THE WINDSOR WRECK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2112, 11 February 1908, Page 3

THE WINDSOR WRECK.

SURVIVOR’S THRILLING STORY

A CHINAMAN’S EXAMPLE

United Press Association —Copyright BERTH, Feb. 10.

The Windsor completely disappeared. Most of the boats were washed away after iho first contingent, of the crew landed.

Nicholson, nn apprentice, who was the Inst to leave the ship, says:— “As we had no further boats, it was -impossible to gain the reel. Captain Walters gave orders to endeavor to float lines attached to gratings ashore, in order to establish communication with those outlie veef. A\ e also tired rockets attached to signals on the halyards, blit all of these tell short.• “The chief engineer tun do attempts to swim ashore with a line. After a desperate struggle he succeeded m gaining a looting on the reef, but, exhausted with liis efforts, he was carried away by the backwash, lie was then carried out to sea and drowned in view of all hands. “Shortly afterwards the funnel fell by the board. It- was seen the vessel’s back was broken. B-- this time tremendous seas were thundering over the decks. All hands were clinging to lines on the bridge. At about 4 in the nfternon the mainmast- went by the board, and was washed ashore. All this time the second and third officers remained on the reef, but were powerless to render assistance, and at sunset the latter left for the island.

“Captain Walters and mate remained in the saloon, but the rest of the crew ami apprentices stayed forward. ...

“Upon coming on deck the following morning, wo louml that all the after part of the vessel up to the foremast was broken up and washed on to the reef, the captain and mate being lost. “Next morning the party searched the shore for their bodies, but without result. “We took refuge in one of the deck-liouses, and again endeavored, to float lines ashore. A rescue party also attempted to reach us with rockets. A couple of them fell over the ship, but the lines broke. “The Chinese with us appeared to become paralysed with fear and exposure.

“Alt the time we kept boys tolling the bell to attract attention. “When we saw the rescue party leave at sunset we gave up all hopes. We remained till night huddled in the forecastle. “Next morning the Chinese took their pigtails down 'and prayed to their Joss for the wind and sea l;o subside. They then turned into then bunks and- commenced wailing. “About an hour later the Chinese cook attempted to commit suicide with a chopper. ‘Tip to this time we had been without- water, and two of the Chinese commenced drinking salt water.

“The sea was now sweeping coinpletely over the vessel, which was rapidly breaking up, the forecastle being ‘gutted. . 1 “In the afternoon n Chinese trimmer lashed himself to a plank and iumped into the surf, saying that he might as well die that way as remain on the ship. The surf carried him an, and after being carried out again for some distance the seas carried -lnm to the roof, where he was rescued. “All the others followed the example and were washed ashore m an exhausted .condition, the rescuing party being up to their armpits in the surging water. We remained on the. reef all night, and, were taken to the island- in the morning