THE OAKLAND WRECK.
FURTHER DETAILS. TERRI ULE EX PERI ENCES RESCUE BY STEAMER BELLINGER.
By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright,; SYDNEY, May 30. The Oakland’s boat had been beating about at the mercy of the angry sea for six hours when the Bellinger came to tiie rescue. Tlie waves were constantly sweeping over the boat as she lay low in the water. Holes were knocked in her when launching, rendering hailing impossible. A strong, icy wind added greatly to the sutlerings of tile crew.
Four limes the boat capsized, hut Hie gradually diminishing number of survivors managed to crawl back. After the death of (lie captain hope was revived by the sighting of the steamer, lint, efforts to attract attention failed. At this stage the second engineer, Mr Steel, who was sitting in tlie how of the boat, suddenly said, “ Good-bye, hoys !” and leaped overhoard. ife was not again seen. The seaman Johnson was the last to go, succumbing to exhaustion and cold an hour before help arrived. The Bellinger, which had previously passed within sight of the boat, when running for shelter at Long Island, when reluming was attracted by a handkerchief hoisted on an oar. In their excitement at the prospect of rescue, the survivors forgot lo steer tlie boat, and made the fourth capsize.
Tiie boat was eight hours at sea. As only the how and stern were not always submerged, lour only could get into tlie boat with safety. The others had to cling to life lines. As
those in the boat succumbed, or were Washed off, the others crawled into their places. Tiie seaman Olsen, who showed tlie
most vitality of any of the survivors, was outside the whole time. There were plenty or lifebelts. The second engineer brought an armful in to the boat. But there .was no food or water. Mr .Steel 1 went mad before diving into the sea. The cabin hoy also lost his reason. Just, before he died; he said, “Isn’t this lonely?” and buried his
face in the water. Owing to tlie heavy sea, this Bellinger had a dillieult task in rescuing the inch. Just as she came alongside, the boat capsized, out all in her managed to cling to the lifelines. The captain of the Bellinger was able to lift them aboard the steamer without launching a boat. All were terribly exhausted. After effecting the rescue, the Bell-
inger steamed under the lee of Broughton Island, and remained at that place until yesterday, morning, sheltering. Some idea of the state of the sea may be gathered from the fact that although the Bellinger had two anchors down, she had to keep the engines going all the time, in order to maintain her position. Even then, sometimes the anchors dragged.
The actual cause of the disaster is doubtful. Some of the survivors are of opinion that the vessel sprang a leak. The Oaklands was insured for four thousand pounds, the South British Company holding the prime policy, but reinsurances had been Elected with several local offices.
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Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 905, 1 June 1903, Page 1
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504THE OAKLAND WRECK. Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 905, 1 June 1903, Page 1
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