WRECK AT THE BLUFF.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1859, 19 September 1913, Page 8

WRECK AT THE BLUFF.

AFTER SEVERE VOYAGE,

FOREIGN BARQUE ON ROCKS.

THE CREW SAFE

(By Tolcsraoh-Press Association.)

Invercargill, September 18.

The customary quietness of the Bluff was disturbed about midday to-day, when it became known that a strange ship had struck the rocks near Stirling Point, about a mile and a half distant from tho wharf. The first reliable information that came to hand indicated that tho vessel was the Norwegian barque Okta, bound from Port Huon, Tasmania, to .Falmouth, England, with a, cargo of sawn timber. Trying Voyage from Huon. The Okta left the Tasmanian port on September 6, to make her way by tho customary trade course round Cape Horn. The barque was not more than twenty-four hours out when it was discovered that a, leak had been sprung. It was then decided to make for New Zealand. The pumps wero set to work, and the men, in face of heavy seas, stuck to tho task of keeping tho water clear. They endured great hardships. The seas washed the barque from stern to stem, but the pumps were kept going Tor thirteen days.

Unfortunate Termination. Early yesterday morning the Now Zealand coast was pickcd up, arid, at nine o'clock, a pilot was signalled. Hugging tho land closely, the Okta came round the point leading into the channel entrance, but, at twenty minutes to twelve, she struck a jutting portion of rock about throe hundred yards from - Stirling Point, and at a distance of about a hundred and fifty from tho shore.

An endeavour was made to Bteer cloar, but it was too late, and, going at a speed of about eight miles an hour, she went on to the rock. She quickly settled down by the stern, and made

water fast. The captain realised that tho end had come, and all aboard made what preparations wore then possible to get clear. .

From Stirling Point station word was communicated to tho Bluff, and the Hanbour Board's tug went out to the scene and brought tho captain and crew up to tho wharf. By three o'clock the Okta's deck was awash. Definrito information as to her fate cannot, however, bo v given until an examination is made at low water.

Pelham Rock. The rock on which the Okta stnick has been the scene of three previous disasters in the history of the port. These range baolt over a period of nearly 'half a century, and include the steamer Scotia, the Maid of, Otago, and tho Pelhain, all of which were wreoked in this;, locality. Tho rock has been designated "I'olham Rock." It has been freely admitted by members of the Okta's crow that the absence of a chart dealing with conditions pertaining to tho looal port placed them at a disadvantage in navigating waters surrounding the channel entrance. By the possession of a chart the lio of tho buoys and harbour marks could have been clearly followed. The failure of tho port authorities to pick up the Okta's signal for a pilot has been explained by tho fact that a heavy haze obscured all vision from tho signal station on Bluff Hill. An official inquiry into the circumstances surrounding tho wreck will be held 1 . Intense Suffering.

Further particulars of tho trying voyage from Huon indicate that tho crew kept the ship free of water after arduous tasks, but'their sufferings were intenso. They stood to tho pumps with tho seas breaking over tho' harque. Frequently the men were washed about vt-lio deck, and one member of the crew had his knee dislocated. Even tho forecastle, wherein the crew lived, was swampedl with water. By their tasks at the pumps the men : kept tho water down in. the hold, however. At every watch thero was from nine to fourteen inches. On Tuesday afternoon the captain called all hands on the quarterdeck, and asked what 'should be done. The men decided that tho ship was to bo taken to tho nearest port for which tho wind couldi favour them. Tho wind kept increasing from the south-west, with rains ajid heavy squalls, and tho captain, with tho crew, decided to keep tiio barque running with the sea northeast for Wellington, but, before they could get her off, tho ship took three or four great 6eas, and all on board thought that she was sinking. Eventually -she straightened up, and a northeast by north courso was set for Cape Farewell in tho endeavour to reach Wellington. Tho wind kept favourable during Thursday and Friday, and the weather was fine. Tho wind then kept drawing from tho south-west to the north-west and northerly, and eventually increased to a gale. On Friday morning last tho ship was put on tho starboard tack, and, on this, tack, sho was kept over Saturday, Sunday, and Monday last. The wind was continually increasing to a heavy gale from nor-nor-east, and it was tlius almost impossible to keep tho shiji on the starboard tack. Under Lower Topsails Only.-

At noon on Monday the ship was put on the port tack, but she took heavy seas aboard, and it was feared that she would founder. Tho captain came to the wheelman, and asked what should, be done, and he decided to run under bare poles, but the captain thought that it would bo better to keep lower topsails on and run the ship . under this. This was done, and the ship went east-by-south half-south right on the wind. The ship was now running very nicely, but taking a lot of water, on board, and tho crew in tho forecastle suffered a lot. An east-by-north course was taken up to Wednesday morning at four o'clock, with seas smooth.

Sighting the Land. At twenty minutes to six o'clock, after the haze had lifted, thd mainland was sighted at South-west Point. Sail was sot again, but the ship was still taking some very heavy seas, on board. She ivas kept going till about noon, when a dead calm was experienced last night, when the shin was in Foveaux Straits, close to the Solanders. The ship was in> that position till 4.20 yesterday morning, when the wind came from south-south-west, and a course was taken along the land till Centre Island lighthouse was seen about nino' o'clock yesterday morning. An east by north course was steered until the ship came right alongside South-west Point. Tho ship was then steered straight for Dog Island, and, when abreast of it, the course was altered for Stirling Point. This was at ton o'clock. Tho man at the wheel kept the course at tho command of the captain till the ship struck at twenty minutes to twelve.