STEAMER WRECKED

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10523, 11 January 1912, Page 5

STEAMER WRECKED

JANE DOUGLAS SUNK OFF ' STEPHENS ISLAND

THE CREW SAVED. . Word was received by the Marine Department on Wednesday morning from the lightkeeper at D'Urville Island that tho coastal steamer Jane Douglas struck a rock in the Stephens Island passago on Tuesday night, and sank.

The Jane Douglas left Wellington at 5.20 p.m. on Tuesday, in charge of Captain Vondoro, for Hokitika, with 45 tons of general cargo, including a number of transhipments ex Home steamers. The passage where the steamer struck lies between D'Urvilie and Stephens Islands, and tli#rock referred to is presumed by several Wellington nautioal men to bo one of the Saddle ltocks, or possibly the Tower Rock. Strong tides run in the passage.

THE ILL-FATED VESSEL. The Jane Douglas is an iron steamer of 95 tons gross, and 75 tons net, and is'owned principally by Mr Malfroy, of Hokitika. Her dimensions are — length 103 ft, breadth 16ft, depth 7ft. She was built at Dunedin in 1875, and was formerly owned by the Manawatu Shipping Company. Years ago, before the railway was completed, the vessel was the favourite passenger boat in the WellingtonrFoxton run. ffer skipper was then the loto Captain Fiiaser. Subsequently she used to trade out of Lyittelton to Baikoura, and lately she has been emplo.yeid in tho Wellington-Hokitika service.

THE SADDLE ROCKS. Apropos of the wreck of the' jane Douglas, it is interesting to recall that some time in 1905 the Union Com pony's steamer Wainui touched on one of the Saddle rocks. At the time it was thought that she was in : great peril, the passengers and mails being landed —some on the rocks and others on D'Urville Island. Subsequently, however, it was discovered that the mishap was not very serious, and the Wainui was able to resume her journey after having been detained only a few hours.

REMOVAL OF THE CREW. A Preas Association message from Nelson, states that "the vessel was wrecked at 1 a.m. on the Saddle Rock, D'Urville Island. The crew axe safe. No further particulars. Mr Maude, of the island, is bringing the crew in <& launch to the Eren/ch Pass. The men will arive at Nelson to-night by the Pateena."

STORY or MISFORTUNE. The Jane Douglas has had a long lease of life, but it has not been unattended with misfortune. Her's has indeed been, an exceedingly chequered career. As early as the 7th October, 1885, the little hooker stranded on Long. Point, Kapiti Island, and by a remarkable coincidence repeated the performance at the same spot in October of the following year. All wehit well i with her then until the 3rd August, 1901, when she grounded on the south spit in the Okuru River. Less than , twelve months after, she again stranded, this time at Hokitika.. This hap- . pened on the 25th June, 1912, and before the New Year was. ushered in, history had repeated itself at Hokitika. Five years' immunity from any mishap was enjoyed by the hardy little steamer, but t'he 23rd May, 1907, saw her again stranded at Hokitika, on the south spit, and June of the same year on the north spit. More recent standings were in 1909, the "Jane" grounding once more at Hokitika, on the 2nd June, and five, weeks later at the north spit, Okarito River. * And now comes 'news of her final mishap. Verily, she has 'had, in cricket parlance, a long innings, with numerous chances, and now that she has been finally "bowled out," there will be many—especially those who had perforce in the days when xailwavs wer not to make frequent use. of her as a passenger ship —who will miss her familiar little figure.

VESSEL STRIKES END ON

SINKS IN FIVE MINUTES

(By Telegraph—Press Association J

NELSON, Last Night, With regard to the wreck of the Jane Douglas, the vessel, was going along the passage between Stephens and D'XJrville Islands when she struck the Saddle Rock end on. Nothing was raved, as the vessel sank within fie minutes after striking.. The steamer was owned by Messrs Keech and Malfroy, of Kumara. She was uninsured.

The crew consisted of Captain Vendoro; mate, A. Ingram; engineer, G. ■ M. Brown; cook,. J. firemen, J. Henclion and A. Young; lamptrimmer. W. Woolf; sailors, K. Pedppo and J. Thomson. It took the crew four hours to reach Pox-t Hardy. » A Magisterial .enquiry into the wreck will be held here .shortly. NO FURTHER DETAILS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NELSON, Last Night. The crew of tihe .Taaie -Douglas are being brought to Nelson by the Pa - teewa, which arrives early to-morrow morning. In tihe meantime no further details of the wreck are obtainable.