WRECK OF THE WILTSHIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1922, Page 2

WRECK OF THE WILTSHIRE.

A FIREMAN’S EXPERIENCE, SOON BACK AT WORK. “We thought our number was tip all right,” was the way a fireman, ly of the wrecked Wiltshire;- bui).. now employed in a similar capacity <: on board the Tredenham,. at - preseatb'afr New Plymouth, answergd a question put to him yesterday by a- Daily Ne r ws representative in reference J to . the'. 'experience of those on board the iJUfited Wiltshire at Rosalie -Bay, .-Great . Barrier, two weeks ago. .vc The night of Wednesday, May 31, was dark, with a driving rain, and it was impossible to pick up any guiding lights. “All we knew was that we were nearing Auckland,” proceeded the fireman. A heavy, sea was running. After the vessel ran ashore’ two seamen went for-ard. to examine the pbXifioif and predicted that the sljtip-wrecked" mariners would be able to wade ashorein. the morning..._ But. morning came, after a night of terrible anxiety, and the sea was as rough as ever; ‘in response to wireless messages the Katoa arrived near the scene, but was unable to/come near and the hearts of those on board sank as she steamed away to the other side of the island. The tug arrived later in the day, but was Rlso, unable to come close up. With the parting of the ship, the forepart of*which was listing more and more to starboard, went the ship’s fresh water supply and those on board had to subsist mainly on biscuits. The rescue party arrived above the cliff near t)ie wreck on Thursday afternoon. A line was drifted ashore from the Wiltshire and this paved the way for the ’• ulti r mate rescue of the whole of the ship’s company, some being transported ashore by Thursday night and the remainder being brought off on Friday. “The worst of our experiences was yet before us though,” added the fireman, who went on to refer to the walk through the bush from Rosalie Bay to Tryphena. Fortunately some of the rescue party had horses with them and on these some of the most foot-weary seamen were assisted. The journey across the rugged island took three or four hours. Then the men went on board the Katoa and so were landed in Auckland. Of the hospitality of the Auckland people the men could not speak in too glowing terms. They were provided with accommodation, invited to Government House by Lord Jellicoe, taken .to the opera, taken to the races, and altogether cared for in the best possible manner. The fireman on board the Tredenham was fortunate in securing another position within four days of landing in Auckland, but understands that others of the crew were not so lucky, and most of them are returning Home on Saturday, their employment with the Shipping Company having automatically ceased with the wrecking of the Wiltshire.