SUNK IN THE SOUNDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 245, 22 November 1909, Page 3

SUNK IN THE SOUNDS.

ABANDONED BARQUE IN TOW. TAKAPUNA LOSES A PRIZE. NO SIGN OF THE CREW, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Takapuna, which arrived to-day from Nelson, via Pictoii, picked up the barque Hippalos, in ballast, at 3 p.m. on Saturday on the Jackson's Heads side of the French Pass. The Hippalos had 6ft of .water in her. She was Hying signals "Immediate assistance," and when boarded by the chief officer and a party of her crew, she was found to be deserted. There was every indication that she had been left in a hurry. The barque's boats and the belongings of the crew had gone. The Takapuna used the barque's wire line and her own hawser, and as a safeguard slipped one oi the barque's anchors and heaved ihe other on board.. and commenced to tow. This she did for five hours, when the water in th 3 barque gained rapidly on th e ship's pump. The Hippolas gave an ugly lurch, which acted as a warning to the crew on board her from the Takapuna. All hands took to their boats, and the alarm was sounded to the Takapuna to cease towing as the barque was sinking. Captain Stewart stood by, at the stern of the Takapuna, and with a hatchet severed the town lines just as the Hippalos took her final plunge. She sank opposite Pig Island homestead, within three-quarters of an hour's run to Picton, in 35 fathoms of water. The Takapuna's crew doing duty on the Hippolas had just time to leap over into the steamer's boat alongside before the Hippolas disappeared bow first. It is believed the barque's crew have reached one of the homesteads in the Sounds or may have been picked up by some steamer. The Hippolas was bound from Timani to Kaipara in ballast. Shs was commanded by Captain Norris. formerly of the barqnentine Jap. Captain Norris joined the Hippolas recently at Clarence River. THE CREW SAFE. Wellington, Last Night. The crew of the Hippolas were picked up by the steamer Elsie and landed at ' "ton all well. They report fliat the Hippolas 6truck Walker Rock at 2 o'clock on Saturday morning, and immediately commenced to make water "rapidly. The crew therefore left to seeß Shortly after they saw the Takapuna take the barque an tow.