WRECK OF THE MACLEAY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 97, 14 October 1911, Page 5

WRECK OF THE MACLEAY

STORY OF THE SUIU IVORS. OXLY TWO SAVED. by Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, October 13. The MacLeay was en route from Sydney to the Clarence River with a small general cargo, including three horses.

Petersen, who had the wheel at the time of the disaster, states that the chief officer had just relieved the second officer. He called the officer's attention to something white abeam. The officer declared it was only a school of fish. In another instant the steamer, which was going about nine knots, struck.

The captain rushed on deck, and ordered an attempt to be made to beach her. The helm swung round, and the vessel slid sideways off the rock, and in ten minutes she heeled over and sank. The boats had been swung out, preparatory to launching, but swung back as she heeled over, and could not be launched. All aboard were thrown struggling into the water. Petersen got on some hurdles. Everyone was crying out, and the excitement was increased by a number of horses struggling in the water. The steward got hold of a horse's tail, and afterwards climbed on the hurdle. Petersen was thirteen hours in the water. All through a long cold night he clung to the hurdle. When the moon rose he saw Swanney and another man on some hurdles tied together. When the morning broke they were close to the surf. In the breakers the two men were washed off Swanney's raft, and as they were too exhausted to help themselves, were drowned. The two survivors were terribly spent, but managed to struggle ashore.

The scene of the wreck was one of the Cabbage Tree Rocks where the steamer Oakland was lost some years ago. Those missing are: Donald Keith, master; Goldsmith, chief officer; McLean, second officer; Tarleton, first engineer; Cowing, second engineer; Alexander, lamp trimmer; Joins, steward, Meechan, cook; Jahlin, Drevar, Tabell, Hansen, Joyce, seamen; Mbnks, Killen, firemen. FIVE BODIES RECOVERED. Received 13, 10.30 p.m. Sydney. October 13. Five bodies have been recovered from the MacLeay. Tabell did not sail. His place was taken .by a seaman named McKenzie, who is amongst the missing.

Peterson, one of the saved, who was at the wheel, states that the captain instructed him to steer north-east. When the mate took command he ordered him to alter the course to north by east. A few minutes later she struck the rock.