THE LOCH KATRINE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 384, 9 May 1910, Page 4

THE LOCH KATRINE

BARQUE HAS TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. BOAT'S C.REW TELL THE STORY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received May !), 12.20 a.m. Melbourne, May 8. A boat's crew of the Loch Katrine arrived to-day .by the steamer Tasmania. The Loch Katrine fell in with a violent hurricane at the eastern entrance to Bass straits four days after Icavhg Melbourne. The lioat in which the me.-, left the vessel was the only one liol smashed by falling masts. Smith, the chief officer, and Marshall, th< second oiricer. and five seamen formed the crew when the boat left the Loch Katrine, which was drifting approximately about ten miles per day in a circle near latitude 39 south longitude liiO east. The Loch Katrine left on April 23, whesi a gale came on in a ■perfect frenzy. The ship strained heavily. and the captain made for the open seas off Cape Howe. A squall of tremendous force struck the ship. fene •heeled over and the main topmast carried away, leaving only the -main lower mast and the main yard standing. It was a wicked night, but the crew w( rked desperately to clear the wreckage.

When the lower main mast 'snapped off three feet from the deck, it rolled the vessel so badly that the mainmast rolled over the side to starboard anil threatened to bump uirough the side. In its fall it carried away the lee fore braces, which sustained the yards of the foremast. The yards, swinging round like teetotums, 'became unmanageable. Before the crew could get rid of the fallen mainmast the foretopmast came down. Next morning the mizzentop eraslied down. The vessel was thus left with only the mizzen lower mast standing, the foremast having tumbled on the deck, smashing the deckhouse and pumps, and destroying four boats. The weather began to moderate on April 28, and efforts were made to sail the ship with canvas rigged oil the mizzen lower mast. A gaff was rigged in place of the foremast, Ibut no steerage way could be got.

On tiie second day after dismastment the torque sighted a ship, hut failed to attract its notice.

The captain and the chief officer decided that the only thing possible was to send off the remaining boat. Volunteers were called for, and a!I hands volunteered.

A boat left with ten days' provisions tr> make the land, which was 150 miles away. On May 0 she sighted On bo Island, and was afterwards seen b;- the Tasmania and the crew taken ahonrl. A tug was despatched from Melbourne to-day in search of the barque.