A SCHOONER ASHORE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 21 May 1907, Page 2

A SCHOONER ASHORE

PROBABLE TOTAL WltiX'K. ALL HAXUS SAFE. Per Press Association. Wellington. May 31. I lie vessel which went ashore, at M'Uia. Inland during the recent heavy southerly gale, proved to be the smart lit He nciioouer Emma sjmm», of 111 tons register, owned by .Mr. K. G. I'ilther, of Wellington. I '.ie schooner was bound from Brooklyn Bay, Pelorus Sound, to LyUelloil. \vi li a cargo of Umber consigned to Mensrs. lieece and liudd. of Chrislclmvi ii She was under the. command of Captain MacDonuld, and the complement of sailors was four. The F.mina Simms cleared the Sounds on Saturday, 11th, and got up to Cape Campbell on Sunday evening at 5.40.

Then the boat commenced to run in with the stormy weather, and eventually Iho (-itptuiii put into Worser Bav fe'r shelter, and left on the Kith May at 8.30 p.m.. with it six-knot breeze. Once outside, however, the vessel was the plaything of the lierce southerly wind, which varied eight points between south-west and south-east, and its moods were most, malicious.

The captain finally tried to take shelter under Cape Terawhiti. All he could do was to reach Mana Island, and he just ina/iaged to get inside the southeastern rocks. lie was forced to anchor five and half cable lengths out, or go ashore, lie let go both anchors, forty-live fathoms on the starboard side, and fifteen fathoms on the port, hut the lines apparently failed to hold the vessel off the rocks. At 1.30 on Saturday morning the schooner struck, swinging broadside on to the rocks.

Signals of distress were hoisted, but nothing could be done from the shore owing to the high sea running, and assistance vas asked from Wellington. The Hinemoa was despatched by the Marine Department, and she returned to Wellington this afternoon with the members of the crew, all of whom had reached the island iu safety. The Emma Simms is not insured, and it is believed, will become a total wreck. The owner and a salvage party leave for the scene of the wreck in the. morning, in an endeavor to save as much as possible. Whether the cargo is insured or not is not known here. Later.

The crew of the Emma Simms had a difficult time in getting ashore on Saturday morning. At 5.30, while it was yet dark and misty, one, of the men, Munro, endeavored to get ashore. A lifebelt was put around him, and a couple of lines were lixed so that Ue could be pulled back when in distress.

He went over the side, and immediately disappeared. Then a voice was heard, "For God's sake, haul me in," and his mates tugged him back to the vessel. After a rest, Monro determined to make another attempt, though he was strongly counselled to remain on the schooner. For a time he fought his way to hard ground, and after half an hour's rest he was able to assist his mates to land.

A line was got ashore, and Munro made it fast around a rock, thus enabling the other three sailors to creep to safety.

The captain, however, stuck to his ship for many hours alone. Huge seas were breaking over the vessel, but he would not budge while a ray of hope remained. In the end he, too, was forced to join his crew on the dreary island, where they had to shiver in their sodden clothes till the Hinemoa came to the rescue.

Captain Mac Donald lays some blame on the Government regulations for the present plight of the Emma Simms. As an auxiliary oil engine is installed, the vessel is required to carry a certificated mate if it is desired to supplement the sails with mechanical power. The master was detained in Wellington for ten days trying to get a certificated man, but none would come for the salary, which he considered good, £l2 a month. One man did appear, but vanished when he heard that the vessel was mainly worked l>v sail.

Before the vessel left port that time the Government officer sealed down the works, and later on the captain shipped the idl. propeller, for it. was serving only the purpose of catching weeds. This regulation, and the belief that the starboard cable snapped, are held responsible by the muster for the striking of (he vessel. The. master gives all possible praise to his men. He says that they behaved splendidly throughout a trying voyage, and in the final crisis. The lifeboat of the l'huuia Simms \v;us stove in by the great rollers. Captain Bullous, of (he Hinemoa. which went to the rescue of the Emma Simms, says the vessel is in a hopeless position. She is ashore on a roeity bottom, broadside on to the south-eastern side of the island.

The Hiuemoa left Wellington for the scene of the wreck at 11.30 last night, and arrived oil' the island-at -i o'clock this morning. After locating the wreck, n boat was sent ashore, and the captain of the F.mma.Simms and the two seamen and a boy, who constituted the crew, were taken on board the Hinemoa without difficulty. Since their vessel had been ashore, the wrecked mariners had been made comfortable on the island. The captain and crew lost practically the whole of their personal effects. Captain Bollons examined the wreck, and found her bottom in a very bad way. He considered there would he no possible chance of doing anything with her, but a number of things, including gear, could be saved, if prompt action was taken. A heavy sea was running at the island, and the vessel was working considerably at low tide. In two or three tides, he does not think there would he much left of her. '^WR None of the crew suffered from exposure, hut the captain's old complaint, of ague has been somewhat aggravated.