THE ILL-FATED RIPPLE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2770, 12 August 1924, Page 3

THE ILL-FATED RIPPLE

*. BELIEVED TO HAVE FOUNDERED.

CAPTAIN’S BODY WASHED ASHORE.

Further particulars gleaned during the week-end regarding the fate of the S.S. Ripple fend to confirm (he general belief that the vessel foundered with nil hands. Message received from Ma start on states that the body of Captain J. A. Norling was found on the beach half a mile south of Cnstlepoint light bouse on Sunday afternoon by ibe Tinui police as they were returning from Flat Point. The spot where the body was found is 60 miles from To A waite where it is believed the Ripple was wrecked. A lifebelt was picked up near Aobanga, which is about 75 miles north from Ihe wreck. There is no further trace of: flic wreck or crew. LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER RAWSIGNALS. THEN VESSEL DISAPPEARED. Wellington, Yesterday. Reports from Flat Point state that the Ripple was not once sighted from there. A suggestion has been made that the steamer lost her propeller and foundered. The boat found which hove the Ripple’s name was damaged, apparently by a rock. It contained several opened tins of chocolates and other articles. The rocket which had been fired was also found.

Mr D. G. Dimler, owner of White Rock Station, reports that the const has been thoroughly searched for 40 or so miles from Cape Palliser to Glenburn and nothing ■ found, but a few barrels. Mr Page, lighthouse-keeper at

Cape Palliser, states that he saw a vessel at midnight three miles oft shore an dduo south of the lighthouse. Twenty minutes later, he saw distress signals asking for assistance and lie immediately teleplumed to Wellington. At 1 a.in. the Ripple again signalled and he again telephoned and was told a. tug was being sent, but on going to signal (bis news he saw no more of tin 1 Ripple. Tt was then between 1.40 and 2 a.m.

TWO LIFEBELTS DRIFT

ASHORE. Wellington, Last Night. The Rum lias left for a further search. Judging by the wreckage washed up at Castlepoint, further bodies will probably come ashore (here. A further search is being made, extra constables having been dispatched to Castlepoint. Two lifebelts, marked “Ripple’ were found at Castlepoint and probably indicate that another body will soon be cast ashore. There was a considerable -quantity of benzine and barrels of lubricating oil found on (be beach at the month ot the Karori stream between Happy Valley and Terawlii.fi station Tt was thought at first that (lie oil might have been part of the deck cargo carried by the Ripple but Captain Petersen states definitely that oil of the description found at ihe mouth of the Karori stream was not carried by the Ripple. It is presumed that tins and barrels forming part of: ibe deck c-argo were washed overboard from some vtesscl running across the Strait. INQUEST ON CAPTAIN. Master lon, Last Night. The body of Captain Norling was brought to Masterton this morning, when a Coronial inquest was opened. Edward Benson, fireman, of Wellington, identified the body, and deposed fo having seen deceased last alive on the deck of the Ripple at Wellington wharves on Wednesday. Witness had received his discharge the day previous and bade the Captain good-day on leaving the boat; after lunch on Wednesday. Deceased was then in good health. Constable Bevthlesou stated that while patrolling the beach on Sunday at 2.15 p.m. lie discovered the body 3J miles south of Castlepoint, The body, which was clothed only in trousers, underpants, shoes and socks, was found face upwards on the rocks with bruises on the legs arms and shoulders. The inquest was adjourned sine die. Excepting for life-buoys at Casllepoint, a thorough search to-day failed to locate further trace of the missing vessel or crew.