THE LOST TREVESSA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2600, 30 June 1923, Page 3

THE LOST TREVESSA.

_ .... STORY OF THE WRECK. HOW BOAT REACHED RODRIGUEZ. OVER THREE WEEKS AT SEA. London, 28th June. Captain Foster, in a most thrilling account of the Trevessa’s fight against gigantic seas and high winds, said that before he was compelled in the interests of safety to abandon the vessel, the water was pouring over the bows, while the ship steamed into mountainous waves all night long. The pumps were unable to cope with the water. All the deeks were flooded, and much of the forepart of the vessel damaged by the force of the impact of the waves. She was sinking rapidly by the hows, when he ordered the wireless S.O.S. signal. This was answered quickly bv the Runic and two unknown vessels, but he was unable to remain aboard any longer. Half an hour afterwards the boats prepared and at 1 o’clock he laso issued life-belts. When the ship was abandoned she was floating with the fonvard bulwark rail level with the water. He remained in the vicinity as long ns possible, hut half an hour later the Trevessn plunged how first to the bottom. Realising that delay in waiting for possible help was dungerous, he made every effort to reach tlie nearest land. In the early part of the time hot weather greatly reduced the strength of the crew. Many bathed by undressing and hanging over the side of the boat. They suffered greatly from thirst. Five men, despite warning, drank salt water and were in a low condition when they reached Rodigue/, lmt'rapidly recovered.

HIS SECOND EXPERIENCE,

SIMILAR VOYAGE TX WAR TIME

London, 28th June,

Airs Fostei', though confined to bed since the news of the disaster, ■steadfastly refused to believe her husband lost. She states that this is the second experience in an open boat. After his vessel was torpedoed in war time, lie was rescued from a raft. The rescuing ship was also torpedoed, and Captain Foster was adrift in a boat with 31 others for ten days. Some went mad. and when they eventually reached the coast of Spain only sixteen were n!ivc. TR)\V NEWS WAS RECEIVED. PEOPLE COULD HARDLY BELIEVE IT. London, 27th June. The fir.-i message received from the Trevessa survivors came to the captain’s wife, who lives at Barry. Tt only contained the words: “Safe. Excellent health.” It seemed incredible, as the vessels which bad rushed to help the doomed ship reported after several days’ search that they found nothing hut wreckage and an upturned boat, and all hope was given up on the. 21st. Confirmatory news soon arrived at. the owners’ offices, and also at St. Ives, the Trevessa’s port of registry, showing that the master, the chief engineer and Hi others had reached Rodriguez on Monday night. This is 1,000 miles from the scene of fhe foundering. Lord Inchcape has iustucted the Eastern Telegraph staff to care for tlie survivors and to accept messages to their relatives gratis.