The Helen B. Stirling

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1922, Page 4

The Helen B. Stirling

MR MASSEYS,’ TO THE MELBOURNE.

“worthy, of St t^aiMo'ns OF BRITISH NAVY.”

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

WELLINGTON; JanV 23..,

In the House of Repfesehttltives tonight;, relying to 3 ,Mr fsltf,' Mr- Massey said he had already sent a telegram to the commander of H.MiA.G. Melbdurhe, 1 congratulating 1 him oh the rescue of the crew and passengers of the schooner Helen ’B. Sterling T ° one,' he thought,' could have relief without a thrill of pleasure - and’ Admiration of the rescue of these people- by the moil of the Melbourne," and they could not help feeling* proud that'they -belonged to an Empire of which the Melbourne was the dpfeucc ( force. It was also' gratifying, to find' that here in the South Pacific We were, breeding as good sailors as were being trained, even in the Atlantic. : The following is the message sent by the Prime Minister to Rear-Admiial Dumaresq, commanding IT.M.A.S. Melbourne :

In welcoming yourself, your officers, and men to New Zealand waters, ,1 desire to thank you and all concerned on the gallant rescue ol the passengers and crew of the auxiliary schooner Helen B. Sterling from what appeared to be almost certain death. Such actions, under circumstances of danger and difficulty, appeal to the people of our race, and make British citizens proud of the race to which they belong, and, in the case of TI.M.A.S. Melbourne, especially ol the sailors of the naval service of our sister Dominion, who have so signailly proved themselves worthy of the best traditions of the British Navy.

The Prime Minister has received the following wireless telegnim iroiii RearAdmiral Dumaresq, of H.M.A.S. Melbourne :

i regret that the date oi om arrival in the Dominion is delayed two days, but by having steamed back 250 miles to the north-westward, a ship’s company of fifteen and nw wives and a boy have been taken oft a schooner in distress, which no other ship could get to so quickly. Please ascertain from his Excellency what readjustment of our programme would be best and most convenient. Ship has suifered much in appearance trom hard steaming in heavy weather, and pumping oil over the side.

RESCUED CREW ARRIVE

THRILLING RESCUE WORK

AUCKLAND, January 24

The cruiser Melbourne arrived here to-night with the passengers and clew of the American schooner Helen B. Stirling. ... ... .

The captain states that they had fine weather until Saturday last, when a heavy south-easterly gale sprang up with a high sea. The ship shortened down, sail, double reefed and hove to. At 5 a.m. on Sunday the ship’s main mast was carried away. Fortunately the wireless was attached to tho foremast and the jigger mast, the other two, masts being shorter. Thus the aerial was not damaged. The heavy sea caused the schooner to leak on the decks and topsides. The sea, 9 weire constantly breaking ‘On board, which prevented the crew from Working the pumps, which were on the main decks.

The casualties, reported previously, consist only of minor cuts and bruises. After pouring oil on the water, the cruiser’s cutter was launched, Co inin under Ward-Hunt being in charge with 14 men. When it drew near the schooner, the latter threw out a line, whereby with a breeches buoy, all were transferred, they being dragged through. the water a distance of 60 feet in the darkness and amid a raging sea.. The task was one of the greatest difficulty, and its success is attributed largely to the Comander’s skilful judgment.

The Helen B. Sterling, well-known in Auckland waters, is a four-masted wooden auxiliary schooner, of 1608 tons, which has been trading from Newcastle to Auckland at intervals during the past two years. She was recently under the charge of Captain Ray Sterling, the son of Captain E. H. Sterling, whose six-masted barquentine, which hears his name, pays occasional visits to these waters. Tho Helen B. Sterling was built in 1917 by the Washington Shipping Co. She is 220 ft long, 43ft hen mnnd 21ft deep.