A SHIPPING DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1921, Page 2

A SHIPPING DISASTER

OFF WELLINGTON HEADS. SAILING VESSEL LOST. BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. WELLINGTON, January 30. The auxiliary schooner Omaka, bound from Blenheim, was wrecked at the Heads in a gale. Her crew, of six men were lost.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. WELLINGTON, January 30. While entering Wellington Heads early this morning, the auxiliary schooner Omaka, trading between this port and Blenheim, capsized. The keeper at Pencarrow Lighthouse says he saw the vessel suddenly heel to a fierce south-easterly squall and then turn over. * The little vessel was laden with chaff hales and other cargoA quantity of wreckage was soon swept overboard. The liglithousekeeper then' saw at least four men who were hanging on to the wreckage. They maintained their precarious hold until they were pounded by the fierce sens dashing over them. They dropped off one by one. 'The vessel was hurled on to the rocks. She went to pieces. Portions of her deck cabins were carried in to Petone where they were washed ashore. The dead body of one of the crew was found in the deck cabin wreckage. As soon as the news of the disaster was reported, many vessels went to the Heads and hays in the harbour to render assistance to anyone living, and to search for the bodies but no trace of the crew except the body of Weeks could be found.

No hope is entertained of any of tins crew being saved.

The names of the crew are:-

Captain A. M Hunter, aged 38, a resident of Island Bay. He leaves a wife and two children.

Alfred Weeks, engineer, formerly of Westport, and latterly of Wellington He leaves a wife and four children.

Wm. Watson, acting mate, 27 'years of age of Wellington. He was married. Harold Stapleton, aged 26 years. His mother is residing in Wellington. Ho was unmarried.

„ W. Marlow, cook, 38 years of age, of Brooklyn. He leaves a wife and three children.

Tommy, a boy, whose surname is not ascertainable, late of the Hona. His parents reside in the Taranaki district. The vessel belonged to the Aekland Company of Blenheim.