THE INDRABARAH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 302, 15 May 1913, Page 5

THE INDRABARAH.

STILL NO CHANGE IN POSITION. THE SEA UNFAVORABLE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Marton, Wednesday. This morning the lndrabarah was practically in the same position, though now she is three-parts broadside on to the shore. Her smoke is rising straight up, indicating that there is no wind. The sea is very rough, but shows signs of abating. There are three connections by rope now with the shore, and messages are being transmitted by this means, instead of semaphoring. No tugs are in sight yet, but evidently the Terawhiti is expected, as she coaled at Castlccliir yesterday, and has all the necessary gear, it was too rough yesterday to get near. The members of the crew who are ashore are in good spirits. The sun is shining. SWEPT BY BIG ROLLERS. PROSPECTS OF FLOTATION DOUBTFUL. Marton, Last Night. There are many conjectures as to the distance the. lndrabarah lies from the shore. Some say 400 yards, and others 150 yards, but the vessel is somewhere near the former at high water, and lolling a good deal, with a list to starboard out to sea. All who have seen the vessel say she will never be towed off. There is a big sand bank some distance from the shore, and those who know consider that she is over this and between it and the shore. The vessel now lies broadside on, and pointing south towards the Rangitikei river. Big rollers are sweeping ber, the spray reaching over half-way up the funnel at high water. No tugs appeared to-day, but Mr. Daniels, the Union Company's engineer, went to the scene to-day with several tons of wire rope, etc., in readiness for the attempt to tow her off, which will be made, it is understood, on Saturday. A boat with a crew of three attempted to land provisions for the shore crew, but the boat almost turned turtle and had ' to return. One of the ropes was utilised for sending packages of clothing, tobacco, etc., to the shore crew, but although put in huge canvas and tarpaulin bags, the contents were saturated.. An unsuccessful attempt was also made to land water. The crew now have to walk a mile and a half to a creek. The second mate, Adcoek, was signalling and sending messages all day. "WANT ASSISTANCE." PUTIKI ON THE SCENE. OPINION OF CAPTAIN WAHLSTROM. Captain Wahlstrom, of the s.s. Putiki, in the course of an interview with a Wanganui "Chronicle" representative, expressed the opinion that unless he is much mistaken it will require two months' line weather, and the vessel to be well lightered, before the lndrabarah can be got off from the position she now holds. It appears that the Putiki was working from Westport to Foxton at the end of last week, and as it was impossible to get into the latter port on Friday, owing to a moderate westerly, the skipper altered his course to Kapiti, where he sought shelter. On his way he passed the lndrabarah on what he considered a safe course to Wanganui. On Saturday he left his anchorage for Foxton, but he found there was still a heavy sea running, and when he could not make the port with safety he was ordered to proceed on to Wanganui. At 12.30 on Saturday he sighted the Indraba rail' ashore in the Rangitikei Bight, flying a flag "Want assistance." He approached as as he could, and he was asked by the commander to proceed to Wanganui to obtain assistance.. He could see that the. ship was in a nice spot, and-in no danger of breaking up, so he c.irriod out Captain Hollingworth's instructions, ' but when he arrived at Wanganui lie, of course, ascertained that everything possible had been done for the'unfortunate vessel and the crrw. The lndrabarah. he saw, was carried in on the top of a high tide, with a wind that tended to make it still higher, and in his opinion each tide just now would make it more difficult for the vessel to be got off. He hoped that he was wrong, ami that the optimistic opinions concerning immediate refloating would be verilied. The ship, he added, was well up, with her bow facing the beach, and neither it nor the crew were in any danger. MOXSON'S EXPERIENCE. AS TOLD TO' A PALMERSTON PRESSMAN. The Manawatu Daily Times contains the following in the course of its notes on the disaster:— Monson himself told the story of what happened: "I had a terrible time in the water. I was there for about two hours, I believe. I managed to clutch an oar when I went over, but it wasn't much good to me. Swim! I couldn't swim in those breakers. All I could do was to keep afloat. Lots of times I thought I was gone. I never want to go through it again. I had quite given up hope of coming out alive. Talk about wireless! It's simply marvellous how thoughts flash through your bead when you're drowning. Then 1 can't tell you how wonderful the feeling was; I suddenly saw a man near me, and when he got hold of me I felt—well, I don't know how!" Mouson's companion said that what really happened was that when the boat got ashore and was hauled up, Mr. Adcock stripped and, attaching a life-line ' to his body, strode off into the breakers for Monson. who could lie seen floating ! off parallel to the beach, buffeted by the ; waves. Mr. Adcoek battled gamely, ] though his task seemed hopeless, They held the line, and directed him time and ' again to where Monson could be seen ! floating. After nearly an hour's heroic battling, Monson was washed nearer in ' shore, and Mr. Adcoek was able to make ' over to him and reach him. '