SHIPPING DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1928, Page 1

SHIPPING DISASTER

“ISABELLA DE FRAINE.”

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND,' Julyls.

Tiie Secretary of the General Post Office has received the following messoge from the Postmaster at Rawene : “Isabella de Fraine,” an auxiliary schooner, was wrecked off Hokianga Heads about 4 p.m. to-day (Saturday).

The vessel is a total wreck on the rocks.

“No lives are reported to have been saved.”

EIGHT LJVES LOST.

The crew of the schooner Isabella do Fraine are as follows:

Captain A. Berrjdge, aged 47 years. J>. Teixeira, mate, aged 53 years. A. Kendrick, engineer, aged 31 years.

E. Merritt, cook. F. Liewendahl,, able seaman A Suvanto A.B.

M. Kennedy ordinary seaman. Captain Berridge leaves a wife, a son aged 20 years, a daughter aged 15, and a son f aged 7. Mr. Teixeira- the mate leaves a wife and a son aged 18| and two daughters aged 15 and 8 years. ■ Air. Kenrick, (engineer) was married only six weeks ago, and lie had just returned to duty from his honeymoon.

The able bodied seamen have no relatives in New Zealand.

A TREACHEROUS BAR

AUCKLAND, July 15

The gravest maritime tragedy on tho New Zealand icoast since the sinking of tho Coastal steamer Ripple on August 7, 1924, occurred at 4.30 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, when the auxiliary schooner Isabella De Fraine, capsized on the Hokianga liar, with the loss of all hands, namely a crew of eight strong. Westerly weather, at times reaching to galo force, has obtained along the northern coast for over a week, creating difficulty in the navigation conditions at the bar harbours. The Isabella Do Fraine left Onehiinga on Thursday afternoon, and when she was crossing the liar at tho mouth of the Hokianga river on Saturday afternoon, she was seen to capsize, she apparently being overwhelmed by one of the groat, rollers which, combined with the formation at tho mouth of the river, so very often makes tho negotiation of tho channel hazardous. The little, vessel was rolled right over in the heavy seas and it is believed impossible that any oi' the crew of eight can have survived. The master of the vessel was Captain A. Berridge, of Auckland, who had with him nearby D. De Troxia (mate's, Kenbrick (Chief Engineer). W. Kennedy (assistant engineer), a cook and three seamen. The, Isabella De Fraine was an auxiliary engined schooner of HD tons gross, and was owned by A. G. Frnnkham Limited, of Auckland, and she was built in 3902 at Camden Haven, New South Wales. She had been engaged in the New Zealand coastal service for over 10 years. The Hokianga bur is reckoned one of the most dangerous on the northern coasts. Its channels ■ are constantly changing in direction, and in depth. Fourteen years ago tho iron barque “Joseph Craig” became a total loss there through the parting of the towline by a squall, but no lives were lost on that occasion.

AUCKLAND, July 13

Tho latest reports state the Isabella disappeared, and there is no hope cf any survivors.

NO TRACE OF CREW. AUCKLiAND, July 16

Groups of searchers made systematic search of the coast line walking .to within a short distance of Whangape, fifteen miles of bleak wild land throughout the- darkness, without food or shelter, but found no trace of any survivors. Pieces of hatchway and portions of the hull were strewn over the sixteen miles. By noon four hundred people were scouring tho shore without further success.

Capt. Berrklgc and the mate, Teixeira. were known as experienced and cautious sailors. The captain leaves a wife and one son aged 20, a. daughter aged 15 and son aged 7. j Teixeirn’s wife and family live at Taupaki, including a son of 18, two daughters of 15 and 8 years. The Isabella De Fraine carried between 40 and 50 tons of cargo. The vessel is insured with Hartford Insurance Coy.

HARBOURMASTER’S STATEMENT, AUCKLAND, July IG.

Capt. Mitchell, harbour master at Hokianga, and liTs assistant Bryers, witnessed the wreck but were powerless to do anything, being alone on the osilated coast line. It was four o’clock ii\ the afternoon when the disaster occurred. Inward bound from Onehunga the vessel attempted to cross the bar with the tide running almost full in. Why she hesitated and did not come through, is baffling all seamen at Hokianga Ex-masters of vessels say perhaps it was because the rudder became loose or because the steering chains broke. That the captain changed his mind, is indicated by the statement of the harbourmaster, who described how the vessel seemed suddenly to sweep her how round after, she had started to dip into the channel. When the vessel was on her hack the rudder was seen.

Mitchell sighted the schooner at 10.45 this morning coming from ( tho north under sail, and signalled her at 1.30 p.m. to keep to the south. Ten minutes later lie saw the engines had been started and lie signalled wait for tide.

At 1.50 he then observed something that appeared odd. Tho vessel was under power of her sails again and then the engines were started and she went on the port tack. At 3.40 the crew took on tho mainsail and a quarter of an hour later the vessel took to the south channel. Mitchell signalled to turn inward and come in over the bar. No notice was taken of this signal and the vessel turned outward and then suddenly made for the bar. She jibed when almost on the bar and taking a run on the sea it appeared as if she would never stop. Then she went broadside on and did not seem under control, the booms swung across the decks. The vessel listed and was hit by a swell. Then she turned over. Mitchell rushed to his home and telephoned to the police to spread the news round, while Bryers, through his telescope, saw the vessel spring up from the sea only to shudder and be lost for ever.