LOSS OF KARU.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1926, Page 3

LOSS OF KARU.

THE CAPTAIN’S STORY

[by telegraph— van press association.]

AAY A NFI, .March I

The ten survivors of tlie crew of the Kuril came oil to Awanui lost evening bv motor-car, after a 75-mile run down the Ninety Alile beach. All arc in good health and spirits, considering the harrowing experience through which they have passed. According to Captain Richmond and ids three officers, shortly after they lelt, Whangape the wind increased to a gale and alter having made a fair offing the vessel was hove to. boon after mid-night an

unusual quantity of water was reported in the engine room and hold. The sea was very heavy and a whole gale was blowing. The captain ordered the. steam pump to be started. It, was found that the water was gaining. The steamer was vainly endeavouring to round Cape Regina to get the shelter of Spirits Bay or l’arengarenga Harbour and was bearing roughly S.S.W. oil' Cape Maria Vail Dieman. At 3 a.m. all efforts having failed in this intention. Captain Richmond put his ship about and made for land with the object of beaching her. He found, however, that the vessel was barely manageable. and after seven hours running hack on her course she developed a heavy list to starboard and was well down by the stern, 'lo make matters worse the engine-room became flooded, and the boiler fires went out. The engineers who had boon working like trojans with water up to their waists, were lhen obliged to come on deck and lend a band in preparation for abandoning ship. All hope of saving the

steamer was. then dismissed and the captain gave orders for lifebelts to bo donned and as much clothing as possible removed. A sail was hoisted to help in the operation of benching the vessel on Twilight Reach, hut a powerful tide was running and the ship was carried in a northerly direction to the point "here she was wrecked. AVhen 2] miles from the shore and with breakers in sight, one of the ships lifeboats was launched and all 12 members of I lie crew got into the boat, the captain being the last to enter. The falls were cut with axes and the boat gut away safely on top ol a huge wave. As the lifeboat left the abandoned steamer was floating helplessly and uearlv awash. It was 9..3(1 a.m. The

men set to rowing in preeipiUous seas and everything went splendidly until the boat was halt way through the surf. The rowers experienced great difficulty in keeping her head on to the breakers and without warning a

tremendous wave caught the little craft and turned it, completely over, precipitating the occupants into the water. All was then confusion. Some of the men were trapped for the moment beneath the unturned boat, hut managed to free themselves, only after a great' struggle. It L surmised that Frank Saunders who was drowned was struck cither bv the boat or by a flying oar and rendered unconscious, lb R. Ravcnswood is reported as having been swimming soon after the boat capsized. lie never reached land. The lirst to climb through the breakers to I lie shore was a Maori. Able Seaman Dennis Cochrane, a youth of about 19 years of age. whose home is at Pawene.. Others followed al intervals, hut so severe was the bull'eting that they received in the breakers that it

was some time before any of them were able to take much heed of the others. Several of the men were unconscious long before they reached dry land and others dropped from exhaustion on touching the sand with their feet. .Most of them were stripped of their clothing while battling in the breakers and lay on the sand naked. Fpon recovering from their fatigue those who could administered restorative aid to the unconscious and in an hour or so ail were able to move about. AAhile they were still on the beach, the body of Saunders was washed up by the surf. The lifebelt was still round him. AVhen it was realised that all hope ol reviving him was useless, Ills remains were laid in a shallow grave in the sands bv his mates. The party slept out in the open on .Monday night and discovered To Manila next evening. They were accommodated at the residence of Cheesemnn, a local storekeeper.' The party was escorted next day to To Paid and all ten men were brought south last night.