A GUTTER SINKS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8492, 22 July 1907, Page 6

A GUTTER SINKS.

THREE MEN DROWNED. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 20. The cutter Flora sank off Devonport early this morning. It is believed that three of her crew were drowned.

FUTILE CRIES FOR HELP.

By Telegraph—Press Association,

AUCKLAND, July 20. The Flora, which is owned by J. J. Craig, was engaged in conveying shingle from Waiheke to Auckland, and sank on a sandspit this morning about 3.15. Constable Berry and Night-watch-man Hamilton heard shrieks conrng from the harbour. It was blowing a hard north-easterly gale at the time with fierce squalls, and the sea was so heavy that it war impossible to launch a boat to go to the rescue. The cries continued till 3.35 when they suddenly ceased. An hour later the steamer Ruru came over from Auckland and steamed in the direction whence the cries came. She found a topmast above water, but no sign of the crew, who had been washed away. When the cutter sank she went down in over 20 feet of water. Had she been 100 yards further in she would have grounded with her deck above water, and the crew would have been perfectly safe. Michael Sullivan was in charge of the cutter, assisted by Thomas Clarke and another casual hand.