SCHOONER SINKING

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1922, Page 1

SCHOONER SINKING

S.O.S. CALLS ALL YESTERDAY. NO SIGN OF SCHOONER. [BY TELEGRAPH—per PRESS ABBOUIATIOjC| AUCKLAND, Jan. 22 A wireless message was received here at 8.50 a.m. to-day, stating that the schooner Helen B. Stirling, was sinking fast, her position being 170 degrees east and 31.10 degrees south. H.M.S. Melbourne was then communicated with by the Admiralty, and she has gone to the schooner’s assistance. The position" given is about 230 miles north-east of New Zealand and 175 from Norfolk Island. The Stirling left Newcastle on January 4, for Papeete. The Union Coy. received a message regarding the sending of a boat to the Stirling’s assistance, but as the Ulimaroa is within about 200 miles of the scene, is not considered necessary. In consequence of the delay the Melbourne won’t arrive until a. date to he supplied by the ship.

PATHETIC WIRELESS BULLETINS

WELLINGTON. Jan. 22

The Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department received the following information from the Superintendent of the Radio Station at Awanui at 8.15 a.m.

“We received the following S.O.S. call from the sbhooner Helen B. Stirling: ‘Sinking, position 170 degrees cast, 31.10 south. Mainmast gone; leaking; sinking fast. Come quickly or we perish.”

At 9.23 the Helen B. Stirling repeated the S.O.S. call and her position, adding, “Almost gone.” The H.B. Stirling acknowledged receipt of the message sent out by H.M. A.S. Melbourne, which stated she was going to the Stirling’s aid. The Stirling stated that the mainmast had carried away early this morning and that the ship was making water fast. The schooner sent farewell messages to personal friends in ease assistance did not arrive in time.

At 9.47 the Stirling operator said his power was likely to fail any time, as. heavy rolling was interfering with the supply of fuel to his gas engine.

At 10.35 a.m., the H. B. Stirling advised that his position was 120 miles north-west of the Three Kings and said he could not last much longer.

At 11.27 the Stirling stated that his wireless engine was failing, hut he would call again at 2 p.m., if able. He asked the Melbourne to hurry, the latter having told the Stirling she was coming at full speed and would reach the scene at 4 o’clock and expected to sight the schooner at 2.30 p.m.

At 1.30 p.m. the Stirling advised

“We can’t last another hour. We are waterlogged, and seas are sweeping right over us. They are clearing out the boats, but the boats cannot live in this sea. The wireless receiver is out of action, and we are 210 miles north-west hv half north.”

The ship then sent personal messages of farewell, only fragments of which were received.

At three minutes past two the Stirling stated: “All are making ready to take to the boats, which it is not considered will last half an hour.”

Finally at 2.10 p.m. the Stirling’s wireless operator said he was now oil to take his chance in the boats.

WIRELESS MESSAGES CEASE

LADIES ON BOARD

At 4,41 the Stirling repeated the S.O.S. call, and stated: “The boats are all ready. Waiting lor her to go down” and to the Melbourne, the Stirling's wireless operator said: “Please burn searchlights all night. Hurry, we may go down any minute mow. The receiver is out of order and we are anxiously waiting for you. We have a child anti two ladies aboard. Three of the men are injured. They tried'to launch the stern lifeboat, but it was smashed to pieces. We are going to take our chance*of the other two boats Heating off when the ship sinks. \\e can’t heat any sign of you. 1 am now going to take my place in the boat.’

The liner Opawii was also proceeding to the rescue.

Several other vessels including the Cyrena, Kaiwarra, Ulimaroa, T\ aikawa, and Moeraki were aware of the schooner’s distress, and some of them deviated from their courses until it was found that they were too far from the distressed schooner to reach her in time.

H .M.A.S. M ELBOURNE REACHES SCENE. At 5.30 p.m. the Melbourne wirelessed: “We are approximately on the position 120 miles north-west by north by a half north from the Three Kings. The weather is thick with rain from the east amt wind fresh to a gale. Rough seas, visibility low, studying all signals, but think this is the position indicated.” No further information has reached the Secretary of the Post Office. LATER NEWS. WELLINGTON, Jan. 23 The Secretary (R. B. Morris) of the Post and Telegraph Department received the following further information from the Radio Station at Awanui regarding the Helen B. Stirling. At 0.23 p.m. the Stirling told H.M.A.S. Melbourne “Got receiver fixed up after a fashion. Use maximum power.” Later the Stirling stated he could hear the Melbourne faintly. The Melbourne is searching an area between the parallels of 31.40 and 32:20 Meridians 171.20 east and 170.50 east tonight and back over it to-morrow. The Melbourne suggested to the

Opawa that she (tho Opawa) should search a similar area to windward of it. This is all tKe information received up to the close of the Telegraph Office at 8.20 p.m.

Later, the Telegraph Department received the following message at 9.2/ p.m.—Stirling and Melbourne in comiminication. Melbourne to Stirling:— “We are certain to find you. Hope you see our searchlight at 1 a.m. Do not start your flares before 1 a.m. Keep good heart.” Later, the Melbourne to Stirling:— Am proceeding to 31.1 s 1G9.18. Shall take longer to reach this position statics and interferences making reception of Stirling’s weak signal difficult. HELP REACHES STIRLING. WELLINGTON, Jan. 23 The Melbourne lias picked the Helen B. Stirling up. GREW TAKEN OFF. WELLINGTON. Jan. 23 The latest messages show the Melbourne reached the Stirling in 31 south 1(38.55 east at 3.12 a.m. The crew and passengers were taken aboard safely by 4 a.m. She was to make further signals ro salvage after conferring with tlie master. , GOING TO AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Jpn. 09. Commodore Hot-ham of the cruiser Chatham has received a wireless stating the Melbourne arrives at 6 p,.m. to-morrow.