ALL SAVED.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1922, Page 5

ALL SAVED.

WRECK OF THE FRANCE. A NIGHT OF TERROR. SEAS DAMAGE SHIP. TOTAL LOSS FEARED By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Secretary of the Post Office reports that the Noumea radio advised at 9.36 p.m. as follows: “All staff and sailors of the France have been saved.” Received July 13, 11.5 p.m. Sydney, July 13. Further wireless messages have been received by the Sydney and Brisbane stations from the France, stating that th® crew is praying for daylight. Big seas are breaking on the reef, damaging the ship. Two masts were carried away, and the lives of the crew working on deck are endangered. The message concludes: “AU on board spent a night of hell.” Another message stated that if occasion arouse an attempt would be made to Land the crew at daybreak. A later message received at Brisbane stated the crew bad taken to the boats owing to the danger from the falling masts and rigging, and that the France would probably be a total loss. The station at Noumea later unsuccessfully tried to get in communication with* the France, and it is believed the crew* reached shore safely. ' EARLIER MESSAGES. GETTING THE CREW OFF. HELP NOT REQUIRED. ' Wellington, July 13. Two further messages have been received by wireless concerning the ship Francs One at 8.13 a.m. states: “Further from S.O.S. sailing ship France. At 4.4 a.m. the France reported that the weather was clear, the wind south and light, sea rough on reef. Will save the crew at daylight to avoid men being wounded by the falling of masts or yards.” At 4.49 a.m. the France informed the Canadian Transporter she did not consider assistance necessary, and the latter has now resumed her yoyage. A second message received at 8.22 says: “Further re France, intercepted at 11.18 a.m., repeated calls of S.O.S. At 1.25' a.m. France advised Canadian Transporter that the vessel may be considered lost. Crew is to be saved.” At 4.57 a.m. the France advised the Canadian Transporter that she considered assistance was ftmnecesarsy. The crew will endeavor to land at daylight.” (The ship France is the largest sailing vessel in the world. Built in 1918 at Bordeaux,, she is comparatively a new vessel. She is a steel five-masted barque of 5633 tons, 418.8 feet long, 55.8 feet broad, and 29.9 feet deep. The vessel is owned by Cie Francaise de Marine, and was registered at Rouen.)