TERRIFIC THUMP.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1922, Page 5

TERRIFIC THUMP.

STORY OF THE WRECK NIGHT OF TERRIBLE ANGUISH. “SHIP SNAPPED IN TWO ” THRILLING RESCUES DESCRIBED. Auckland, Last Night. A special reporter at Tryphena telegraphs : The men who have come ashore relate a vivid story of their experiences during the past 36 hours. Heavy weather and torrential rain had been experienced for ten hours prior to the wreck, and it was impossible to see a ship length off. The impression existed that the ship slowed down somewhat about 20 minutes before she struck. Prior to that she was averaging 320 miles daily. There was a terrific thump when the Wiltshire struck, and she gave four distinct jumps as the impetus forced her on the rocks. The whole complement of the vessel was immediately summoned to the boats, and rockets of distress were sent up. The boats were swung out on the lee side, and all hands stood to for one and a half hours, every moment of which was intensified by suspense. AWAITING THE DAWN. A large sea was breaking over the vessel, particularly aft, and when it became only too apparent that any attempt to land the boats would see them dashed against the cliff by the terrific seas, it was agreed to await the break of day. All hands spent a night of anguish in the saloon, and the ship shook from stern to bow as each wave struck her. Every man, except the ship’s officers, went forward at dawn, and about 7.30 a.m. the Arahura was seen in the roadstead, and although she hung about she was powerless to render assistance. The position at this time was extremely precarious, as the ship had listed to starboard and the after portion was in deep water. This was the condition of affairs until about 11.30, when, with a noise like a thunderclap, the ship snapped in. two about No. 4 hatch. Captain Hayward jumped from the bridge, and the officers swung themselves down to the forecastle on a rope. A RAY OF HOPE.

Simultaneously with, the excitement of this incident there sprang a ray of hope in the breasts of the men, who had suffered hour after hour of mental anguish, wondering what the next moment would bring forth. Now they knew, however, that the forward part, relieved of the dead weight behind, would probably remain, secure on the rocks. About this time settlers had arrived on the cliffs and every manner of effort was availed of to get a line ashore. Rockets proved of no avail in combatting the storm, and were all carried adrift, while floating objects met a similar fate.

Eventually, about 2.30 p.m., a hatchway safely divined its object, floating on to the shore and being secured by the patient workers there. Long hours passed before an endless line had been established, and Wheatley, the first man, was drawn foot by foot to the shore. At intervals three of his companions joined him, and then operations were suspended for the night. Now the mental anguish of those on board was aggravated by physical endurance. With the exception of a little steak, there were no other provisions ou board until supplies were got from ashore. This morning an attempt was made to get the papers from the bridge, but the search was fruitless. The ship was verily a total wreck. WRECKAGE PILING UP. The Wiltshire had altered her position and appearance since the first glimpse was obtained from the tug Te Awhina yesterday. Only two of the lifeboats remained in the davits, the rest having been carried away. Three masts are still standing erect forward, in defiance of the tempest, which has abated to a moderate gale. A smoke stack somewhat smaller than ordinary is there, while another mast is pitiably striving to maintain its position immediately behind it. Yesterday the submerged portion of the ship was just discernable, but it has now disappeared. Wreckage is piling up on the shore, particularly on the Kaitoke beach, where many mail bags have been observed. Cigarettes in tins of fifty have floated ashore in thousands. The old saying that it never rains but it pours was illustrated at the expense of the first ten who got ashore, for they lost their way in endeavoring to clear a mile of bush leading to Rosalie Bay. After an anxious hour in the bush they got free and came over the hilly and heavy bridle tracks to Tryphena, whence they were conveyed to the steamer Katoa.