THE WRECK OF THE AOTEA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8187, 19 July 1906, Page 5

THE WRECK OF THE AOTEA.

GISBOKNE, July 17

The Aotea waa sheltering under lahid Hill, at the southern end of Waipiro Bay, oil Sunday and MooWben laat seen yesterday afternoon She waa in the same spot. I'hd wild, southerly gale, wbioh had been blowitig, changed yesterday afternoon ; to the eastward, and this morning the schooner was found bottom upwards. There waa no eisn of life on board. Fcr some hours no bodies could be found# Then that of Captain Nicholas was discovered, and about three hours later the body of Ms wife was found almost iu v the sa«jo spot. Captain Nicholas was one of the best-known traders ou the coaaS. He was part owner of the Aotea, the command of which he took over about a fortnight ago. It is believed that he had cine children altogether. The beach is strewn with wreckage, among whiob were several articles of children's clothing. AUCKLAND, July 17.

The Aotea's orew consisted of the following:—Oaptain, I. Nicholas; mate, E. Hargreaves; 1. lversen, i{. Coule'tts, A. Bayley, D Darrell, N. Tansley, J. Cola.

The captain's wife and son wore also on board.' This was Captain Nicholas first trip on tha Aotea. The Aotea, an auxiliary oil schooner, of 89 tons nott register, was built at Whangaroa twelve years ago, and had been employed iu the coastal trade since that time. Her cargo consisted of 32,000 feet of timber, and a large quantity of general merchandise. She is owned by several residents of Auckland •district, Captain Skinner (master of the schooner Kaeo) being managing owner. She is valued at about £2,000, and the only insurance is £6OO in the Alliance. Of the nine members of the ship's company no fewer than seven, including the oaptain and mate, were making their first trip in the vessel. The engineer was making his second trip. Cole, an ordinary seaman, was the only one who had been on the I ship for any length of time.