SCHOONER WRECKED.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1921, Page 4

SCHOONER WRECKED.

SMASHED up ON REEF. ADELAIDE, July 30 Seven men had a wonderful escape from death when the schooner Le Mazil went ashore at 1 a.m. onSunday. The schooner struck a reef half a mile trom shore, and .the seven men on board jumped overboard and struggled to land through terrific breakers. All reached the shore alive,, including tho captain, who is 80 years of age. The la- .Mazil was a three-masted schooner, hound for Adelaide with a enrgy of timber from Tasmania, and had been six weeks at sea, battling with heavy gales. She struck a reef on the beach eight miles south ol Millicent, and soon went to pieces. When the vessel began to hump the captain ordered the crew to strip and jump overboard. Only by one the ecrw leapt from the bowsprit into the raging sea, the captain being the last to leave the’vessel. He expected that the water would he fairly deep, but Ins feet struck the sand. Two men drifted ashore on a piece ot plank. The others had a fearful experience. When they reached the shore two seamen, clad only in trousers and singlets. set out on a long tramp through wild and little frequented scrub country to seek help. After sheltering liehind the hummocks for a lew horns limy started for Reachport, thirty miles aW ay. After walking for some hours thev heard a dog yelping, and found a farmhouse, where their wants were supplied. But for this they might have been wandering for days. A search party went out and fount! three other men in distress. One, who was unconscious, was wrapped m a Lnion Jack. His eyes and mouth were . filled with sand. He was earned two miles to a camp. A fire was lit for the others while the party continued the search toi the age captain and mate. They were overtaken walking barefoot and clad only in trousers and singlet. All that now remains of the schoonei are idles of timber on the beach.