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ON THE WRECK.

MEN'S TERRIBLE ORDEAL. FOOD AND WATER FINISHED. PIANO TO BRING CHEER. OFFICER’S GRAPHIC STORY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, June 3. An officer of the Wiltshire tells the following story: “At about twenty minutes past eleven cn Wednesday night, I felt a slight jar, and then two or three quick bumps—she had grounded on the rocks. The captain ordered all hands on deck, and swung out the provision boats, but this proved unsuccessful, several of the boats being carried away owing to the high seas which roared past us. “The ship kept upright, so nothing more was done until daylight, excepting, of course, the continuous sending out of S.O.S. signals. At daybreak we saw the full fury of the sea and realised we were helpless until assistance arrived. The Moeraki, with a naval crew on board, came within sight, ’but she had no chance «;f coming anywhere near us. “At 11.30 that morning the Wiltshire broke in two, immediately beneath the bridge. We had heard the creakings and groanings all night, and expected the severance. When she split in two there were two loud snaps. Some of us were left aft, but we managed to get forward by sliding down ropes across the gap. We all gathered for’ard after the break, waiting for assistance. ‘TULL, FOR GOD’S SAKE:” “Thanks to the naval crew on shore, we managed to get the breeches buoy line rigged, and with the assistance of those on board we sent four men ashore. Ninety-nine were sent ashore yesterday (Friday) within 12 hours. It was a wonderful performance. At one o’clock yesterday (Friday), about 60 of the crew had been landed, and after that we had fewer workers on board, and, of eo’irse, in a breeches buoy both ends have to play. Situated as we were, it was a most difficult job, for the fewer men left on the ship, the longer it took to complete the job. “Captain Hayward wished to land last, but it was the special desire of the few men who remained on board that, owing to the early darkness, he should be landed, so he went down the line with the fourth officer. Half-way over he collapsed, and the fourth officer immediately threw his legs around him, thus keeping him in the breeches buoy, and shouting out a warning to the shore; ‘Pull, for God’s sake!’ The last to leave the ship were the chief and the second officers (Geddard and Harris). That was at seven o’clock last night. “Our night was spent standing in the rain on the rocky shore, and you may imagine how the hours creeped. We moved wearily off at seven o’clock this morning, with the naval rescuers as guides, and we got to Rosalie Bay at two o’clock. We did not expect to be picked up here, however. Captain Haywa-d could not walk another step. Then judge our delight when we heard the siren of the Te Awhina. CHEERING THINGS UP. “It is to be hoped that some of the members of the crew may be allowed to return to the wreck to salve some of their gear, as all that is left is on the forward part of the ship, which still stands good, despite a heavy list. In fine weather we may easily board her and recover some of our gear. All we have left us now are a few clothes on our tired bodies, which have been saturated since we struck the rocks.”

Immediately the Wiltshire struck, all hands were summoned to the boat-deck, and the officers held a consultation as to what was to be done. When it became apparent that the only thing to do was to hang to the ship—any lifeboat launched would be match wood before it got away from the ship’s side—word was passed tn the crew that they could go down to the social hall. The ship’s pianist went to the instrument and rattled out a tune. This cheered things up a bit, and he ‘went on with the good work’ (according to a lad named Archie Wanslow) until he came to the end of his repertoire; then Winslow produced a mandolin and carried on the work, and in spite of the gale and the seas breaking over the wreck, they managed to keep ‘the home fires burning’ on board the Wiltshire—or at least one of them. As L. Hutson, one of the messroom stewards, tells, the Wiltshire’s forward galley was well sheltered, and they were able to keep the fire going by tearing up internal fittings. SUFFERING FROM THIRST. Provisions were short, and all they had to cook was some meat. Coffee was made while the water lasted, but as the tanks were in the stern half that broke off and disappeared, the supply did not last long. As rain fell, the men were set to catching as much as they could, and a sort of coffee was made, but in time even this gave out, and many men suffered terribly from thirst. It turns out that the report that one man attempted to swim ashore with a* line from the Wiltshire was a mistake, although the men on board offered to go. L. Hutson, one of the mess-room stewards, and Wheatley, who was the first man sent ashore by the bos’un’s chair when the lifeline was rigged up, were both willing to make the attempt. Both of them are young, Hutson being a mere lad, and Wheatley suffers from the loss of one eye. “No, lad,” said an officer, when told Hutson was willing to go over the side; “you can’t go—it would simply mean certain death.”

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19220605.2.29

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1922, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
943

ON THE WRECK. Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1922, Page 5

ON THE WRECK. Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1922, Page 5

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