Native Land Court, who is at present in Wanganui. The deceased was formerly mate of the Himitangi and occupied the same position on the Omapere, and was in the first mentioned steamer on her maiden trip to Wanganui about four years ago. He held a captain's certificate, and was about to take command of a vessel at Auckland, and took his first and unfortunately h:s last voyage in the Aotea probably with a view of filling in his spare time. He was a tall man, over 6ft in height, and a very powerful swimmer, and threw tim«w pre-viowaly bad l*een wrecked. It ia probable', however, that he had no opportunity of putting his swimming pow«ra to the test on the Aotea. His sister (Mre Goffe) leit Gisborne on Saturday iv the Zealandia for Auckland, not knowing that her brother had shipped on the Aotea, and it is more than likely that the Zealahdia was in the vicinity of the Aotea on the eventful night.