FIGHT FOR A SCHOONER

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1923, Page 4

FIGHT FOR A SCHOONER

; LOTTIE BENNETT INCIDENT. WANOANI'J, .Juno ‘2l It will In- remembered thai tin l Atiit i iciin schooner Lottie Hennett, w liieh visited Wanganui some months ago, created something oi’ stir one way and anotlier. She struck exeeeu-ii-glv rough weather while making lot Wanganui, losing the mate overboard and live hundred pounds worth of stills. Skipper Jensen also had considerable trim Me with the crew, one man being put in irons. The Lottie Bennett left here lot' Suva, ami went on to Tonga. On the v.iiv io San Francisco. Captain Jensen states in a letter to a friend on the ■ Herald" stall’, the Lottie Bennett had a narrow escape of being smashed on ihe reeks during a storm at the Vinap.,;i landing. Tonga. Captain Jensen says that lie dropped anchor near the edge id ihe reel, the weather being line, biit a storm came on suddenly, and it vas impossible to got the hip ready 10 get under wav. Everything possible was done for the safety of the -hip. I but tit ere appeared to be every like! - i hood that she would he driven on to the rocks and dashed to pieces. In the circumstances, ii was decided that the crew had bi-iter get ashore. The wind v.as increasing and the sea running verv high. There was no safe landing place—only bare clid's, ami in the darkness of the night, with no assistance i nun tile shore, it seemed impossible lu laud. However, after thrilling experiences. all got ashore safely, the skipper being the lasi man in leave the ship. Next day the weather moderated, and, as the vessel was hanging on all right. 11 was decided to board her again. Before leaving the shore Captain Jensen was informed lhat a local resident Imd boarded the vessel and taken toll charge, and Captain Jensen had to apply to the magistrate In have him ordered oil. Police were sent aboard but the resident refused in go ashore, claiming the ship. He mviled Captain Jensen aboard, and the latter accepted the invitation. The resident met Captain Jensen at the gangway and the latter ashed him what he was doing oil his ship, to which the resident replied, ''What brought you here?” As the resident refused In obey the order of the magistrate, ami dreliliod to leave the vessel by Captain Jensen's orders, it ended in a light, and il was a livelv rough and tumble, which ended m I lie resident being pm ill irons and sent iislnne. In connect inn with the mail’s claim that lie was cnlliled to the ship, its In- ton 11;! Ho one nil board of her, ; Captain Jensen says that be Iccls sure! Ihe lav, will uphold all Ids net ions, as j Hie Ifni of a vessel are entitled In save A member of the riini also writes continuing wlial Captain Jenson has said as io the strange happenings at Vimipou.