SINKING OF THE HIPPOLAS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 246, 23 November 1909, Page 3

SINKING OF THE HIPPOLAS.

STOEY OF THE DISASTER. A MISSING BEACON. AT JACKSON'S HEAD. jjy Telegraph.—Press Association. Picton, Monday. The local steamer Elsie arrived at Picton' on Sunday afternoon with the master and crew of the wrecked barque Hippolas. Captain Thomas Norris, interviewed, said the barque in ballast left Timaru for Havelock on 17th November. When Hearing Cape Campbell a north-west gale hampered her progress, and it took lier four days to reach Cloudy Bay. The captain anchored and reported to headquarters. He started again on Thursday, but put bacK through stress Of weather. On Friday the barque left the bay al 8 p.m., and got off The Brothers at 1.30 a.m. on Saturday. After passing Cook's Rock he looked anxiously for tho guiding beacon am Jackson's Head light. The weather was thick, and the fact, rf there being no light caused him uneasiness. At 2.25 the man on the look-out cried "Hard up!" and Hie helm responded. But the barque did r.3t pay off quickly enough, and struck heavily on Walker's Rock. The ship was under easy sail at the time. The captain called all hands on deck, and ordered the boats to be got in readiness. He went down below and found th? water making fraelv la the bow. Th 'n he made for Guard's Bank, and enme to anchor in ten fathoms of water. There was then six feet of water in the hold. He burned flare 'ighta and sent up rocket distress signals 'rom the time of striking till-the vessel anchored. The crew was anxious to leave, as she had a big list* to starboard. Mibsequenuly all went ashore in the boats at Titirangi. . He tried to send word by telegraph or telephone, but failed, and was lot picked up till the foil )V7ing morning. The crew are being well caTcd for privately at Picton. Following are the names:— Master, T. Norris. Hate, Ashley Thorpe. Second mate, E. Cox. Cook, A. Heigh. A.B.V —H. Badham, 0. Whitton, Thinffiurn, C. Albertson, T. Ifogan, S. Fletcher, C. McGregor. The skip's papers, some provisions, and personal effects were taken ashore.