WRECK OF THE WAIKARE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9684, 7 January 1910, Page 5

WRECK OF THE WAIKARE.

WHEN THE DISASTER HAPPENED.

AN INTERESTING STORY.

By Telegraph—Press Association. INVERCARGILL, January 6. H.M.S. Pioneer arrived at the Bluff at 5.45 o'clock to-day with the excursionists and crew of the Wai kare, which struck an uncharted pinnacle of rock about half a mile from Indian Island, in Dusky Sound, at 12.15 p.m. on Tuesday. The Waikare, with 270 persons on buard, had completed the Sounds excursion, and was making for the open sea when the disaster occurred, and left her stacked upon Stony Island, a couple of miles from the place 6f contact. The rock appears to have ripped tne ship's bottom from stem to stern, and the water poured in faster than the pumps and condenser could cope with it. Captain Newton realised the serious nature of the misfortune, and ordered the crew to their boat stations. The passengers state that there was absolutely nothing in the way of panic or disturbance. With remarkable promptitude passengers and baggage were safely landed, and Captain Newton decided to beach the vessel in the nearest cove. Stony Island, two miles away, was selected, but with . a rapidly-in-creasing inflow of water, which extinguished the fires in the stokehold and found its way intu the engineroom, the steam had been expended before the island was reached, and the Wai kare hai only sufficient momentum to strike the shelving reef with holding force. There she took a list, with ner stern in deep water, and gradually sank lower by the stern until her port deck was almost Hjsh with the tide. In this position she at present remains. The stcand fnate, Mi- Appleyard, made a venturesome voyage in an oillaunch to Puyscgur Lighthouse to" telephone for assistance. Stony Island has an area of two square.miles, and an altitude of 200' feet. It id bush-covered to the edge of the cliffs or the water, and about two and an a half miles, from Indian Island, near which the uncharted ~ rock was encountered.

An inspection of the wreck conveyed the impression that the steamer would soon turn turtle and

disappear into deep water. The cove where the camp was made comprises a. shelvine rock, which was strewn with dunnage, tents, chairs, tables, booms, baggage and provision cases. Tarpaulins were arranged all over the place and up the side of the hill. Ur. Crawford, of Kaiapoi, gave an interesting account of the wreck. Hs. his wife and Mr Barber (fourth officer), were chatting on deck while the steamer wss proceeding down the Sound at full speed. jThey had just passed Indian Island, when they were startled by a suddtn severe shock to the vessel that sensibly reduced her speed. This was followed almost immediately by a second shock and then a third, less severe. There was naturally considerable alarm amongst the . passengers, but absolutely no panic. Jn about three minutes the ship look a considerable list to starboard, and the order came from the captain to stand by the boats. Life-belts were handed out, and in ten minutes a boat-load of ladies, in charge of two sailors and the doctor himself, who was the only male passenger in the boat, got away, and landed on a small island half a mile from where the ship struck. Another boat landed, but in the meantime-the Waikare had steamed a couple of miles', and was grounded cn-Stony Island. The* passengers, together, with a large quantity of stores, were quickJy landed. : The coast thereabouts is very rocky, and the water deep close inshore. Only the steamer'c bow was grounded, and the stern is in very deep water. As there was considerable danger of the ship slipping off into deep water, wire hawsers and ropes from stem and stern were made fast ashore. The afternoon passed very quickly, everyone, including many ladies, working like Trojans. The crew were soon at work clearing a spac£ in the bush above highwater mark, and lighting fires. Tea and coffee were quickly available for the ladies, shelters were made, and large sails strung up to keep off the rain. Under these mattresses were laid, with the result that by nine o'clock most of the people had selected a camping- ground and settled down for the night. As evening approached rain began to fall heavily, but fortunately it did not last long. The utmost good humour prevailed throughout, and all took the discomfiture of their position lightheartedly. One wit played "We Won't Go Home Till Morning" on a dinner bugle. No one really got much sleep, and with a sigh ot' relief dawn was welcomed. By 7 a.m. the cook, in face of many drawbacks, produced an excellent repast of eggs and bacon, which* was partaken of by all hands.

A PREMONITION.

INVERCARGILL, January 6. Mr Win E. Peck, of New York, a passenger by the Waikare, said Mrs c Peek had such a premonition that something was going to happen to the Waikare that she left the steamer at Milford, and returned overland She did not know why, but she was determined not to go m the ship again., ihe steamer is likely to become a total wreck.