SCENE AT THE WRECK.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1922, Page 5

SCENE AT THE WRECK.

THE SEA VERY ROUGH. TERRIBLE STATE OF WRECKAGE. ASSISTANCE IMPOSSIBLE. Auckland, Last Night. A Herald reporter on the tug states that when they passed Cape Colville at 9.30 a.m. mountainous waves and driving fierce squalls were encountered. She reached the Wiltshire at noon, and despite the danger stood close in. The Wiltshire struck on a reef about her length from the cliff, along which foaming breakers dash. The forepart of the Wiltshire has evidently stuck hard, with a list to starboard, and the back is broken clean in two. The after part, from just aft of the bridge, is swinging with the wash of the seas and at an angle from the rest. Several men were clustered on the forecastle head and the look-out bridge, and more are below it. No signals were made from the wreck. Two lifeboats were visible in their davits on the starboard side, and a third was smashed against the side when lowered. The stern of the vessel is under water. As there was no possibility of giving assistance, and as the forepart of the vessel was evidently secure, the tug proceeded to Tryphena to organise rescue parties. The Katoa missed the wreck in the storm, but the Arahura, with 100 passengers on board, stood by the wreck, being tossed in huge seas a quarter of a mile from the bleak coast where the Wiltshire is ashore. The Wiltshire’s wireless broke down through the flooding of the engine room and the masts carrying away. The Arahura read the semaphore flags and transmitted the messages by wireless. The Katoa landed five men, who went overland five miles to the wreck with ropes, hurricane lamps, bandages, food and rockets. The Arahura left for Gisborne at 2 p.m. Then a second party landed from the Katoa. The tug left at 5 p.m. and met the Moeraki taking naval men and apparatus on board. All medical gear, lines, etc., were prepared to-night, ready to proceed overland at daylight to the rescue of the crew. It is expected the will return by the Katoa tomorrow. WEATHER VERY THICK. DIFFICULTY IN SEEING LIGHTS. ANOTHER STEAMER’S EXPERIENCE. Auckland, Last Night. The steamer Dundula, which arrived here to-day, had raced to the rescue of the Wiltshire, but was advised that the Arahura and the Katoa were standing by and could do nothing, therefore she came to Auckland. Her officers state the weather was very thick and the visibility low when the vessel passed Cape Brett at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, and the light was not visible, although they were only eight miles distant. After passing the Cape the light was picked up. The lights at Moko Hinau and the Hen and Chickens were not picked up until the vessel was within six* miles. The weather cleared shortly after, but the wind abated little. The Moeraki took an officer and sixteen men from the Philomel, with two rocket apparatus, who were landed at Tryphena about 5.30 p.m. Captain Stott, marine superintendent of the Union Company, who went with the tug this morning, telegraphing from the Barrier, states nothing can be done until the morning. INSURANCES NOT KNOWN. MAW CARRIED ON STEAMER. Wellington, Last Night. The Wellington agents of the Wiltshire state the master is Captain B. G. Hayward. The rest of the personnel is unknown, but the total is believed to be 109. No information regarding the insurances is available. Those on the cargo were arranged chiefly in England, and it may be some time before the amounts are known, but probably every marine insurance company in New Zealand will be affected. It is understood the Wiltshire carried 460 postal packages, but their composition is unknown. The Wellington Harbor Board’s special rocket apparatus was sent to Auckland this afternoon by special train, which arrives at Auckland on the heels of the express to-morrow morning. VESSELS STANDING BY. PLIGHT OF THE WILTSHIRE. Auckland, June 1. The Katoa and Arahura arrived alongside the Wiltshire just before daylight. They were unable to communicate with the Wiltshire up to 8 a.m. owing to the heavy sea. The tug Teawbina left port at 5 a.m. and will reach the Wiltshire about 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The latest advice is that there has been no loss of life. The officers and crew remain on board, but cannot leave until the sea moderates. As far as is known there are no passengers. Wellington, June 1. Early wireless messages received by the G.P.O. are as follows: 1.38 a.m.—The following from the Wiltshire: “Very badly on shore; 1 and 2 holds full of water, vessel knocking about heavily; immediate assistance required to save life; very thick weather, ship on southern end of Great Barrier Island; several steamers coming, too far off for reply; what are you d °4 n 4 a.m.—Wiltshire ’advised: “1, 2, 3 and 4 holds now full of water, other part of ship dry. If weather moderates might save cargo m after hold. 5.5 a.m.: “Fear ship will now be total wreck; terrific sea; only hope ot saving life is for all to remain on board until weather moderates, as no lifeboat could live.” 731 a.m.: “Arahura advises m position off wreck; too much sea to attempt any rescue work.” 920 a.m.: “Katoa reports >n port Tryphena (Barrier Island); have sent elMiaadt''