SHIPPING DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1922, Page 3

SHIPPING DISASTER.

S.S. WILTSHIRE WRECKED. FURTHER PARTICULARS. [BY TELEGRAPH—I’ER PRESS ASSOCIATION] AUCKLAND, June I. As soon, as the news reached Auckland, the harbourmaster took steps to intercept vessels in the neighbourhood and despatch them to the scene. Later n message was ‘received stating the two holds were full of water, and the ship very exposed to the gale. Two and a-half hours after the Wiltshire struck came a message that the steamer was badly on shore, rocking about, and immediate assistance was required to save life. Several steamers were coming, but were too far off. The nearest steamer was the Union Coy’s Katoa on the way from Auckland to Whnngaroi. She was 25 miles off Rosalie Bay. The Dundala coming to Auckland from Newcastle was about ten miles away and the same distance off was the Arahnra. hound for Gisborne from Auckland. A party was provided with rockets and other life snv ing gear for transport to the Wiltshire. The Moeraki which left port at 1 p.m. to-day also took rockets and other life saving appliances, and will call at Try- ' phenia, and land it for despatch to the Wiltshire. At eleven a.m. word came that all the the crew were still hanging on, as it was a human impossibility to communicate with the shore. Heavy seas were pounding over the vessel, which was then full of water. She has a large number of holds, all separated bv massive bulkheads, but the pounding of the rocks bad knocked her about to such an extent that slie was full of water from end to end. The wireless was still uninterrupted. The Wiltshire loaded at Bristol, Glasgow and Liverpool in April for Auckland, Wellington, Lvttelton and D'''cdin. She left Liverpool 1m April 22ml for Auckland via Panama Canal. The cargo consists of general merchandise, alyl estimated at ten thousand tons, four thousand tons of which is for Ancle land. Tlie manifests are aboard and the agents are unable to give the list, until "obtained from the Wiltshire, or duplicates from London. A very large number of Auckland merchants . have consignments on board.

katoa’s Report. WELLINGTON. June 2

: The Secretary of tlic G.P.O. has received a message from the Postmaster at Coromandel : —“Gale still raging, I very cold weather prevailing. Katoa J reports as far as is known what is still j left of the wreck is still hung up on the rocks. Tlie wreck is not visible from tlie Katoa. V PRESS REPORT. WELLINGTON. June ami. Tlie Auckland “Star’s” reporter wires from Tryphena at 7 a.m. After lour men were landed from the Wiltshire rescue work was suspended owing to nightfall, just when bv the efforts of the Kaitda’s party and settlers were enabled get iuL niinuiueation with Lie wreck. It is believed a line was floated ashore from the Wiltshire and secured by the men ashore. This was followed by the getting nlxturd the Wiltshire of an endless rope. Alter several hours work the first man reached shore. He was followed by three others, but owing to the terrible stonnv conditions and night setting in the work of rescue was interrupted. Ninety-nine men remain oil the vessel. A party from the Kaitoa landed at seven o’clock this morning and arc mak.ng their wnyi over the rugged track to the wreck, travelling as light as possible, under the guidance of Barrier settlers. They have a strenuous job before hem.

LATEST NEWS. AUCKLAND, June 2

_ Arrangements were made with Walsh Pros convey to Barrier life saving appliance received from Wellington. Waitahi returned at noon from Typhous Bay. When she left there at six in the morning there were no Ifcsh <l"velopments. It was quite impossible for Waitahi or Katoa to go to the ocean side of the island. A tremendous sea was pounding on the coast there, a' the remains of the Wiltshire must he standing an awful strain. However it would take a lot to break down t' construction of the big ship. Although those aboard might he uncomfortable there was little doubt of their eventual 'rescue. The tug Awltina could not gel within a mile of the wreck owing to the raging sea. There were possibilities ot a disaster as long as the heavy weather lasted, hut all chances were in favour of a complete rescue.

SUCCESS HOPED FOB. AUCKLAND June

Blue Jackets carrying lifes-nving apparatus this morning landed several more men from the Wiltshire and expect to rescue the entire party* betoic dark. The Katoa will thu bring the shipwrecked people to Auckland.