THE WINDSOR WRECK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 44, 11 February 1908, Page 3

THE WINDSOR WRECK.

bt'EMVuKS' UKATHIC XAKIEATJ V fc. Perth, February 10. The Windsor lias completely disapi pored. Most of the boat* were washed away after the first contingent of tlic crew had landed. Xiskolsoo, an apprentice, who wa> the la* to leave tut ship, tells the story thus:— "A» we bad no further boat-, it was impossible to gain the reef. Captain Walters gave orders to endeavor to float tinea attached to gratings ashore ut order to establish communication .With those on the reef. He also fired rockets attached to the signal halvards. but all of these fell short.

"The chief engineer made attempts to swim ashore with the line. After a desperate struggle he succeeded in gaining a footing on the reef; but, exhausted with his efforts, he w*i carried away by the backwash. He was then carried oat to tea, and drowned in view of all hands.

"Shortly afterward* the funnel fell by the board. It ni seen that the vessel's back was broken. By this time tre ■endow seas were thundering over the deck*. All bands were dinging to lineon the bridge. At about four in the altenfcxm the mainmast went by the boani and wu washed ashore. "All this time the second and third officer! had remained on the reef. Tliey were powerless to render assistance. At sunset the third officer left for the "Captain Walter s and the mate remaiard in the saloon, but the rest of the crew and apprentices stayed forward. "Coming up on deck the following (Mailing, we found all the after part of the v-9»*l up to the foremast had broken up, and been washed on to the reef. The captain and mute were l»«t with the wreckage. Next morning a jmrtv scarcned the shore fur tbeir bodies, but without result. "We took refuge in one of tliu de. k houses and again endeavored to float lines ashore. The rescue party also attempted to reach us with rockets. A' couple of them fell over the ship, but the lines broke. The Chinese with us appeared to become paralysed with fear and expolure. . mi. %• "AH the time wc kept boys tolling the bell to attract attention. When we saw the rescue party leave at sunset we gave up all hope, and remained at night huddled in the forecastle. "Next morning the Chinese took their pigtails down and prayed to their josses (gods) for the wind and sea to subside. Then they turned into their bunks and commenced waQißg. "About an hour after, the Chinese cook attempted to commit suicide with Up to this time we had been without water, and two Chinese commenced drinking salt water. "The sea was now sweeping completely orer the veusel, which was rapidly breaking up, the forecastle befog gutted. "In the afternoon a Chinese trimmer lashed himself to a plank and jumped into the surf, saying he might as well 'die that way as remain on the ship. The snrf carried him in, and, after he had been carried out again some distance, the seas carried him on to the reef, where he was rescued. "All the others followed his example, and were washed ashore in an exhausted condition. The rescued, up to their ampits m lhe surging water, remained on the teef all night, and were taken to the Wand in the morning.