THE INDRABARAM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5, 12 May 1913, Page 5

THE INDRABARAM.

Ullß POSITION UNALTERED BUMPING A GOOD DEAL. [Per Pre-s Association. 1

Wanganui, May 11

Tlie vessel is now lying stern on to tlio sea, and is reported to hold out every prospect of ro-floating. The Indrabarah was bound from Gisborne for Wanganui to load frozen meat. She was duo about 9 p.m. on Friday, and is reported to have arrived oil the roadstead, but the weather being very dirty put to sea again, and at four o’clock next morning took the beach. The land in the vicinity is very low-lying, with broad belts of sandhills, and at night is very hard to discern. It is estimated that the steamer is lying nearly half a mile from shore on a sandy bottom. She is said to bo lying as though at anchor, with steam up. At six o’clock on Saturday morning a farmer observed distress signals, and went to the beach in that direction. He saw rockets. It was then fairly dark, but he could just make out a boat’s crew pulling tu the shore from the helpless liner. The boat had a crew of ten, who landed after a perilous trip over the intervening breakers, which rolled

iii with great force before a westerly. One man named Andrew Monson, a stevedore, was washed out of the boat, and had it not been for the efforts of tlnjj second mate, Hancock, would assuredly have been drowned. Monson was thrown an oar, which ho grasped, and for two hours a battle and strife for life continued. With awe those on the lndrabarah watched the struggle. It Was then that Hancock performed his deed of heroism. Despite the bitterness of the gale and the greater peril to which he was subjecting himself, lie stripped and, affixing a life-line, plunged into the raging surf. After almost superhuman efforts he gallantly rescued his comrade, who had by this time drifted well to the southward. Monson was on the Star of Canada at the time of her wreck. He says that this was the closest call he ever experienced. Hancock was much lexhausted, but was able to walk to the nearest farmhouse (Dalrymple’s), while Monson had to bo on horseback, and afterwards taken to Dulls for medical treatment. The settlers displayed great hospitality, and the unfortunate sailors were supplied with tents and food. They have pitched camp in a sheltered position, and the second officer and crew are standing by and will return to the vessel as soon as the sea moderates.

Since landing, there has been no communication with the vessel. The first report received in Wanganui stated that the Indrabarah was being pounded by heavy seas, and was breaking up fast. She was then lying broadside on and bearing the full weight of the rolling ocean. This report is altogether wrong, for the Tndraharah is weathering very well, though there is a danger fo her sinking into the sand. A STORMY EXPERIENCE. Gisborne, May 11. The wrecked Indrabarah has experienced very stormy weather during her coastal loading. She arrived at Gisborne last Sunday afternoon, during a howling southerly, and was forced to shelter under Young Nick’s Heal until the following day, when o-argo loading was proceeded with under such difficulties, however, that though the vessel was expected to sail for Wanganui on Wednesday, she ultimately did not get away until Thursday afternoon. Tho Tyser Company is having a particularly had run of luck, as it is barely ten months ago since their ill-fated Star of Canada was wrecked here.

THE NAPIER CARGO. \ Napier, May 11. Tho Indrabarah’s cargo from Napier is 43,000 carcases of mutton, 700 casks of tallow, 400 bales of wool, and 205 bales of flax. NEWS PER BOTTLE MAIL. Marton, May 12. The position of the Indrabarah is unaltered this morning. Yesterday a bottle was picked up containing a message which was read to Captain Rayney, Marine Department, and stated “Sunday.—Ship humping a good deal. We. shall work the engines again ; had to stop steam At 5 a.m. ship “slewed” a bit to head. Tanks Nos. 1,2, and (3, and boiler from tanks have been pumped out since stranding. The draught on leaving Gisborne was 18 feet G inches and 21 feet (this would appear to indicate respectively the draught at stern and head, as the forward holds were chiefly used at Gisborne). Both propellers are damaged. The holds , remain dry. All hands are well. We + ic l hard last night (Saturday) to get off. A boat got adrift this morning. Have sent other bottles. Assistance is urgently needed. Could not put out anchors with our boats as there io too much swell. Tanks pumped in all 550 tons, making a difference of eleven inches.”—Signed; Hollingsworth.

Another bottle message has been received from one of the crew stating that the vessel is humping and shaking a good deal, and ho hoped to he ashore soon.

The vessel is being gradually driven in hv a big sea.

A big crowd visited the scene yesterday. The members of the crew ashore are well cared for.