A TOTAL WRECK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 27 August 1913, Page 5

A TOTAL WRECK.

WRECKAGE COMINC ASHORE. CAPTAIN AND CREW REACH WELLINGTON. OFFICERS DECLINE TO MAKE A STATEMENT. (By Telegraph — Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. That the wrecked steamer Devon is a total loss is stated.to be beyond all possible doubt. The point where she struck, tinder the Pencarrow lighthouse, is as bad as any of the bad positions that lie about the entrance to Wellington) harbour. Firmly stranded on a bottom where the many rocks must inevitably tear her hull to pieces, she has already commenced to show distinct signs • at the stern of speedy destruction. The port side of the stern, the side farthest from shore, and the side consequently more open to the heavy .seas prevailing, is already breaking, while the wreckage which litters the beach in the vicinity leaves no doubt that this fine big steamer is doomed to the fate that has already overtaken so many vessels in and about Cook Strait. The captain and members of the crew reached town late this evening, but all refused to say anything about the wreck to the reporters. When asked pointedly for a statement, Captain Caunce would only say, "You will hear all about it at the inquiry j I do not propose to say anything in the meantime."

Chief-officer Maurice has been left in charge at the wreck, everyone else belonging to the vessel having come away.