WRECK OF THE WHAKAPAI.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 1 October 1901, Page 3

WRECK OF THE WHAKAPAI.

(pee press association.)

Gilborne, This Day,

A message from Tokomaru states that the following were the crew of the Whakapai:—Ghas Bonner (master), Chas Bertie (sometimes called Findlay), a Scotchman (mate), who answered the description of the man saved, Barney (a Scandinavian sailor), Harry the cook (a German), and Thos Doulle (a blacksmith belonging to Hawke’s Bay.) The native who brought the news of the Whakapai wreck to Awanui states that there was a heavy sea and strong current running between the island and the main, land, the distance across being about three miles. It was apparent that something was wrong with the vessel, but no assistance could bo rendered from shore. Suddenly, says the native the vessel turned completely over, and then five men were seen to be clinging to the vessell. The natives were nearly distracted, running about and shouting out and very keenly feeling their helplessness, A big wave came on, and one poor fellow, after a hard fight, was swept off and engulphed in the waves, and seen no more. Teen one by one the other men were swept from the wreck, and when the five had disappeared it was thought they all had met a watery grave; but close watching descried a dark object (which was then seen to be a man) clinging to something in the rough water. The current and his own efforts carried I him shorewatds, but he seemed done for. I Then a native named Kohere swam oac and reached the drowning man and helped him inwards. As he ' got closer other natives assisted, and the man was rescued, in an exhausted condition. The name of the survivor was not asked, but from the description it is almost certain to be James Bertie, the mate of the scow.

Constable Kelly gave instructions for the survivor to come to the Awanui telephone station, but he is not likely to arrive to night, as the swollen rivers make a journey of 24 miles necessary instead of 10 miles.