SHIP FOUNDERS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1933, Page 6

SHIP FOUNDERS

DISASTER IN THE ATLANTIC.

CORNWALL’S VAIN EFFORT.

AUCKLAND, December 16,

An attempt to go to the aid of. a sinking vessel was made in the Atlantic by the Federal Line steamer Cornwall, which arrived at Auckland from Liverpool. . -> The vessel sailed from Liverpool on November 12, and shortly after leaving port encountered very stormy weather, which continued for about a week. On November 15 an S.O.S. wireless signal was picked up from the British steamer Saxilby, a vessel of 3630 tons, stating that she was in difficulties in a raging storm and required immediate .assistance. A later message stated that the cerw was' trying to launch the boats. . , The first S.O.S. signal was received on the Cornwall at eight o’clock m the morning, and immediately the vessel was headed for the Saxilby, which was about 203 miles to the north. The Cornwall was experiencing a very severe storm herself. The wind was blowing from the ncrth-west-West with an almost hurricane force of 85 miles an hour, and there was a mountainous sea running. To proceed in the direction of the Saxilby, the Cornwall had to steam head into the storm, but against the tempestuous conditions she cc-uld hardly make headway. So heavy were the seas that broke oh board that the Cornwall’s bow at times was almost submerged as far as the foremast. For 12 hours she battled against the storm, but daring • that time slie made only about 36 knots. When it was learned that other vessels were nearing the Saxilby’s locality, the Cornwall’s course was altered and the voyage to New Zealand resumed.

Other vessels proceeded to the aid of the stricken Saxilby, which, howefer, foundered with all hands. No sign of crew or ship was seen by the searching vessels when they steamed over the locality where the Saxilby sank.

The Cornwall resumed her voyage at ten o’clock in the evening, and two and a-half hours later the Saxilby wirelessed that her crew was taking to the boats. So , heavy was the storm that the vessels proceeding to the rescue were themselves damaged. Every effort was made by the rescue steamers to reach the Saxilby, because it. was certain that the vessel’s boats would never last in such a violent sea. The Cornwall’s officers held that a boat could not have, been launched from her under the conditions, and there were fears that the Saxilby’s boats might have been badly damaged while they were being lowered.