IN A HURRICANE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 237, 25 February 1913, Page 5

IN A HURRICANE.

SCnoOXER'.S TRYING EXPERIENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland. Monday. The island steamer Atna, which arrived from the Pacific Islands last evening, brought news that a severe hurricane swept down on the Tongan group on the morning of February 10 with scarcely three minutes' warning. The hurricane was accompanied by torrential rain, which hurst upon Nukualofa. The American schooner Ho real is had arrived at the island port a few days previously, and was discharging a cargo of lumber. Captain F. Clintborn was aboard with ten officers and men. .Strenuous efforts were made, when the storm burst, to securely moor the vessel, but when it found impossible an attempt was made to take her out of the harbor. The schooner's moorings were unlashed. but no sooner had the ropes been loosened than the l vessel was lifted )>v the terrific seas and swept on to the reef which runs parallel with Nukualofa wharf. Tier stern struck the reef with tremendous force, and her rudder was driven upwards right through the hull. A mountainous sea again lifted the vessel and. stem-on. drove her back against the wharf. The impact was sufficient to smash into atoms several feet of the fcrro-concrete structure, and the stern of the vessel for twelve feet was broken clean awav. At this stage the crew were inclined to give themselves u]) as lost, but the captain ordered them to jump. Just as the vessel was being lifted by another big sea, some sprang on to the wharf. The remaining men were fortunately given amither chance to reach safety, for the wind again drove the vessel against ttie wharf. Before the sea had time to Like her mi to the reef they managed to scramble on to the wharf just in time as the vessel was being swept past, headiny: for the reef. The schooner was then driven on to (he reef, and (lames were seen about i a.m. issuing from the forecastle, where several oil lamps had been left l)iirnin<r by the crew, and which set lire to the ship. The flames secured a good hold, anil the vessel was burned to the water's edge whilst resting on a rugged part of the reef. By daylight practically nothing could be seen of the schooner, and she subsequently broke up.