TALE OF THE SEA.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1923, Page 3

TALE OF THE SEA.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. THE TREVESSA’S CREW. LONDON, Juno -- The first message received from the Trovessn survivors tamo to tho captain’s wife*, residing at Barry, il only contained the words“ Safe. Excellent health.” It seemed incredible, as the vessels which had been rushed to help tho doomed ship had reported, after several days’ search, that they found nothing Imt wreckage and an upturned boat, and all hope had been given on Juno 21. *jf"®“"Cnnfiniuition of the news soon ar*laLr>vetl at the owners’ oflices, and also at St Ives, tho Trevessa’s port of registry, showing that the master, (lie chief engineer, and Iti others had reached Rodriquez on .Monday night. This [tort is one thousand miles from the scene of the vessel’s foundering. Lord fnehcapo instructed the Eastern Telegraph Company's staff there to care for the survivors, and to accept their messages to relatives gratis. THE TREVESSA'S EIGHT, (Received this day at 8.30 a.in.) LONDON, June 28 Captain Foster gives a thrilling account of the Trevessa’s light against the gigantic seas and high winds before he was compelled, in the interests of safety, to abandon the vessel. The water was pouring over the Imus while the ship steamed into the mountainous waves. All night long the pumps were unable to eopo with the* water and all the decks were flooded. .Much of the forepart of the vessel was damaged by the force ot the impact. The Trevessa was sinking rapidly by the hows when he ordered a tv ireless S.O.S. signal to he sent. This was answered quickly by tin* Runic and two unknown vessels, but lie was unable to remain aboard any longer than half an hour. Afterwards the boats were prepared and at one o’clock all were issued with lifebelts when the ship was abandoned. She was floating with the forward bulwark rail level with the water. lie remained in the vicinity as long as possible, hut halt an hour later the Trevessa plunged how lirst to the hot loin. Realising that delay by waiting for possible help would he dangerous, the I captain made every effort to roach the ’nearest land. During the early part of the time hot weather greatly reduced their strength and many bathed by undressing and hanging ovei the side of the boat. Everyone suffered greatly from thirst, and five men, despite warning, drank salt water and were in a low condition when they reached Rodriquez, but they rapidly recovered. .Mrs Foster, though confined to her bed since the news of the disaster, steadfastly refused to believe that her husband had been lost. She states that this is his second experience in an open boat. Alter bis fcssel had been torpedoed in war time be was rescued from a raft, but the rescuing ship also was torpedoed, and Foster was adrift in a boat with ,‘il others for ten days. Some went mad and when eventually they reached the coast, of Spain, only It! were alive. A THRILLING B.DRY. (Received this day at 11.15 n.m.) LONDON. June 28.

Captain Foster in a thrilling wreck story, says sit. midnight on 3id .June, tile Trevcssn in 11 heavy s.s.'v. gale lieinn hove to, the vessel was nisikiivr water rapidly in number one bold. The pumps were unable to cope with the water and at 1 a.in. it was decided to abandon the ship. The lifeboats were swoon nut and lifclclt- issued and an •‘S.O.K.” Has sent mu. At 2.1 d Hey abandoned the sliip. the lore deck being under water. The vessel sank at o. to in 11 tit tide 28-70 is., longitude 8747 K. Groat difficulty was experienced in getting the boats away from the sliip, ew I n g in the heavy sea moling. i\ll the crew not away safely in two life-boats, ami lay to all night until p. awaiting assistance, was then decided to set sail for .Mauritius, having a westerly current, though the distance was slightly longer than hack to Australia. Both boats kept together though great difficulty was experienced at. ninht time, owing to my beat In ion much faster: having larger suds and lamps were useless in the heavy weather. The boat compasses were useless, so they steered hy sun and stars. On Vtlie Sltii. they decided to proceed alone, havinn obtained astronomical declinations from the other boat, they having ;i chart mid books anil we m ile, arranging to steer ilie same coiiisc.-. AVe sending assista.nco liack as too mneli time was lost by keeping together. 'I lie latitude ami longitude ol Manriiius and Rodriquez was also obtained and it. was then deeided to make Rodriquez as mucli nearer, as they nail only a sextant an board, it was only possible to obtain latitude, so they steered a N.M . course and when in the right latitude steered due west. Although they were driven, away lepeatcdly and had to beat back during the voyage, good progress was made to the 10th. I 1 nun the lltli to the a-itii. it was ealm weatl eland very hot, tin- crew bathing their bonds and having bams to keep their thirst down, and also sinking bullous and Pieces of coal to keep their mouth moist. All hands were feeling a little off colour during the beat. Sonic- ot the crew soaked their biscuits in the salt water, despite lepcated warnings. On the 1-1 th. at 2 p.m. a strong breeze came from the W.. sailing about six knots. On the l.itli. at G a.ni. the heaviest rains so far fell, all hands catching the rain. Sufficient was caught lor immediate needs. 'I in shouts had to be made trom old biscuit tins to slio.it water into cigarette tins us the sails and innvas boat cover were too saturated with salt water to be useful. Kveryone was much more eheertul. On tlie 16 th. there was a good stiff sea a ml wind. More rain was caught and nil were wet through with rain and salt 1 water, hut it helped to keep away the thirst. All feet were very sore with the continual soaking and lack of circulation. We shipped a green sea at 1 p.m., half filling the ’coat. One plank of the bilge of the boat was found cracked. We caulked same, bailing continuously. On the btm opened two tins of biscuits, but only ‘JO were good. Then- were still 1 plenty aboard with care. The sun was strong and all drying their clothes, tried rubbing their leet with storm oil. with good results. I here was same trouble with salt water boils. On the tjj t li there were fierce squalls from midnight to 1 am.., sailing before the wind under bare poles. On the ]oth. wc were making inirly decent. progress but it. was still squally and on this morning a fireman. -Nagi and .loeadali were very ill, moaning all night. A very high sea and not much wind between the squalls. On the 20th. a most horrible night was passed and with a seiies of fierce squalls everyone -being soaked a,ml b.tto.ly cola. At 3 a.ill. the fireman .Taeobali died, and at 7 a.rn. was buried, but we could net keep the hotly ... the boat owing to it having a depressing effect on the rest of the crew. M. Nagi was very ill. it being hard to open his teeth, to gel him to drink yvater or milk- All hands were on the

. watch, and continued to. A itrongS.E. wind and a heavy cress sea was experienced on the 21st., followed bv a light sea breeze. We gave M. .Vagi water and milk at intervals. At B.HO a. III. .Vagi died and at 11 p.m. we luiricd him. A sheave in the mast carried, away, and we substituted, a piece of leather to allow the halyards to ride easy and carried on. Some of the crow were very downhearted and much time was lost: owing to laid steeling. At 9 p.m. sail was taken in owing to the teriilie weather and we were lu.ve to all night on the 22nd. At 7 p.m. we proceeded and sad tv::;; reefed. .Most of the crew were in good health and splendid discipline prevailed. No altitude was possible on this day owing to there being no sun and fierce squalls, -ailing only between the squalls and -hipping heavy water which half filled the heat: weather moderating; sailing all night : everyone soaking. Twenty-third. Similar weather, keeping sharp look-out for land. Twenty-fourth.—-Very high -on and lioree squalls, sailing, with only a piece of canvas before the mast to keep the boat running before the sea; similar weather prevailing all the 25th. and on the 2(>th very high seas and squally and at fj a.in. shipping a green sea right over the after end of the boat, breaking the tiller and rudder head and buckling the pintle, came to and repaired while steering with oar-: 7.45 p.m. In mI sighted on port how. made for same, and Itidriqnez Island reached at 8 p.m. (hi landing everyone found great difficulty to stand upright and it was impossible to walk straight without assistance. The weakest eases were sent to the hospital and :•!! were treated splendidly. The morale of the w hole crew i I this boat v..i- pb iuLd | throughout. Great hopes are onto tained for the ; other boat turning up shortly. A search vessel ha- been despatched. ! The rations during the' voyage <■: nsisted of one third of a cigarette, tin of water, two cigarette tin lids of condensed milk and one biscuit daily, for the first three days no water Icing issued. All the crew are now; doing well and cannot speak too highly of the treatment received here. Two of the Treves-n’s i row who died, were Arabs.