WRECK OF THE OAKLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 128, 30 May 1903, Page 2

WRECK OF THE OAKLAND.

TWO OFFICERS MB FROM EXPOBUBI SEVERAL DROWNED. FEB TBESS ASSOCIATION. Receive! 29, 2 34 pm. Stdsbt, May 29. The Oakland foundered off Cabbage Tree Island while trying to enter Port Stephens, at 4 a.m. on Wednesday. A. terrific s <a was running, wh%n the crtwtook the b a s. Tin captain and engineer died from exposure in the boa*. The following lives werelcs 1 .: -dap'-. Slatler, the first mate, tint and second engineer?, cook, steward's boy, and time fir.men. Tbe following were awed: -A passenger named 0 litep, Homes the seewd ma'e, Isteraon, Jacobsoo, Oblson,Holn», and Wyllbery seamen. The captain of the B llinger states that the sea was too he ivy to enter Port Stepheu?, so he d aided to shelter at Long Island, He then sighted a boat with seven men. Having previously bigh'.ed wreckage, he kept a good look out He got close to the uoat and rescued the men, all of whom were exhausted. Received 29, 10.2 p.m. tiTDHsr, M«y 29. The namea of the downed are: Captain SI iter, 0. L<ndgrea the first mate, A. Fscher first enginee r , B. Steele second engineer, J. B. Bradbery cook, A. Gargill s'eward'* boy, A. It Brook*, S. Wiloock, and T. Uodder firempn, A. Ma'.son and J. W. Johnson seamen.

Received 30,1.10 s.m S3DBET, W.AJ 29. Details of the foucdring of the Oakland are incomplete. According to the sutvivors, as soa as the Oakland got outtid* Newoas 1) Harbour, the sea commenced breaking over the bulwarks, and flooding the well deck*. Soon after Fort Sepheu'd light was pissed, the vessel took a lis? to put, and gradually the list became worse. The Captain decided to make for Fort Stephens, and ran before the sea, trying to enter the port, but with snob. a ;he\vy lis', the ship woull no' steer, and was at the mercy of the wares. After beating abou 1 . for some time she took a sudden plunge and sink bead first in 16 fathoms of water.

Before the catastrophe occurred the life boats were with great difficulty got over the side, but the violence of tne sea knocked a o upla of holes ie. the side. At this time the crew were able to walk onths up-turned side of the steamer, the iunnel just touching the water.

All hands got into the lifeboat, whkh opMzed on touching the Water, at which time the «tea mar sank and all were thrown out. Some succeeded la getting back, but thi chief effieer, three firemen and seamen were drowned. The watertight compartments kept tbs boat afloat, and she was righted. The second engineer swam round tbs lifeboat and secured oars, Some of the survivor* go; in and trial to propel it, -. others being on the life lines, but it was hopeless as the rowlocks were useless. The wind and water being icy oold and the sea rough soon had an effeot,

The fist to succumb was Mr Bradbery and his body was thrown ontboard to relieve the weight. A tew minutes afterwards the chief engineer and cabin bjy breathed their last. Tot condition of tbe csptiin, who was dialling to tbe life lino, was very sn-ious. He was lifted into the b?at and fir a couple of hours his supplications for h : i wife were pittom, his mind being apparently ujhingud, and death at Ust coming as a relief to his terribl* suffericgs.