LOSS OF RIPPLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1924, Page 1

LOSS OF RIPPLE.

HAST SKKX HY WAIKAWA. W K1.1.i NGTON. Aug. Hi. I’robahly the la-t vessel to see the Hippie before -he came to grief north of Cane I’aMiser "as the Fuion Steam Ship Company's large cargo steamer, Waikawa, which lelt Wellington a short distance behind the ill-fated coaster on Thursday evening. The tna.-ler of tie Waikawa, Captain A. II Davcy, t\ Im lei L hi- -hip at New Plymouth. arrived at Auckland yesterday morning by rail, lie staled that lie wa- eodv a -hurt distanee behind the Hippie, both vessels standing out on the fierce gale to get well clear of the land and making only about a mile an

••It would lie dillieult to imagine a wers'.' night.” -aid Captain Davey. although we could see the Hippie’s light- between -quails. Most mastertravelling up the Fast Coast pa~t Cape Palliser give the land a wide berth, and <-n tlti- oeeasioti the Hippie was standing out further than usual to "et. well clear. Alter battling for an hour or two the Hippie went to the east and " e headed through the strait. If -lie had broken down an hour later 'lie would in all probability have heen fairly sale, although there would have been G e risk of going ashore about Castle Point.” Captain Davey ventured the opinion that the Hippie did not founder it. upon water but touched the rocks and so came to grief. He wa- also of opinion that even if the Hippie had heen fitted with wireless and lie had received her signal he could not have rendered assistance, for had he been alongside her it would have been suicidal to put a boat over, for no small boat could have lived in the son.