WRECK OF THE TURANGA.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1921, Page 5

WRECK OF THE TURANGA.

INQUEST ON THE CAPTAIN.

SOME INCIDENTS RETOLD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

An inquest was held at Mokau before the Coroner (Mr. S. Whitehead) on May 11 concerning the death of Captain Ernest F. Stearne, of the ill-fated Turanga, which was lost when approaching Mokau. The following were empanelled as jurymen:—Messrs. E. Sampson, H. P. Hansen, R. Patterson, and J. L. Macdonald (foreman).

Mr. A. E. Jaggs, shipping agent, Waitara, deposed to having seen the Turanga leave that port in change of Captain Stearne for Makau.

Engineer Dave Scott and able seaman Len Smith (survivors) testified to the wreck of the boat on the Mokau tar in the early morning of April 29. Roy Goddard, also a survivor, testified to having seen the captain clinging to what appeared to be the rudder, after the boat struck.

Mr Geo. Dixon, station manager, deposed to finding the body of deceased floating in the surf on the Pioi beach at midday on May 9. . The jujry brought in the following verdict: “That deceased* Captain Ernest F. Stearne, met his death by drowning in the wreck of the Tauranga on the Mokau bar on the morni|ng of April 29.”

The funeral of the late Captain E. F. Stearne took place at Mokau on the afternoon of the 11th inst. A large number of settlers from Mokau, Awakino and Mohakatino districts attended, as well as friends from Waitara and Plymouth. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and covered with beautiful wreaths. Mr. A. E. Jaggs, of the Anglican Church, Waitara, officiated at the graveside. A few incidents in connection with the wreck of the Turanga are worth recording When young Roy'Goddard was battling in the waves, and had almost given up hope, Engineer Scott stimulated him to fresh efforts by shout, ing out to him not to give in, as they were almost on shore, and to further aid him shoved a piece of wreckage over to cling to. After this they became separated, and upon reaching shore Scott was himself exhausted and not in a fit state to make a search. By this time, however, seaman Smith, after much buffeting in the surf, landed, and was just about to move inland from the beach when he heard a faint cry for help. Straining his eyes he esni*d voung Gocdard still in the surf, and in danger of the undertow dragging him back into deep water. Without hesitation he rushed to Goddard’s assistance. Had he not been a man of powerful physique Smith would not only have failed to extricate Goddard from his perilous position, but in all probability would have lost his own life in the attempt. It is in times such as this the best in a man is drawn out, and of Smith it can truly be said, “he is of the stuff of which heroes are made.”

Dave Scott, all but exhausted, made his way slowly but surely up the cliffs, and to the dwelling of Mr. and Mrs. L. Black, where he received every attention. Seaman Smith, through having to assist young Goddard (who was on the verge of collapse), could only get along painfully and laboriously by a narrow track leading up the face of the cliff, until he finally reached Mr. and Mrs. Allen Sampson’s house. These good people likewise did all in their power to succour the half-drowned i;nen, and to their untiring attention can be attributed their early recovery. Upon the news of the wreck being carried round to the residents by Constable Blaikie, a search party was formed to patrol the sea beach and sand hills adjoining, io endeavor to find some trace of the captain, who was only seen once (by Goddard] after the vessel capsized. No trace of him was discovered, though the beach was strewn with wreckage for a distance of foui miles, and this within ah hour and a half after the vessel broached to. The search continued till daylight, when other parties took it in turn throughout the day and following davs.