ANOTHER SCHOONER WRECKED

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8161, 20 July 1906, Page 2

ANOTHER SCHOONER WRECKED

FIVE LIVES LOST. DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE. A.NXIETST FOR OTHER CRAFT. PKB BBEBB ASSOCIATION. Gisboenb, July 19. Mr A. T. Ngata, from Pori Awanui, telegraphed this afternoon to the Chief Postmaster atGisborne: "It ii reported by Maoris who bays just crossed the Waiapu river from Eas Cape that a three masted schooner was wrecked there on Monday night or Tuesday. The name is; Star Henry or Sir Henry. None was sated. There were supposed to be fin on board Three were seen on a plank, and were | washed off."

The Sir Henry was bound from Auckland to, Napier with hard Wood timber. She sheltered in Tolaga Bay on Sunday and Monday, and when the wind came in from the eastward en Monday eyeaing, she beat oat of the bay, taking two hours hard battling to do so. The fearful storm made the Tolaga peoplo anxious, and they telegraphed as to her safety. LATEB. The line connecting with the East Oape being down, information iB not obtainable direct regarding the wreck of the Sir Henry, but the following report was obtained to-night from jjr Ngata, M.H.R, at Port Awanui: "All our lines being down, information has had to be brought by message across the ferry. The particulars availably are as follows: At 7.30 a.m. on 17th July, the Sir Henry was struck by a heavy sea, when about one and a half miles off the East .Cape. It 'is impossible to say how many men were on board, but [three men were seen on the Tuesday morning, and there may still be bodies m the hold of the vessel. A big wave washed the three men over* board, and of these, two were seen on a plank struggling desperately for life. They got within about a quarter of a mile of the Island when a big vraTe struck the plank, and another of the men was washed off. The third man made frantic struggles, but he, too, after a great light for life, was washed off. No bodies have been discovered. The vessel is close in, opposite the Cape, sinking in sand. Mr Hansen, of Teararoroa, visited the plaoe! this morning, and reports that no bodies have been found. The vessel is full of timber, which may be saved if prompt action is taken, and instructions m re- : gard thereto are now being awaited, The vessel is bottom upwards. An effort will be made to-morrow to see if any bodies are aboard." Mr Ngata adds that his information is that the vessel was going north, in which case she must have been running bad again.

Information as to the whereabout? of tho schooners Waiapu and Xaeo, and the scow May (the latter bound from Auckland to Tokomaru), it sought. The anxiety about the vessels that were sheltering is the greater, because during the storm the wind was very changeable at times, LIST OP THE DHOW.N ED. Aursr.AKfi, July 10. The Sir ifenry left Auckland fo Napier about July loth. The crew consisted of Captain J. Goomes (age 4.7), seamen E. Quiun, A.B. (age 32), Adolf I'ichter, A.B. (age 22), and Antos Callas, A.B, (age 37). All belong to Auckland,

The schooner was ~95 tons'gross measurement, being 90x1ft. by 20xSft. beam and 6x7 foot deep. She was surveyed in Lyttelton three years ago. Although a small craft, she was seaworthy, and was considered a very useful type of ressol. The Sir ftemy left Auckland last Thursday morning at 8.30, at the same time as the illfated Aotea, and the boats wore expected to accompany one another down the coast, She was bound for Napier with a cargo of timber and pipes, and as far as is known neither boat nor cargo is insured. Captain Goomes had the reputation of being one of the most cautious and thorough skippers on the coast, and was merer known to run his vessel into unnecessary danger. Captain Groomes' wife and child reside in Welleslcy street, Auckland. Palmebston North, Juno 19.

A local Arm of sanitary engineers, Kolben and Kirk, had 150 tons of drain pipes on board the Sir Henry. The loss will not fall on them, howeyer, lot the consignment was f.o.b. Napier. E. 0. Clark and Sons, Auckland, were the consignors.