WRECK ON THE COAST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3768, 15 June 1907, Page 3

WRECK ON THE COAST.

Loss of Life. Auckland, June 13. The Kia Ora, on the journey from Waitara to Onehunga, was wrecked about 30 miles down the coast between Kawhia and Mokan, and Captain Blacklock and two passengers (Forbes and Ross) were drowned. There are 27 survivors stranded on the coast some distance from any settlement. There are about 27 survivors, a dozen being passengers, all for Kawhia and Raglan. The place is about four niiles from the nearest settler’s house and a most inaccessible and desolate spot. Settlers have gone down with provisions, but will not get there till daylight tomorrow morning. In the meantime the shipwrecked people will be without food or shelter. A constable from Kawhia and party are going down to the spot to-morrow. New Plymouth, June 14. The Northern Company’s Rarawa, after landing her passengers at the breakwater this morning, left again at six o’clock for the scene of the wreck of the Kia Ora, taking Dr Wylie with her. Later. Survivors in a bad way. No food or clothing. Auckland, June i 4. News of the wreck was sent by a man who rode thirty-five miles to the nearest telephone station. The latest news is to the effect that the survivors are having a very bad time in an exposed situation. They are without food or clothing. A relief party, including Constable McCarthy and Dr Perkins, left Kawhia this morning for the scene with food, clothing, and restoratives. One of those drowned is believed to be a son of exSergeant Forbes, and is well known in Auckland. The Kia Ora was uninsured except in the Company’s own fund. The cargo was a valuable one, and includes flax valued at for Kawhia. Names of the Grew. Capt. Blacklock, master of the Kia Ora, was a married man, 35 years of age. He leaves a wife and three children. The names of the officers and crew are C. B. De Wolf,first mate; James Robertson, second mate ; B. L. Baggstrom, chief engineer; H. Lister, second engineer; W. Hodgson, W. Danning, W. Symes, firemen ; F. Martenson, Thomas Chambers, A. Ander, J. H. Morris, and D, Forbes, A.B.’s; J. A. Peterson, chief steward; W. J. Haynes, assistant, steward ; W. Johnston, cadet steward ; Mrs A. J. Keller, stewaidess, R. Betts, cook ; J. Decalmer, cook’s boy. The Rarawa, after she rescues the survivors, returns to New Plymouth. The N.Z. Times New Plymouth correspondent forwards the following details: — FIREMAN SYMES’ NARRATIVE. Fireman Symes gave a most intelligent story. The Kia Ora left Waitara shortly after half past 9 on Wednesday- night; He went on waLk at midnight. All went well until 3 o’clock. He had just finished “oiling round,” and was in the act of putting away his can, when, with a horrible crash, the way of the vessel stopped. The second officer, Mr Robinson, Was on duty on the bridge, having relieved the chief officer, Mr R. Wolff, at midnight. Captain Blacklock, it is stated, had left instructions to be called at a quarter past 3. Everyone immediately rushed on deck, and the captain to the bridge. The vessel was enveloped in a heavy fog, and was bumping heavily. She immediately commenced to fill aft, leading to the conclusion that the bow had ridden over a reef, which penetrated abaft the engines. “Launch the boats! Women and children first,” was the captain’s order. The port boat promptly swung out, and was launched under the charge of the chief officer, Mr Wolff. Into this boat three women passengers, the stewardess, and three children were safely transferred, and, with two seamen, the boat stood off from the wreck, drifting astern. The doomed steamer settled rapidly down, rolling heavily, and crashing on to the rocks. Seas were breaking over those huddled aboard, and it was only

with extreme difficulty that footings could be maintained. No time was lost in launching the starboard boat, but it was crushed to matchwood between the vessel and the rising portion of the reef as soon as it touched the water. Gradually those aboard could now feel the ship slipping back off the reef as the stern filled. Suddenly the haze lifted for a moment and Captain Blacklock obtained a glance at Tirur headland, showing his position. Not the slightest sign of a panic had been apparent —not even a child cried. A PATHETIC INCIDENT. The pantry-boy, hanging on to the guy aft, was heard crying to be saved. The captain fevridly remarked to the men, “ I’d give my life to save that boy.” In a moment or two everyone excepting the three at the funnel were struggling in the sea. Symes, who possessed, a lifeboat and a buoy, offered the captain the latter, which was accepted after the-cap-tain had been assured that Symes was provided for similarly. LAST SEEN OF THE CAPTAIN. With a tearing crash the vessel suddenly parted, just forward of the engines, and the stern portion disappeared beneath the waves. At that moment Captain Blacklock said “goodbye ” to his companions, and was seen no more. As the vessel went down the aft became detached and floated off, and to this eleven men battled their way. The greatest regret is felt on the coast for the loss of so popular a seaman as Captain Blacklock. No reason is at present advanced for the disaster. The vessel was about a mile off her course. Had she been a few yards further out she would have passed safely over the reef. It can only be assumed that some mistake may have been made in the transmission of watch orders. Shipping men are loth to believe that the most experienced officer on,the coast could have made a miscalculation.