BATTLE IN SURF

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 379, 14 November 1932, Page 5

BATTLE IN SURF

(Press Assn.-

SOME NARROW ESCAPES • AMONG JAGGED ROCKS A SCHOONER CHARTERED

— By Telegrapli— Copyright)

Sydney, Novembex 12. There has been no loss of life as the result of the wreck of the Southern Gross. - . / ; The vessel ran on a reef during a squall at Aneityum whieh is notorious for its jagged eoral reefs. She struck the rocks in pouring rain at 3.15 a.m. • . .. • >• . , All the deck cargo was swept overboard. A stud boar which was on deck was beheaded. : The first boat launehed • was smashed and the crew were unable to launch the other. An officer swam ashore with a line through ab'Oiit 150 yards of boiling surf and eoral. The trip took over half an hour. Later another line was sent ashore. s Some of the crew were able to swim and were helped ashore and rescued, where necessary, by other whites. One passenger tried to get ashore along the line which broke. The captain, who was in his pyjamas and dressing- own, dived in' to his- rescue. The man tried to elut'ch him as he was unable to swim. The captain removed his dressing gown and knoeked him out. He then managed to get the man ashore where two gallons of water were shaken out of him. The captain and three officers were in the water for three hours directing and helping the rescue operations. The captain chartered a * local schooner and p^oceeded towards ; Aneityum where he desired to pick up , a crew to go to the Solomon Islands, whence he purposes to return with a i ship. The captain sheltered at Eromanga till 3. o'clock yesterday owing to strong winds. He then made Vila, the capital of the New Hebrides, in a lannch with following winds in the record time of 12 hours under engine and sail, being soaked all the time.