ANOTHER WRECK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1813, 20 July 1906, Page 2

ANOTHER WRECK.

DISASTER AT THE EAST CAPE. THE SIR HENRY CAPSIZED. FOUR LIVES LOST.

Another shipping disaster was reported from the East Coast yesterday, the ketch or schooner Sir Henry being wrecked and four lives lost.

By a strange irony of fate two schooners loit Auckland in command of two experienced commanders whose faces were familiar to all interested in local shipping, and who were highly esteemed. Each skipper had recently taken command of the vessel, and each had a substantial interest and special pride in the boat he commanded. Each skipper had before leaving Auckland extended his usual cordial greetings to Gisbornites who happened to be in the vicinity when they ! were taking their departure from the Northern city—and, sad to relate, each vessel came to grief within a few hours of - one another, and now both vessels lie upturned in the sand. I The following message was received I yesterday afternoon by Mr Renner, Chief I Postmaster, from Mr A. T. Ngata, M.H.B : “It is reported by Maoris who have I just crossed the Waiapu from East Cape I that a three-masted schooner was wrecked I there Monday night or Tuesday. The I name is ‘ Star Henry ’ or ‘ Sir Henry.’ I None were saved. There were supposed Ito be five on board. Three men were seen on a plank, and were washed off.” I Later information of course confirmed I the name as being the Sir Henry, a very smart sailor frequently berthed at the Gisborne wharf, and which was on her I way from Auckland to Napier with timber and pipes. She had got as far as Tolago, I where she had taken shelter for part of Sunday and Monday, and with the change I of wind had to make out to sea again and 1 run for the Cape. I The line being down at the East Caps I end the sad news had to be conveyed by messengers to Port Awanui, where Mr A. 1 T Ngata, M.H.R., immediately had it • I transmitted to town. 3 FURTHER DETAILS.

An opportunity was taken last night ta obtain fuller information through the kindness of Mr Ngata and Constable Mellsop. “ The information,” states Mr Ngata, at Port A wanui, “ was brought by message, and across the ferry, all the fines being down.” “ Kindly let us have the fullest details available,” was the request made to Mr Ngata. “ There is not much to give beyond the sad fact,” lie replied. “At 7.30 on the morning of the 17th J uly (Tuesday), when about one and ahalf miles off the East Cape the ketch Sir Henry was struck by a heavy sea. I “It is impossible to say how many men I were aboard, but it is supposed that there I were fire. Three men were seen aboard on Tuesday morning, and there may be I bodies in the hold of the vessel. WASHED OVERBOARD.

“ A big wave washed the men over board. One soon disappeared from view; and two were seen'on a plank struggling' desperately for life. They got to within a quarter of a mile of the land. Then another great wave came and washed one of the men off the plank. A FIGHT FOR LIFE.

" The third man frantically straggled to I get farther in to the shore, bat the fight I was too mnob, and he, too, shared tbs I fate of the others, being washed off th« plank on which each progress shoreward! had been made.” THE VESSEL. “ The vessel is now close in beside the Cape, aptarned, and sicking in the Band.” MR HANSEN’S VISIT. “ Mr Hansen, of Te Araroa, visited the place this (Thursday) morning. He re» ports that no bodies have yet been found. The vessel is fall of timber, whioh may be saved if prompt action is taken; Mr Hancsn is awaiting instructions from tbe polioe, and if that is satisfactory an effort may bo made on Friday to save the cargo and recover tho bodies if there are any aboard ” Mr Ngata explained that tbe ketoh nil proceeding north, bat this would only be owing to her having run back to escape the dirty weather. Tbe ketoh is now lying upside dowa in the sand. About four years ago the scow Wbaka* pao was wrecked between East Island and the mainland, Captain Bonner and members of the crew being drowned, and in whioh oase Mr Kobere d's.iDguished himself in rescuing life. Captain Goorneß, who was a married man, had a large interest in the vessel. Constable Mellsop has proceeded to the scene of the disaster.

THE KETCH AND CREW. ALL AUCKLANDERS. « O •-» VESSEL LEAVES IN COMPANY WITH AOTEA.

PRESS ASSOCIATION, Auckland, last night. The ketch Sir Henry left Auckland with the following orew : Captain J. Goomes, master, aged 48 years. E. Quimar, A. 8., aged 32 years. Adolph Richter, A. 8., sged 22 years, Anton Oollas, A 8., aged 37.

All belong to Anokland. The schooner was 95 tons gross measurement, beiDg 90-1 feet long by 208 feet beam, and 6'7 feet deep. She was survoyed in Lyttelton three years ago. Although a small craft she was seaworthy, and waa considered a very useful type of vessol. The Sir Henry left Auckland last Thursday morning at 8,30, the same time aa the ill-fated Aotea, and the two boats were expected to aooompany one another down the Coast. She was bound for Napior with a cargo of timber and pipes, and as far ns is known neither boat nor cargo was insured. Captain Goomes had cho reputation of being one of the moat camions and thorough skippers on the Coast, and was never known to run his vessel into unneoosary danger. Captain Goomes’ wife and child reside in Wellesley street, Auckland.

DRAIN PIPES FOR PALMERBTON, I’RKSS ASSOCIATION Palmerston North, last nighf, A looa! firm of sanitary engineers, Soldbeo and Kirk, had 150 tons of draia pipes on board the Sir Henry. The loss will not fall on thorn, however, for theconcigos ment was f.o.b. Napier. R. 0. Clark and Sons, Auckland, wore the consignors.