THE WAIKARE WRECK

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2704, 7 January 1910, Page 5

THE WAIKARE WRECK

VESSEL STRIKES UNCHARTED ROCK. THE MISHAP A PURE ACCIDENT. WAIKARE PROBABLY A TOTAL LOSS. H M.S. Pioneer, with the passengers and a port Ton of the shin’s company ol the ill-fated Wai’kare, arrived at the Bluff early vesterday morning. It appears that ...the Waikare struck an unchartered pinnacle rock in Dusky Sound, about half a. mile from Indian Island, about noon on Tuesday. After the wreck the officers of the steamer made ■a search for the rock on which she had struck, but failed to find it.

THE' VESSEL RIPPED AMIDSHIPS

rp E R Prrsb Association.! INVERCARGILL, Jan. 6. Mr Jas. More, senr., who was the only Invercargillite on board of the Waikare, has a very possible solution for the non-finding of the rock. He was standing at the bow of the vessel -when it struck, and there- were two distinct shocks. The first hit was just under him in the bows and the second on the starboard of the engine room. He considers that the first imnact of the vessel snapped l off the top of the rock. The Waikare must have ripped an immense hole in her amidships, as she filled with great rabidity and listed to starboard so heavily that it was thought that she would go under any moment-. There was, however, no panic, both men and women behaving with wonderful coolness. Lifebelts were immediately served out and all on board except the captain, three officers, two engineers, and half a dozen stokers, were in the ship’s boats and away from the ship within 20 minutes. The vessel was then headed for shore, a little beach being fortunately near at hand. It was difficult to steer her and she was rapidly sinking. Just in the nick of time her nose was run on to a narrow shelf of rock. Those on board escaped certain death by minutes only. When the first and second engineers left their posts the water was up to tlieir chins and the engines had given their last kick. _ The Waikare now lies with her bow resting on the shore, held in that position by ropes fore and aft. There are many fathoms under her stern, and there is not the slightest doubt but that the Waikare will never be saved. At any moment, if the slightest sea rises, she will slip back and disappear for ever On Wednesday she sank 3ft. at the stern and it is almost certain that by this time she is at the bottom. Although the wreck of the Waikare has been attended by nothing more serious than some shocks and discomfort, there is not the least doubt that it came dreadfully close to being one of the most appalling disasters in the shipping history of the Dominion. Had the Waikare struck at night, or had the accident happened ten minutes later, when the vessel was out in the open, it is certain that there must have been verv heavy loss of life, despite jhe prompt discipline of the vessel’s officers cLnd crew* The beach oil which the Waikare lies in precarious safety was almost providentially situated. When the passengers had been gathered together on Stop Island tarpaulin shelters were, erected and no one was really uncomfortable. The ladies were verv well housed and the men regarded the rest of their experiences as a hardship or as a picnic, according to whether they were used to roughing it or not. Good food was abundant, and the journey home in the Pioneer was as comfortable as the circumstances permitted.

THE WRECK A SHEER ACCIDENT

The loss of the Waikarc is attributed to sheer accident. Passengers state that Captain Newton was particularly faithful to his duties and was rare y absent from the bridge. They also refer in terms of unstinted admiration of his command of the situation when the emergency arose. . The Pioneer’s late arrival at Blurt was due partly to a desire to make the trip as comfortable as possible for the Passengers, and partly to the necessity tor economy in the consumption of coal. A LADY PASSENGER’S STATEMENT. Miss Duckworth, of Lancashire, England, in the course of an interview, says that there was not the slightest sign of excitement or hysteria. “The officers and crew were just and it was their aim to study our comfort. Every possible thought and- consideration was _extended towards us. All the islands were overgrown with vegetation, and we had to scramble over the rocks. Luckily it was low tide, and so the landing was not so difficult as it would have been if it had been high water.. There was a steep bank nearly down to the water’s edge, and wo had to climb up it. The officers and crew, assisted by the men, and even by the ladies, set to work to cut a roadway up the bush and then a clearing was made and camp was prepared. 'Luggage, baggage and bed. ding were conveyed from the \\ aikare to the shore, and' then it Avas passed from hand to hand to Avliere our camp Avas pitched. The ladies again assisted in passing up the luggage, and not one complained, although we had to Avork through mud which came right over our boots, and our skirts Avere all bedraggled. Meanwhile the sun Avas shining. We had experienced shocking Aveatlier previously, and it Avas hard luck that our first fine day was signalled by the accident, but we were all thankful that avo had fine weather for the enforced inspection of the l island. The cooks soon got fires going at tho camp and our hearts throbbed with pleasuro Avlien Ave saAv tho billy boiling. Within half an hour of tho completion of the transfer' of baggage and other tilings from the boat tea- Avas awaiting us. in every Avay our comfort was studied. The ladies’ camp Avas first prepared, and then the men paid attention to their encampment. Not a grumbling voice was to be heard. In the night avo ladies had a most comfortable rest. In the morning tea Avas brought to us at 5 a.m.. and Ave thought avo had never tasted such nice ham, but possibly our appetites were keen and Ave relished it all the more accordingly. Every lady had a plate and cup and so we got along favorably. “The ladies’ camp, being overcroAvded, about 9.30 a.m. the Captain suggested that all the unmarried ladies should, go to Pigeon Island. Avhere lie had been- informed that there was a house which could be utilised for living in until a relief boat arrived. About an hour later,” said Miss Duckworth, “I and fifteen other ladies got into a

launch and. the Captain took charge ot i c. A cook and tour stewards and a stewardess went with us, and we took food and provisions. It occupied about an hour to get to Pigeon Island, and There avo* discovered the house of which the Captain had received information. It ‘was a lonely spot, and the house Avas situated on tne top of a hill not far irom the shore. As Ave approached the shore Ave found a beautiful sandy cove and a boat house in it. We landed and proceeded to the house, of Avliich the Captain forced the door. We Avere told that the house belonged to the ranger of Resolution Island, and around it Avas a most picturesque garden. Soon after entering the house Ave sAvept out the rooms and prepared for air enjoyable time. Within the house there were tables and chairs, so Avith. the bedding and other tilings avg had brought Avith us avo should have Avanted for nothing. The launch Avent aAvay to fetch more ladies (some 25 of Avhorn Avere to have been brought to us) and Ave wore expecting their arrival when the launch reappeared about four o’clock Avith the news that the Pioneer had come to our assistance. We all joyfully re-embark-ed on the launch and AA*ere indeed glad Avhen avo had the deck of the Pioneer under our feet.

“As avo steamed aAvay from the illfated Waikare and saAV her precarious position Ave for the first time realised how near avg had been to a fatal disaster, and the - sight of the ship and the thought of Avhat might have been, affected many of us and some tears Avere even shed. On board the Pioneer Ave again Avanted for nothing and the arrangements Avere admirable in the extreme, but now,” Miss Duckworth concluded, “avo are on shore, and in thinking of our experiences avo shall always remember the cordial help extended by one toAvards another.”

HOW THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED —A PASSENGER’S ACCOUNT.

A Dunedin resident, possessed of some nautical experience, describes the early proceedings thus: “We Avere (he said) when the accident occurred just completing the inspection of the Sounds (preparatory to steaming away for Dunedin. We had been cruising in Dusky Sound, and A\-e were on our return journey to the open sea, Avhicli was only about four miles distant. We Avould have been out of the sound Avitliin an hour. Suddenly we struck, a rock, Avhich I am in a position to know is not shown on the chart. Where Ave Avere, according to the publications, is perfectly safe Avater, but Ave came upon the hidden rook. The spot was between Indian Island and other small islands. There were a series of bumps, and the Waikare made a loud rasping noise, and) then rose as if breasting a SAvell. The feeling one had seemed to me similar to that experienced in having a tooth exracted. The Waikare made along as if in clear water, but her bottom must been ripped up, and one heard the roar of Avater. It quickly penetrated ditto the engineroom, and the boat stopped, being slewed round towards the shore. The whistle was blown for th e boats to be lowered, and this Avork Aims carried out in remarkably quick time. It Avas wonderful hoAV speedily it Avas performed, seeing that in addition to the roAving boats two launches, one steam and one oil, had to be handled. In the meantime the Waikare had taken a great list to starboard', so much so that nearly all the passengers had to be lowered from the starboard side. Everyone was gi\*en _ a lifebelt, and there AA*as no confusion. At last all the ladies were marshalled and first passed' into the boats, and next the male passengers Avere dealt with. By the time the passengers had got aAvay the Waikare’s fire s Avere quite out owing to the Avater, but there Avas still steam left in her boilers. She was then put towards Stop Island, as the only shore Avhere the soundings were charted. When the engines got going again there Avas just sufficient time to inn her ashore boiv on, the stern remaining in deep water. The passengers’ boats followed in the wake of the Waikare, and all Avere landed on Stop Island, some of the ladies being transferred there from one of the other islands to which they had first been taken.” , , , The informant added that it was indeed fortunate that it was possible to beach the Waikare, ' otherwise they would have been at a less for food bedding, and tarpaulins, and would: have been in dire straits. The knowledge that what they wanted could bo ■obtained from the wrecked steamei Avas some solace to them. Dui mg the beaching of the steamer the firemen worked with a will, and were hard at it when the water in the engine-room reached up to their waists. It vas *■ good sample of British pluck.

4 TESTIMONIAL FROM THE PASSENGERS.

The following testimonial was drafted while the passengers were returning by the Pioneer, signed by all the passengers on the warshin. and will beforwarded in due course to those conCei “ l To the Captain, officers and crew of the s.s. Waikare. The passengers of the s.s. Waikare on the second Sounds trip, January 1910, desire to express tlieir appreciation of the conduct of the Captain, officers and men on the occasion of the recent lamentable loss of the ship. In their opinion the boats were o-ot into the water promptly and without confusion immediately after the accident. Passengers Avere directed and assisted to embark on the boats with the utmost promptitude, the time ot embarkation scarcely exceeding a quarter of an hour. The camp was established on, an island so as to give the passengers as good shelter as it Avas possible in tlie circumstances from the heavy rain which fell on the night after the accident. Officers and _ crew vied Avith one another in attending to the Avants of passengers. Catering xmder the most extraordinary difficulties Avas carried out so efficiently that an abundance of food Avas always ready. Tlie sleeping arrangements were so efficiently arranged that almost all tlio passengers Avere able to have the best accommodation possible under the circumstances, so that the passengers Avere able td enjoy a- reasonable amount of comfort during tlieir enforced stay on the island notwithstanding the exceedingly adverse conditions. The result is due to the forethought, care and skill of the officers, and iioav Ave desire therefore to offer our best thanks to the Captain, officers and ci'oav and take leave of them with cordial feelings of gratitude and good will.”

TOTAL LOSS OF VESSEL A CERTAINTY. The prevailing opinion held by those in a position to speak with expert knowledge is that the Waikare will become a hopeless wreck. Mr. T. W. Whitson, secretary to the Union Company, who arrived at Bluff from Dunedin on Wednesday afternoon, and was present to meet the returning passengers, crew, and officers, wired.his company to-day that there was no prospect of saving the ship, which would probably, during, the first bad weather,

slip into the water off the ledge Avhere she ivas beached. This information may safely be taken as the opinion of the Waikare’s officers. A Avireless telegraphic plant on the Waikare would have resulted in the Pioneer reaching the spot on Tuesday evening instead of Wednesday afternoon, thus showing that th e proposed installation on several of the Union Company’s fleet will have its advantages even although there should be no land stations.

DUSKY SOUND—A DESCRIPTION BY HON. T. MACKENZIE.

The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, who Avas on a visit to Invercargill to-day, Avas interviewed in regard to Dusky Sound, Avith which the Minister is particularly avcll acquainted. He said that the Sound had a great interest for him because of its historical associations, and also because of the fact that in 1894 and 1896 he explored the country between the soutli-Avest arm of Manapouri and the upper cove •of Dusky Sound. Dusky Sound Avas the scene of Captain Cook’s most important West Coast Avork. He made a most careful survey of it and nis maps to this day Avere, Mr Mackenzie considered, the \ r ery best that bad ever been published. He (the Minister) had spent a month in the Sound. There Avas an island, called Anchor Island, near the entrance, and during a fearful storm that raged in the inside harbor the Encounter Avas nearly Avreckod. There Avere dangerous rocks in the Sound, and there Avas one which Captain Sinclair, formerly of the MioAvcra, had been informed of. It was only 12 feet deep at low tide. There Avas also a lot of small islands that no na\*igator Avould go near, bufi he (Mr Mackenzie) had alAvays understood that the fairway Avas clear.

“Do you think that this accident will interfere with the tourist traffic,” Mr Mackenzie was asked.

“Oh, no,” replied the Minister, “navigators can avoid the south side of Indian Island, -and take the north side (the Avay I have usually gone), where the Avater is deep and AA*ide.

THE GOVERNOR’S SYMPATHY. The Prime Minister receiVed the folloAving telegram from the Governor at Tekanu: “Deeply regret to hear of the loss of the Waikare, and trust that pas. sengers. and ere ay* are none the worse for their exposure. Please_ express my sympathy with them in their misfortune, and thankfulness that there Avas no loss of life.” Sir Joseph at once complied with his Excellency’s AA'ishes. Sir Joseph Ward personally com*eyed to Commander Blunt, on the arri\*al of the Pioneer atBluff, his appreciation of the promptitude and expedition in proceeding to the wreck, and for the kindness and attention shoAvn by himself, liis officers, and crew to those whom they brought back within twenty-four hours of the Pioneer’s leaving the Bluff. Sir Joseph at the same time Avired to Admiral Poore at Sydney: “On behalf of the Government, I Avish, through you, to thank Commander Blunt, his officers, and creAv, for splendid service at shortnotice rendered' by him in proceeding to Dusky Sound, and bringing safely to the Bluff Avitliin 24 hours 210 passengers and crew of the Avrecked steamer Waikare, all of Avliom Avere made comfortable on board the Pioneer, and receiA*ed the greatest attention and kindness from Commander Blunt, his officers, and men.”

BRAVERY OF OFFICERS AND MEN

DUNEDIN, Jan. 6

The Waikare’s passengers arrived at Dunedin at 1.25 p.m. to-dav. In the course of a conversation Avith a reporter, Mr. Enos Bacon, of England, one of the passengers, said the Waikare was in a very bad way Avhen they left Dusky Sound. Continuing, he said: “One" of the pluckiest tluugs I know of Avas the action of one of the stokers AA'lio was at the fires, working away Avith water lip to his waist. The engineers, too > Avere in the engine-room, though they also Avere up to their Avaist in Avater. But perhaps the bravest tiling of all Avas the plucky journey of the second officer, who in a motor boat, towing another boat with six or seA r en of the crew in it, went out in a rough sea and successfully reached Puysegur Point lighthouse. I cannot speak too highly of Captain NeAY-ton. He Avas on the bridge all the time, and the moment we struck he had a chart in his hand. The women behaved very bravely. If anyone was excited it Avas the men, not the women. Another passenger said that when the second engineer and the last of the firemen left their posts to come on deck, the Avat-er was up to their armpits, and as the vessel approached the shore she struck another rock and slewed round' parallel to the shore, where she now lies with one rail awash. . 4n address expressing appreciation of‘the conduct of the captain, officers, and crew lias been signed by nearly all the passengers. The ladies separately presented' a somewhat similar address to Captain Newton, commiserating him upon his misfortune, and assuring liim of their appreciation of his efforts. Further marks of regard Avere made in the case of the carpenter (Mr J. Watts) and cook (Mr. Jones) by tlieir being presented Avith some ■monetarv consideration on behalf of the whole of tlio passengers. The boats crew which went to Puysegur was also similarly honored. Mr. George Moodie, photographer, states that he had suffered a loss totalling about £3O through losing a box of plates, negatives and prints, Avhicli he had on board in the baggage room. Although no absolutely definite opinion can be given as to the future ot the wrecked vessel, the general agreement amongst the passengers was thatthere was verv small hope of t-lio "vessel being saved. She hangs on a ledge by her “nose, and Avasliings of a few tide s or a. Avosterly roll would take her into very deep Avater, where she Avould be practically unapproachable. The Moura is expected at the Built to-morrow. PASSENGERS ARRIVE. The Waikare’s passengers arrived by special train at 1 p.m. r * Mbits on wires to the Union Company: No prospects of saving the ship, wliicli AA’ill probablv slip into the water on the first bad weather. The captain, chief, ■and second officers, chief and second engineers, chief steward, cook, boatswain, carpenter, and several men in each department AA*ere left at Dusk} Sound. , . * t> Sir James Mills, replying to the Premier’s telegram of sympathy, promises to see that the services of the stewardesses are suitably recognised.