ON THE ROCKS AT KAITI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3557, 24 June 1912, Page 5

ON THE ROCKS AT KAITI.

BIG TRAMP DRAGS HER ANCHOR LAST NIGHT.

STAR OF CANADA ASHORE

A DAZZLING DISPLAY OF ROCKETS IN THE STORM.

HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED ON THE BEACH.

“ WE’RE ASHORE: SEND A

TUC.”

REMARKABLE LACK OF DEFINITE KNOWLEDGE AT THE WHARF.

KARORO FAILS TO GET OUT, BUT ThTpl GETS ALONGSIDE THREE HOURS LATER.

VESSEL LEAKING : WATER IN THREE HOLDS.

HIPI UNABLE TO RENDER ANY AID TILL DAYLIGHT.

Boom ! Boom ! A dull rattle, and a hundred people hearkened, their ears quickened. It was close on mid night last night. “What was that?” Through the roar and screech of the storm came again the sound from the direction of Kaiti Beach, with its dull and muffled roar. A hundred faces peered out into the dark night where the clouds lay thick 1 hanked across the heavens in inky darkness. Hark! A ship in distress! It seemed.. so. Through the night now came scurrying, scare-faced and questioning all who had heard the muffled appeal of the rockets. Now, as the water-front was neared, they could he seen, even through the inky blackness, lighting up the sky with a great slash of flame and bursting many-balled in the zenith. The halfclad watchers quickened their pace. Through wind and slush anlde-deep even, in places, above the knee, they stumbled and fell with many an anxious question and eyes glued always, not on the stumbling-blocks which beset the difficult path, but ever into the night, where at regular intervals the flash in the sky called for aid. The Scene from Waikanae. The way led now along a railwayline, through a slushy yard which gurgled and squelshed dismally as the watchers hurried on. At last they stood \vhere the Waikanae Creek runs into the harbor —further progress was blocked by the stream —and gazed awestruck at. the spectacle of a ship close in shore, maybe upon the rocks, while her signals continued intermittently to call for help. It was an awe-inspiring sight. The rain came down in a dense mass, wetting everything and everyone, while ever and anon great blue flashes of sheet-lightning seemed to add to the tension and awfulness of the scene. Here some turned back. -“What can we do?” was the question upon every tongue in that little band.

It afterwards became known that the vessel which was signalling the Star of Canada, and that she was off Stoney Point.. Some were for warning the harbor authorities. Others set off at a mad pace across the frightfully dangerous path which led back to town, going they knew not whither, but all intent upon the one idea, that something (must be done! Others, again, anxious to see more, essayed the passage of the flimsy structure which serves as a footbridge across the Waikanae.

In that gale it was an arduous crossing. The bridge, ricketty at any time, shook, even under the lee of Kaiti Hill, like an aspen in the gale, while giant roaring seas came seething hungrily about the flimsy piles, causing the bridge to shako and quiver like a sorely-wounded thing.

Those who ventured the crossing were fain to cling tightly to the shaking rail of the bridge, while about them a veritable inferno racked and roared. Progress against such a wind was difficult —well-nigh impossible — but at length the journey was accomplished and the hurrying watchers stood on the Waikanae beach, where the great combers roared and broke high on the shore, swishing madly over the groyne, and crashing with reports which could be heard even at that distance upon- the breakwater. It was indeed a wild night, but the small band of watchers heeded it not. There out at sea might be men to succor and everyone would do his best.

The Karora’s Attempt. Presently the little tug steamer Ivaroro could be seen puffing her way out of tho entrance, and riding against the sea right gallantly. She would 1 do all that was required, said the ' watchers, as the little vessel passed into tho dreadful night and was engulfed in the blackness," only lit by the. fitful and frightful lightning. Here in the cold 'of the beach, drenched by the .rain, with their hearing drowned by the roar of the surf, some waited. Others climbed to the perilous groyne for a better view of what was transpiring on the Kaiti beach.

Still others, having seen enough from that 'bad viewpoint, turned their backs .upon the outraged waves and rotturned across the perilous bridge to the wharves.

About the harbor sheds stood many men sheltering round some frail corner from the stinging blast and all wondering what to do, and all questioning what was being done and what had been done, and what had happened.

It was a veritable maze of questions on which a seeker after the truth could only turn his back.

A light attracted the eye- It was an official-looking light which spoke of news and confirmation of the hundred and one reports which were flying. The searcher knocked quickly at the door, then opened it.' The room revealed was a close little hall. Bound about a table sat five men while recumbent on a form at some distance lay another sleeping peacefully! “Wot the d’you want?” “Heard anything about those rockets?” queried the pressman. “Wot rockets?”

“Why there’s a ship supposed to be on the rocks! Haven’t you heard?” The recumbent one sprang to his feet.

“Rocks?” he wheezed.'' “Who said a ship was on the rocks?” The pressman did not wait to repeat his remark, but pushed once more into the cold, the six, by this time well-supplied against the storm, following closely at his heels. Up Read’s Quay through the hail — A little boy stepped out of tho night.

, A Pathetic Incident. “Mister,” he said frightenedly r “what’s the matter?”

The pressman stopped. “Why, son, who are you? There’s supposed to he a ship on the rocks —a big steamer !” “Not a lighter? Not a lighter?”

Oh, no! If it’s anything it’s a steamer.”

“Not a lighter, Mister,” pleaded the boy, ignoring the interruption. “It’s not a lighter! Father works out there in the Bay and: —” but» the little fellow was gone running wildly towards the store.

What his news would be none knew. Perhaps none cared. He and his were only an incident in an adventurous night—a pathetic one, perhaps. But —!

Down the street came hurrying feet There were men running. “Say, what’s tlie matter?”

It was the same old question, but one of the men had an answer-

“Matter enough!” he. yelled, excitedly, “there’s a ship on the rocks. Been sending up signals for the last hour!”

“Sure?” yelled the pressman, over the gale. “Sure enough!” he yelled, bacx. “Here’s a chap from the wreck!” Closer investigation proved that the chap was not a survivor. He was, however, something nearly as good from the news point of view. He came from Kaiti beach and had seen a vessel on the rocks, “sending up rockets in dozens.” He was quickly cornered and told liis story earnestly thus: A Stranger’s Story. “I’m a stranger to Gisborne. Been here only three days. Where do I live ? Wliy over the river on that big hill where there’s three or four 'batches.’ I woke up about 12 o’clock and heard rockets going. So I jumps out of bunk and there’s a big ship just below my feet on the sand, belching up rockets for all she’s-worth ! ' What did I do?

“Why, I out of bed. and put on my clotlies and rushes down to the beach, where there was several other people standing w ringin’ their hands. I looked for a while. Then I came into Gisborne for all I was worth and rooted up the Sergeant of police, and told hum what was doin’, and now I’m just on my way back to see what’s what. “My name? Oh, that doesn’t matter —I’m a stranger to Gisborne”—and he was gone!

Everybody waited patiently near the wharf and it was found that the Karoro, which left the wharf about 1.30 a.m- only went as far as the entrance and turned back. What had happened or what was wanted no one on shore seemed to be able, to. ascertain. The fact that the vessel was transmitting messages was very apparent to those who had been watching the lights. The scene is changed. Around the Kaiti Beach opposite Stoney Point stand a little group. Some have been there from 12 o’clock —it is now 1 o’clock. How some of them got there they hardly know, so thick was the prevailing hail storm. They . cluster ed around in a party, discussing how close the vessel might lie in to the beach and whether she had actually

struck.' Blow,. blow, blow! It was blowing Heavens hard. And with the wind came hail—large, sharp-edged hail'—and it cut the faces of the little party peering into the gloom. Among the crowd was Mrs Scott, who told a little simple narrative to a “Gisborne' Times” representative. “I heard a crash-; a bang, a rattle. I don’t know what it was.”

Turning to her husband she went on: “Said I to him, ‘Scott, what ia that ?’ We looked out; it was a rocket ; and ia vessel in shore. “I thought tlie first noise I -heard ivas the vessel crashing on the rocks, les, I did.”' Here Mr Scott interrupted- “Oh, no, you Were mistaken. It was merely the sound of the rocket.” Then Mrs Scott told how the rockets went up, one by one, a dozen she tin ught. “The stick of the last one,” she added, “just missed me.” A telegraph operator, Mr A. Amos, heard the signals and proceeded to the Kaiti beach. He noticed the vessel was sending signals, and lie procured a lamp from a sailor. He improvised a signalling lamp by covering the light with his hat and inquired what was wrong and received the following reply. “Rapidly dragging anchors on shore. Send a tug at once.” Mr Amos said that the letter T was then transmitted from the vessel with great regularity, but he could not tell what this meant. Apparently this was a nautical signal and he) could not tell what it was-

The wind was still howling from the south at this time accompanied by heavy sleet and hail. Siortly afterwards the little party on the beach broke up. They made f.nre the signals had been read by the harbor authorities and that a tug was being sent, and Mr and Mrs Scott alone remained. Later on, however, Dr. Wilson returned with a lamp. Again the scene is changed. Mr Mackay, ,pf the “Gisborne Times” staff, and others, who had been of the party on tlie Kaiti Beach, - quickly returned to the wharf. Rushing over to Captain Sewell’s office —if was a little after 1.30 a.m. — he knocked at tlie door and was adon n. ted.

“What do you know about the Star of Canada?” he inquired. , “Nothing much,” said Capt- Sewell.

“But she is believed to be on the rocks at-Kaiti?” continued the pressman. “I don’t think so,” the Captain replied. “Well I have just come from the beach and a message has been received thero to that effect.”

Captain Sewell rubbed his eyes and seemed flabbergasted. Shortly afterwards Mr Mackay heard Captain o-r 'give orders for steam to be gbz. ap on the Hipi. Upon the wharf by this time were •a dozen men, all dressed alike—waterproofs, etc., and they were' grumbling that nothing had been done in view of the summons.

Proceeding through the railway yard Mr Mackay and a member of his staff met a party including Captain Cumming and Captain Hawke, two men who had relatives on hoard the Mokoia, several.lighter hands and two other members of the “Gisborne Times” staff.

A little time before this, just after 1 o’clock, Captain Hawke, having been called at his house, had proceeded to the wharf as he expected the Mokoia, at once proceeded to the harbour store and secured several blue lights, ready as he had. said, to give her the signal, “Stand by till daylight,” believing as he did at this time that the steamer that was seen was tlie Mokoia.

Proceeding further along the railway line to the bridge crossing the Waikanae to the flagstaff he saw the lighted steamer and at once took her to he the Star of Canada and also said immediately that he.believed he could see the Mokoia’s dimmer lights as well to the left and closer to the shore. The apparent dimness of the lights led him to believe that the Mokoia was further out to sea, either anchored or cruising about. . In view of the distances at which he took the Mokoia to be. Captain Hawke, after further inquiry did not think it necessary to display the flares. The explanation to his belief was from what transpired later that the lights nearer the shore were those of the early arrivals on the Kaiti beach who were armed with hurricane lamps. .

Addressing Captain Gumming and Captain Hawke, Mr Mackay said ho had just come from the Kaiti beach and from what lie had seen and heard considered that the matter should be further investigated.

“Soyou have been on the beach, yourself,” said Captain Hawkes to the pressman. A flood of queries followed and Mr Mackay said, ‘ ‘Well let all go round and see for themselves.” At first incredulous Captain Hawkes said, “I v will : there must be something in it.”

% When the vessel came in full sight after the Cook Monument had been passed, Captain Hawkes said it was the Star of Canada all right.

“Do you think she is on the rocks?” he was asked.

‘-'Well, she is quite close enough in” was Captain Hawke’s reply. Just at this point the vessel which had been lying head to sea swung round broadside on. Captain Hawke said : “Well’ she’s afloat at-any rate.

That is quite certain. She is swinging to her anchor.” . Wliat seemed to trouble Captain Hawkes even -at this stage was as to which vessel had sent up the rockets. He was inclined, to think the Star of Canada might he all right and that the vessel which had signalled might have been the Mokoia which had later taken her departure. When he heard the description of the rockets and others were met on the beach who declared that it was the vessel before them that had sent them up, he said: “We will soon find out with the lamp.”

'ejotis uioji SuiiieuSis

First, an ordinary hurricane lamp, with flickering flame and by a “bun” hat, was Used, but to little use, although the signalman aboard was eager to pick up what fragments he could. Each time, he acknowledged the message, but had to call “repeat.” It was difficult work, what with,the driving slanting rain and tne feeble flicker of the glass-smoked lamp. One or words could be got from tlie boat such as “ship” and the abbreviation “ash,” quite evidently indicating “ashore.” Then the ship’s lamp gave it up, as though disgusted •and willing to let the good ship meet her fate.

Just then Stergt- J. Lloyd, of tlie Mounted Rifles and who had served as a signalman in the volunteer cadets, offered his services—at ten minutes from 3 a.m. The young volunteer found the hurricane lamp pretty much a waste of time, and snatched at an acetylene bicycle lamp he espied in the crowd. 'Soon now, with peaked cap as shutter, he spoke out with regular “dots” and dashes” and had very soon called tho steamer up. It was tedious work, with the impromptu instruments, but an answer was finally deciphered. “Ship ashore,” came the first words, as near as could be read, and an appeal for “repeat,” brought out the usual acknowledgement and the steady flickered words: “Ship in Distress,’’ “Ship Ashore,” and further calling resulted in the additional words, “send a tug”, and then what the signallers took to be “m—a —n,” but nothing further could be elicited. Just then, without warning, and, as someone remarked, in order “to emphasise tlie point,” a distress signal was given iii) the shape of a rocket —a double-report one, fired always in the case of distress. “Tug Cbming.”

On Captain Hawkes’ advice the signaller sent the words, “tug coming” and with that Captain Hawkes dashed off.

Those remaining believed they saw a light gliding from the entrance towards the ship in distress and flickered out “a tug seems to be coming-” No answer came, and the party left for the wharves.

it could not be plainly seen, but it was surmised that tho tug Hipi had set out. This was concluded from the fact that she had just come down stream and was ready. By this time (3.15 a.m.), the squall had partially subsided, and the morning assumed a peaceful calm. Even if tlie Star of Canada was hard and fast (and it was not now known), the danger of her being damaged was lessened, and Captain Hawkes believed her as snug as possible under the circumstances, until the morning. He told a “Times” reporter that the Star of Canada was less than half-a-mile from the shore and that- she appeared Hard' and fast.

THE HIPI’S TRIP.

AN ADVENTUROUS CRUISE.

IN A MOUNTAINOUS SEA

Half-past two saw the little tug Hipi lying alongside a lighter with steam up. The .‘captain came aboard a few minutes later and your representative explained his business.

“H’m,” said the captain. “Yes, I suppose you can come.” “What sort of sea is outside, cap-

“Pretty bad, reporter.” Then, as an afterthought: “You come tit your own risk, you know !” “Oh, yes!”

Three resounding hoots on the miniature vessel’s syren brought half-a-dozen stalwart lightermen from somewhere among the sheds. Big men these, with their oilskins and sou’vesters glistening in the lamplightThe engineers -were already aboard toiling in a red and comfortably warm-looking hole. “Cast off, fore and aft!”

A voice came from the wharf on the other side of the lighter, “Take a passenger, Captain ?” “Too risky; no passengers. Cast off fore and aft,” and with a cling-clang of her engine bells the'Hipi put out and steamed down the harbor. Once round the belid a head sea was met and the little vessel literally stood up on her hind legs with her bow pointing skywards. The reaction was sickening. An awful sinking feeling as her head came down again, and then a splash and a great wave surged over the little vessel. To the mere landsman it was fearful, but to Jhosc accustomed to working the Hipi it was nothing. “Sho certainly looks close in,” observed the Captain, the while his own

vessel roared up on end on meeting the violent surge at the entrance to tlie river. “Yes,” agreed his companion. “She’s on the rocks all-right!” A Vain Attempt.

Thq little boat stood out, neared the vessel which by this time was winking her signals from a morse lamp suspended on her mast. A light was sling ovei’ the eide of the silicon Jho rocks, and then could bo seen intermittently as the Hipi topped the roller?, he;eg lost again as she sank into the deep trough of the sea. It could now be seen, that the vessel was lying stern on about half a mile from the shore with her midships quarters well-down, but with all her lights going, thus indicating that there was nothing the matter with the engine room.

The Hipi tried gallantly, but it was too risky.

“Put about old chap,” said the captain’s companion, and the Hipi swung round obediently, reeling as her broadside met the seas.

“What do you make of her?’’ “The Mokoia!” “That’s not the Mokoia. it’s the ‘Star!’ ”

Again < the captain made the Hipi perform that awful revolution and again he tried to get close to her, but a reef threatened and once more lie turned for home, the Hipi riding much more easily with her stern to tire southerly than with it dead in her eye.

She was half way home again- All hands were agreed that the distressed vessel wa.s the Mokoia when again the distressed one sent up signals, hooting mournfully with her syren.

“It’s no use, boys. I’ll have to go back !’’ said the captain, and all hands assented, while the Hipi once again performed the dangerous turn and steamed for the stranger. To within a cable’s length she went, and then the Hipi’s engines were reversed and, taking advantage of the vessel’s lee, went right close under her bows, those on board reading the name “Star of Canada’ ’and making sure for the .first time of the name of the vessel.

The Hipi was carried closer, dancing the while on the gigantic waves.

Within Biscuit Throw

..Soon a biscuit could have been tossed from one vessel to the other, and a line of some thirty desolate-looking men could be seen leaning over the stranded vessel’s rail amidships.-

The gale still kept up its racket, and it was difficult to hear. “We’ll have to come back in the morning!” bawled the Hipi. “We want you to take an anchor out!” yelled the Star in reply. “We’ll come back at daylight, reiterated the dancing Hipi hoarsely. “All very well for you,” came the answer, “but what about us?”

“What’s the matter? You’re not sinking!” “Water in No. 1,2 and 3!!” The seas became worse, the Hipi's engine bell rang full speed alpaad. I‘Let Wellington know!” came the last word from the stranded vessel, and the Hipi came back to Gisborne, leaving the Star of Canada to the one or two hours that remained of the darkness.

Tlie Hipi’s captain and crew had dene their best, and it was a gallant best to be out in such a Lilliputian craft on such a night!

captain Bailey, the Tyser Line’s Marine Superintendent, was informed of the disaster at an early hour this morning.

Various Versions.

Although the rockets did not actually awaken slumbering Gisborne, the signals served to make an odd few bestir themselves.

“She’s going ashore,” panted Mr J. F- Pettie, licensee of the Masonic Hotel, to those assembled near the Karoro at about 1 a.m.

“Go home,” said someone, and the well-meant warning was accepted rather with jeers than gratification. “All right,” said Mr Pettie, “I I now quite well she wouldn’t go in that far. I’ll wager she’s on the beach.”

“And Scot’s say so, and they should know,” interjected a new arrival. “Something should be clone. Look, she’s signalling.” But the signals were unheeded.

The Star of Canada) is owned by the Tyser Company, and is of 12,000 tons burthen. She is commanded by Captain Hart. She left Lyttelton on Wednesday and arrived here early on Friday morning to load frozen meat and wool for Home. At 5.30 o’clock the position was unaltered*

A DREAM.

In troublous times, or times of impending disaster, they say, or at least it generally turns out, people have apparitions or visions. And one such case occurred this morning.

Mr Ogilvie, whose mother was to arrive by the Mokoia from Auckland, was unable to rest, the same as the rest of his household. And strange to say, another relation called him out soon after midnight. Mrs Ogilvie was nervous, and claimed that, as she slept, she saw a shipwreck. The womenfolk would have nothing but that Mr Ogilvy and his relation should make inquiries. Just then the rockets were fired, and the men folk made post-haste for the wharf. In intense anxiety for nearly three hours, they did not know that it was

not the Mokoia ashore until 3 a.m. Tuatea was to go out at 6 a-m. The Union S.S- Company's Tuatea was to leave at 6 o’clock this morning to try and assist the Star of Canada. The Mokoia from Auckland was signalled at Tuahine lighthouse at 10 o’clock last evening, but up to an early hour this morning she had not entered the Bay.