SHIPPING CASUALTIES

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1638, 3 January 1906, Page 1

SHIPPING CASUALTIES

THE OBAN DISASTER

STEAMER ASHORE,

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, last night.' { The scow Oban and her cargo were uninsured, but as the vessel lies partly submerged near the wharf at Worser Bay it is expected both cargo and scow will be saved; It is believed that as the vessel was under tow her cargo shifted into her nose, throwing the stern up, and the theory is that the crew went forward

to remedy matters or loosen the towline, when she dipped into the sesa, and all went overboard. On the other hand, it is possible that either one or two hands were in the cabin when the water swept over the vessel, and that their bodies are there.

Owing to the boisterous weather nothing can be done in the way of searching the vessel, but Mr Ernest Pilcher, the owner, is doing all that is possible to clear up the mystery. The captain of the tug states that on Sunday night when towing the Oban he had. a most unenviable time, the tug being continually swept with spray. The Oban had three years capsized twice in the Sounds, but from causes quite apart from the present incident. Captain McKenzie, of Auckland, was making his second trip as master of the Oban, and expressed himself well pleased with the little vessel. The lives of the . captain and his two companions were insured by the owner. /

The names of the' crew of the scow Oban, supposed to have been washed off and drowned, are: Donald' W. McKenzie, aged, -10, captain; < Johnson, aged 25, A.B. ; and A. ftlartin, aged 31, A.B.

/ Hawera, latt night. Tho ,'s.s. Kapiti is again ashore at Patea, having /grounded on Saturday afternoon. SJie had 4000 boxes of butter aboahf, of which 1500 have been removed. The officials expect to float the vessel off without removing any more /cargo, but |it is blowing a gale this morning, which may alter the position.