WRECKED WILTSHIRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1922, Page 1

WRECKED WILTSHIRE.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

all hands saved. . AUCKLAND, June 2. Tho “Herald’s” Coromandel correspondent reports: “All are safely kindcil from the wreck-* total of 103There are nt> casualties. The weather is awful again, but the last lot from the wreck are under tarpaulins. All the others are on hoard the Katoa, which wilt leave for Auckland on Sntu.dny afternbon. The survivors have been well taken care of by the settlers. The “Herald’s” special reporter states: “The Philomel’s party wit!’ the rescue gear arrived at the scene ol tho wreck- early this morning. On arrival thev found the tent of the Katoa s landing party, who had already landed 12 men making 10 in all. with the four rescued on the previous evening. The rescue was effected hv means of a life-line secured to n tree on the chit. The Katoa’s men worked courageous!? on tho previous evening arid spent the night on the cliff in drenching I! ' 1 11 ■ Tired and famished as they were, ttiey immedlately started the work of rescue when light permitted. On the nrnva of the Philomel’s pavty, the ''oik of rescue was enabled to proceed more rapidlv. 10 men hauling on an endless rope and bringing several men to shore at n. time. Food was sent out to the wreck, tho new being famished and thirsty. The rescue party from t,ir Philomel spent the night at Tryphena. and had a terrible journey across country to reach the scene of the wreck this morning. They had to wn< e through flooded creeks breast high and scramble through dense bush, with the result that they all were badly knocked about and drenched through before the? reached the wreck.”

THE CREW’S STOBY

AUCKLAND, June 2

A special reporter at Tryphena telegraphs The men who have come ashore relate a vivid storv of their experiences during the past thirty-six hours Heavy weather and torrential rain hail been experienced for ton hours prior to the wreck. Tt. was impossible to see a shin’s length off. The impression existed among me men that tho ship slowed down somewhat. about twenty minutes h-forc slie struck. Prior to that the M iltslnre was averaging 320 miles a day. There was a terrific thump when the Wiltshire struck, and she gave four distinct jumps, as the impetus forced her on the rocks. The whole complement of the vessel was immediately- summoned to the boats and a rocket of distress was sent up The boats were swung out on the Iceside and all hands stood to for one and a-half hours every moment of whirl, intensified the suspense. A largo sea began breaking over the vessel, particularly aft and when it became cm y to apparent that any attempt to land a boat would see them dashed against the dirt hv the terrific sens, it was agreed to await the break of dayhands spent a night of anguish m the saloon and tho ship shook from stern to how as each wave struck her. Every man oxoont the ship’s officers went forward ot dawn.

H about 7.30 n .m. the .Arnhura was soon in tlio roadstead. Although she lirnipc about, she was powerless to rondo.- anv assistance. Tlio position at this ti ,ll o was extremely pro,-a,-inns as bo si,ip bad listod to starboard, and the nftor portion was in doop water. mis was tlio condition of affairs until about 11 30 wlion. wit.li noise ld;o a thunderclap tlio sliip snapped in two about .No 1 batcli. Captain TTavwood iiimpod from t.lio bridge, and tbe officers swung themselves down from tbe fnreeastie on „ rope. Simultaneously, witli tbe excitement of this incident there a rav of hope in tbe breasts of tbe men wlion they bad suffered hour aftei bom- of mental anguish wondering « -t | +be next moment would '" ,n - „ Now thov kn,ew. however. ti nt t o f, ward part, relieved of the dead S.I behind, would probably remain secure on tlio rocks. . \bout this time the settlers bad nirived on tbe oliff. and every manner of effort was availed of to get a hue ashore. Tickets proved of no avail ip combating the storm, and were all e.iiried adrift, while floating objects met n similar fate. Event lmllv. about 930 pm a batebway safety divined its nbicct of floating on to tbe slime hei.w secured by patient workers. T hen long hours passed before an end ess bm' had been established, and AA heath,. . tbe first man to go off was drawnout hv foot to shore. At intervals tin, of bis eoinpanions joined him, and til n the operations were suspended for the n, \ow tbe menial anguish of those on board was aggravated bv pbysten endurance. With tbe exception of a hUK steak, there were no oilier provisions aboard until supplies were got. from ashore.