Struck By Squall

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 268, 2 February 1928, Page 1

Struck By Squall

STEAMER DRIVEN ASHORE WRECK AT OCEAN ISLAND Si) Cable. —Press Association. — Copyright. SYDNEY. Wednesday. Advice has been received that the ateamer Ocean Transport is a total wreck on Ocean Island. The ship was loading phosphates when •he was struck by a sudden squall and driven ashore. The crew landed safely. THE vessel had been lying at anchor in Home Bay since January 10, awaiting a berth and opportunity to land phosphate for Australia. She was about a quarter of a mile from the edge of the reef when a squall struck her, and was moored to a buoy ready tor loading. The Ocean Transport is a vessel of S. tons, owned by the Empire Transport Company, of England, and under charter to Andrew Weir and Company. She was in Auckland on September 5 last year. The mooring ground at Ocean Island is over a great depth of water, and is exposed to southerly Winds. It was a squall from this quarter that caught the vessel before she could be moved out to sea. Being unloaded, she was difficult to control. The crew remained on board all day, and desperate but unavailing efforts were made to get her afloat. She is resting on the reef in front cf the boat sheds. Captain J. N. Organ was in command of the Ocean Transport, and had with him the following officers: First, Mr. R. S. Griggs: second, Mr. N. E. Periton; third, Mr. C. J. Lee; chief engineer, Mr. J. Smith; second, Mr. E. Bird: third, Mr. R. Lee; fourth, Mr. B Willis: wireless operator, Mr. T. J. Paterson. The ship’s complement numbers about 37. Temporary accommodation was found on shore for the men.