SHIPPING DISASTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81918, 21 February 1907, Page 4

SHIPPING DISASTERS.

,SHIPS WRECKED IX A SNOW STORM.

A thrilling story ot a Christmas

shipwreck on the dreaded Goodwin Sand's was told at Kamsgate by Captain S. T. Eaneens, who, With U of h,s crew, was landed at that povl by the local and Broud»tairs lifeboats. His ship was the Uegia, 4!li> toils, bound from Riga t" Barry with tnnb.'i". She had ail eventful voyage, having met with bad weather, as may be judged from the bald statement that she was one month and 28 days out from liiga. At 5 o'clock on the afternoon of Christmas Day, after she had run in to a thiek fog, a severe snowstorm was encountered!, and 'the wind increas. , into a full gale. It was quite impassible in such furious weather to make out even tlie most familiar l.ghts or landmarks, and the Regia, grop ng helplessly along, ultimately drove right on to the Goodwins.

Slue soon heeled over so dangerously that it became necessary to cut away the mainmast, and this work, which is always hazardous, was carried out despite the great waves which constantly dished over the doomed ship. Meantime the storm increased in fury and matters were further complicated by blinding blasts of snow and sleet, which continued for several nuurs.

The cold was so intense that several of the crew—all hardy X'orsemen or sturdy Finns—were unable to carry out the master's orders. The dangers of the situation were further increase I by the deck cargo or wood getting loot-e and washing from end to end of Ui-j vessel, rendering all movement aboard extremely perilous. For hours the waves practically made a clean sweep of the deck, aud the water and spray froze upon the bodies af the sailors. The mate, mimed Aslakson, received a severe wouud in 'the face as the masts and rigging went by the board. Others ot tho crew soon showed s gns of collapse, and one mail died of exposure. Eventually the captain determined to take the desperate course of leaving the wreck m the ship's two boats.

it seemed almost certain death to venture upon the fctorm tossed sea in open boats, but it was almost equally fatal to remain on board the liegui, which might commence to break up at any moment. The boats were accordingly got out with infinite difficulty, and the injured and more exhausted men having first been safely got 011 board the little craft cast off.

Snow was still falling heavily, and the sea was extremely rough. Captain Eanscns and his men passed through a terrible experience before 3 o'clock iu the morning, when they were able to make out the 1 glits of the East-Goodwin light vessel, at the sigiit of which the suffering castaways gavj a feeble cheer. The poor {fellows, however, still had two„ hours ha id pulling before they reached the ligut vessel and climbed on board.

Meantime the Ram-gate tug Aid and the lifeboats from Kamsgate and Broadstairs had to put oil* to the lightship in response to signals. The Hamsgate boat took off seven men and the Broadstairs boat five, and returned safelv to harbour.

All the shipwrecked mariners were landed in a state of great physical distress, and one man was so ill that he had to be removed without delay to the local Seaman's Infirmary, while the others were cared for at the Sailor's Home.

The Regia, when her crew ieft her was fast breaking up.