SCOW WRECKED

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1928, Page 1

SCOW WRECKED

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association,

AUCKLAND, July 15

A wireless message from the Tofua states that she is returning to port with tho crew of the scow “Herald” of 73 tons, the owner of which is Mr G. A. W. Bryant, of Auckland. There are no details. The Herald was on a voyage from. Whangarei to Auckland. The Secretary of the Post Office has received the folhving navigation warning: “The Tofua reports that the scow “Herald” was wrecked on Flat Rook at three a.m. on July 14th. The crew were saved. The derelict, which is full of coal, is drifting tow r ards Great Barrier Island, and, is a danger to navigation.”

FURTHER DETAILS. AUCKLAND, July 15.

Tho scow “Herald,” owned by A. W. Bryant, while on a voyage from Whangarei to Coromandel, ran ashore on the Flat Rook, ten miles outside of Tiri, at 3 a.m. yesterday. Tho crew scrambled on to the rock, and. remained there in wintry conditions un•til their signals of distress were sighted by the steamer Tofua a few minutes before two o’clock yesterday afternoon. Those on the Herald were: Captain E. Sellars, J. Davis (acting mate), F. Frodig (A.B) and Hansen (A. 8.) “We left Whangarei at about 1 a.m. on Friday for Coromandel,” said the Captain. “Towards evening, we experienced dirty, squally weather from the south-west. We were working up along shore, and tho wind broke us off our course. I went to put tho ship about, and she missed the stays. The next I knew was wo had run ashore.” “The Herald wont on the rock sideways” side Captain Sellars. “As tho weather was nasy she humped and knocked herself about. Wc could not launch a boat on. account of heavy seas, so we scrambled over tho jibboom, and got ashore on tho rocks. In less than half-an-hour, the scow Worked herself off the rock, and she drifted in the direction of tho Great Barrier.”

The men had an uncomfortable, time on the rock, being without food or shelter. Three craft passed during the morning, but did not see the castaways’ signals, but in the afternoon the men were seen from the Tofua, and were rescued. The Tofua then returned towards port, and l the men were transferred to a launch.

Tho Herald is a schooner-rigged vessel of 73 tons. She is one of tho largest scows trading out of Auckland. As tho floating hulk is a menace to navigation, the tug Simplon has been sent to look for it.