MISHAP TO BARQUE RONA

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 234, 28 June 1921, Page 5

MISHAP TO BARQUE RONA

♦ THE CREW SAFELY TAKEN OFF VESSEL STILL HELD ON ROCKS The crew of the barque Bona, which came to grief in thq heavy south-easterly Rale on Sunday night, were safely taken off at daybreak yesterday, while the searchlights of Fort Dorset were still playing on the ship. The crew, it is stated, consisted of twenty-one members: The captain, the first and second mates, eight A.B.'s, eight apprentices, a cook, and a cabin boy. Quite a number have relatives in Wellington. , The Binnacle Rocks, where the barque struck, are not far from the Seatoun ohore. The Kona could be seen yesterday lying on an even keel, apparently firmly held, though she had a slight rolling motion when the wind blew hardest. Most of her canvas was neatly furled, but the main topsail was in ribbons. Her length was parallel with the shore, and the waves were not breaking over her. The vessel looked very trim and clean, as her appearance had been improved during her recent stay at Newcastle. It was particularly unlucky that she should have struck on this voyage, as it was one of the best she had done. The trip from Newcastle had occupied only eight days. The Crew Come» Ashore. A member of the crew told a Dominion representative that the concussion when the barque struck was slight; in fact, some of those aboard thought at first that the ship had hit the buoy. It was pitch dark at the time of the occurrence, and the Steeple Rock was not visible till the barque was right on it. The searchlight played on the Rona all night, and about 6 a.m. the crew got off leaving almost all their belongings aboard. The starboard boat was launch■ed first. The port boat, which was the larger of the two, had to be carried across the deck for launching, as the intention was to make towards the eastern coast off which the tug Pelican was lying. The port watch went off first in the starboard boat, and the starboard watch, with the captain and second mate, went afterwards in the life-boat. Each man was permitted to take only a small bundle with him. The Pelican picked the crew up without mishap. Neither boat shipped much water, though a high sea was running. When the rescue was complete, however, the starboard boat had its bow badly smashed. In reply to a question whether the Rona was making much water when the crew quitted her. it was stated that there were only three inches in the well. Cause of the Mishap., It is said that the cause of the Rona running ashore was a sudden change in the direction of the wind. So far as can bo gathered, the barque was running with a strong northerly. She reached the harbour entrance, signalled for a tug, and then anchored. Suddenly, and without warning. the wind chopped round to the south, and increased rapidly in strength, until a gale was raging. Almost immediately the barque began to drift, and she lost one of her anchors. Before another could be got out, and the drift stopped, she was on the rocks. Although the Rona had made a fast passage from Newcastle, the weather conditions were bad. Heavy seas and strong winds prevailed, and Captain .Airey had to remain on deck during the greater part of the trip. When he landed yesterday he was completely worn out, and it is said that he almost immediately fell asleep. The tug Pelican stood by the barque Inst night, but there appears to be little hope of salvaging her until the weather moderates. Last night high seas .were running, and the wind was still strong. In addition the moon is in its last phase, and consequently high tide is only 4.4 feet. Latest Report From the Heads. At an early hour this morning the Rona was still firmly ashore. So far as could bo ascertained both the wind and the sea had decreased, but the sea was still considerable. Thus Rona did not appear to be. shifting.