THE WRECKED HIPPOLAS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2666, 23 November 1909, Page 5

THE WRECKED HIPPOLAS.

HER CAPTAIN’S STORY.

fi’ER Press Association.! PICTON, Nov. 22. The local steamer Elsie arrived at Picton on Sunday afternoon with the master and orew of the wrecked barque Hippolas. Uaptain Thomas Norris, interviewed, said the barque, with a ballast load left Timaru for Havelock on November 17. When nearing Cape Campbell a northwest gale hampered progress and it took four days to reach Cloudy Bay. The vessel anchored and reported to headquarters. They started again on. Thursday, but put back owing to the stress of weather. On Friday f tbey left the bay at 8 p.m., and go t-, off The Brothers at 1.30 a.m. on Saturday. After passing Cook’s Rock they looked anxiously for the guiding son’s Head light. The weathe? was thick and no light being visible was the cause of uneasiness. At 2.25 the man on the look-out cried: “Hard up,” and the helm responded, but the barque did not lay off quickly enough, and struck heavily on Walker’s Rock. The ship was under easy sail at the time. He called all hands on deck, and ordered the boats to be got in readiness. He went down- below and found tbe water making freely at the bow. He mode for Guard’s Bank and came to anchor in ten fathoms of water. There was about 6ft of water in' the hold. They burned flare lights and rocket distress signals from the time of striking until they anchored. The crew were anxious to leave as the vessel had a big list to starboard, and all went ashore at Titirangi in the boats. They tried to send word by telegraph or telephone, but failed and were not picked up until the following morning. The crew is being well cared for privately at Picton. They are: Master, T. Norris; mate, Ashley Thorpe; second mate, E. Cox; cook, A. Leigh; A.B.’s, H. B. Adam, G. Whitten, Thimburn, C. Albertson, T. Feighan, S. Fletcher, and C. McGregor, The ship’s papers, some provisions, and personal effects were taken ashore.