WRECK OF THE CUTTER HERO.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 33, 4 August 1875, Page 3

WRECK OF THE CUTTER HERO.

(From the Taranaki Herald.) ONE OF THE CREW SAVED. CAPTAIN AND TTTRE a MEN dhow: ED. HUNT’S NARRATIVE OFT.IE WRECK. Great excite nent prevailed at Waitara on Saturday evening when it became known that the only survivor of the cutter Hero had arrived at Messrs. Webster Brothers’ store. We at once despatched a special reporter, who interviewed him, and we now lay before our readers the statement as received by him. hunt’s report of the wreck. My name is Alfred Hunt. I am seventeen years of age. I have during the past three years followed the occupation of a seaman, I was first on board the Government steamer Luna as a cabin boy, but not feeling altogether satisfied with my position, I ran away from her on her arrival at 'Auckland about four months afterwards. My uncle, Captain Fairchild, was her commander. I afterwards shipped in smaller craft, and on the 2nd June this.yearl joined the unfortunate cutter Hero. We loaded with timber at Kaipara, consigned to Messrs. Webster Brothers at Waitara. After completing her loading, we dropped down to the Heads, whore we were detained about fourteen days awaiting a favourable opportunity to leave. A fair wind springing up,' we crossed the Kaipara bar on Friday, the 16th July, Soon after crossing the bar the wind increased, and we were all in full expectation of making a good passage. On the morning of the 18th we sighted Waitara about four miles under our weather how, hut the captain deemed it advisable to stand off, owing to the glass falling and the wind dying away at tide time. He was somewhat frightened of the HEAVi" ROLE SETTING HIM ON THE REACH. From this time no other favourable

opportunity oiJroivii for stan ling in. Oil l > captain iiiuk Ihe reckon:!!; , mi',! p'ckp-l up his p.wilioii. Wc wure iii n :i in iii’i Straits. A: ') ii. rn.Wii sighted Cape Fg iimii!. At i lifs lime wo wero hove-tn iind.ir close-iv-fed c-li ras. At noon, trio wind coming in from the westward, wo steered in a X. E. a-i drsly dire - tit <u, intending to fetch tlic Waitar.i River, The following morning at daybreak, we found ours dves fifteen miles to windward of the Mokan River. During the nfght, owing to t ie starting of one of the planks on the port side and the vessel labouring heavily, she was making con.-iderablo quantities of water. THE I’U.Mt’S WERE KEPT CONSTANTLY AT WO UK, but with no visible signs of the water decreasing, so for the safety of the ship and crew the Captain resolved upon going into Mokan. At 11 a.m. same day, the wind being somewhat lighter, we shook out a reef from the main sail, hut no sooner had this been done than the mast cracked. We at once lowered the boom down on to the house, and immediately afterwards THE MAST WAS CARRIED AWAY. After a short consultation the Captain decided to abandon her. The boat was lowered, and all hands took to it, taking with ns our blankets and clothing, the Captain taking also his sextant, glass, and the ship's clock. We took no provisions ; as we wero then only about three miles from the shore, it was not deemed necessary. THE CAPTAIN’S DREAM, Shortly after leaving the ship’s side the Captain remarked, “ Well, hoys, I had a very singular dream last night, I dreamt I saw my wife and children at home ; my wife was crying bitterly, and lamenting she was a widow.” I don’t think ho spoke after this. It was our intention, if possible, to get into the Mokan River, but on arriving off the bar we found the sea was breaking a long way out with a heavy roll, so IT WAS RESOLVED TO BEACH HER. We were no sooner in the surf than the boat capsized, and I was immediately submerged in the water. On coming to the surface, I resolved in my danger to keep my presence of mind ; and to this I attribute my safe deliverance. I divested myself of all clothing save my trousers and shirt, and immediately struck out for the beach. On looking round, I SAW THE CAPTAIN TRYING TO GET ON THE TOP OF THE BOAT. I never saw him after that. After struggling some considerable time in the water (I should sny about three minutes), I managed to reach the shore. On looking round, I SAW THE TWO SEAMEN STEUGGLING HARD, and from their appearance I thought they were completely exhausted. They were distant from each other about four or live yards. I had heard, on a previous trip to Waitara in the cutter Mercury, that there were several Maori settlements in the neighbourhood; so I ran up and down i he beach, cooeying as hard as my strength would allow, in hopes of attracting attention, but I could get no reply. I wandered to and fro for about four hours, in the hope of seeing some of my mates come ashore, as I FELT VERY WRETCHED AND MISERABLE. I determined to go and sock assistance. After travelling about two miles in a northerly direction, I came to the Mokau River, where I found a Maori settlement. On satisfying them as to howl came there, they agreed to accompany me on thefollowing morning in search of my comrades. Wo remained the whole of Thursday on the beach, hut nothing came on shore save the boat, the clock, and a blanket. Night drawing on ns, the Maoris advised me to return with them to their settlement. On Friday, I again wont in search, but no result; so I pushed on for the White Cliffs, arriving at the foot of the Cliffs shortly after dark. At this time I was accompanied hy a native who, not knowing the proper track, deemed it advisable to camp on the beach for the night. The following morning at daybreak we started from the redoubt, arriving there shortly after breakfast. From the time of my leaving the vessel till my arrival at the Camp I WAS COLD AND FOOTSORE, having nothing on me but my shirt and trousers, and the blanket that had washed ashore. Every attention was shown me by Captain Rowan and the men under Ins command. A horse was provided me, and, accompanied by one of the .Constabulary, I pushed on for Waitara. I may here state that I was somewhat surprised to hear from Captain Rowan that the vessel had been towed into Waitara ; and I felt very sorry we had not remained by her, as in all probability, we should have been saved. I cannot conclude this statement without sincerely thanking both natives and Europeans for the great kindness shown me in my trouble ; but more especially to the Almighty, for His great goodness in sparing me from so untimely a death. .