The Hawaiian gazette., 1894-09-21

I UTSN hEAANAF II vas CSNh NAtN AAOA
| lower topsails were set on both the
! fore and main maSts, with the InizZen
mast cleSr. Her jib and foretopmast
/ staysail had also been set, but were
/ torn 70 pieces
The wreck struck about half a mile
/ from ka Lac ka lilo point. She lies
| in a small cove, in about three faith
/ oms of water. Even in her distress,
she shows what splendid piece Of sea
I architecture she WAS. She had q
strong list TO port, and the waves were
/ beating her numerically, and dashing
over her decks, but she never moved,
and seemed, even in her dire distress, 10
defy the power that had been her
ruin. Her rigging, with the eNeep-
! ton OF the jibS and one Of the yards, was
in good condition, and looked As clean
and as clear-cut As when II was put on.
Back of the wreck, the cliffs rose,
black and forbidding. They came
straight down 10 the waters edge,
and afforded no place whatever for 3
shipwrecked crew to land, and 1t is
hardly surprising that the sailors
Of the Wilcox wanted 10 get clear of
the wreck before there was any
chance of their being compelled to
swim for their lives. A man, no matter
how strong a swimmer he was would
have very little chance of saving him.
self if once he was thrown in that
ehuruiug mass OF water.
A boat WAS at once lowered from the
IwalanI, with Captain Freeman, Mate
Gregory, Purser Kelly, and two of
the newspaper men and native crew
in II. As the whalebOat drew near
the stern Of the wreck, the name sc.
y. Wilcox would be seen for mo-
ment above the waves, then would
disappear, and the whole wreck be
euveleped in foam from the breakers.
When the wreck was reached and
boarded, a scene of desolation met
the eve. The bark had listed way to
port, and the water was dashing over
her decks and humping her sides with
q terrific force. The vessel was board
ed at the stern, and the first place made
for was the cabin, but the water was
too high in the companionway to get
down the stairs. The skylight over
the dining saloon was half open, and
an entrance was effected in that way,
by swinging down and standing on the
saloon table. When once there, the
water was found to be over waist
deep. Tables, chairs, boxes, sticks of
wood. curtains, every imaginable
thing that forms the furniture OF
ship's cabin and state rooms, was
floating around in confusion. An en-
trance was made TO the store room,
and to the captains cabin.
The first things that were saved
were the ships instruments. On
81 20 l-ar,
out of the standards. Below, the
ships chronometer and the captains
barometer were saved, as well as the
cabin clock. The latter had stopped
st 3 80, probably yesterday morning.
The barometer, when found, regis
tered 1910; the indicator showed 5000,
which was probably where it stood
when the bark struck.
In the captains cabin, everything
showed hasty departure. a chart
of the islands was spread out on the
chart table, several drawers in the
captains chest were open, the safe
was open, and the ships books were
in one of the drawers. Everything
pointed to tie fact that no time had
been wasted between the time the
unfortunate vessel struck and when
the crew left.
In the store room, things were in
the greatest confusion. 1t was
splendidly stocked store room. Tin
ned delicacies were in profusion, cases
of wine and beer, hams, sausages,
were floating around in confusion. A
few of the things were thrown into
the boat, and taken on board the Iva
lani.
After the cabin had been explored
as much as was possible, the amateur
wreckers went on deck, intending to
return to the Iwalani. About the
middle of the main deck was ths ships
dingy. Captain Freeman made up
his mind to save it, if possible. 1t was
q ticklish task, as, the main deck be-
ing lower than the other parts of the
ship, the full force of the waves was
felt. Mountains of water rolled up the
deck, and then back, striking the up
per rail with q crash that could be
heard almost as far as the Iwalani. |
This portion of the deck had to be !
crossed to reach the dingy. Some of !
those who were trying to reach the !
boat crawled along the rail. Mr.. God !
frey, the Bulletin correspondent, |
thought the safer way was to cross the |
deck and came near losing his life in |
the attempt. When he had reached /
the middle Of the deck, a large wave |
dashed over the ship. AS it receded, |
its force was terrible. Godfrey caught /
hold Of something solid, and held on 1
for his life. The force of the water |
nearly tore him from his hold, aud for I
q few seconds it seemed as though he I
must be doomed. But he held on, and /
before the next wave came he was in I
safety. The dingy was cut loose, .
the efforts Of Captain Free I
man and Mr. Godfrey, and was brought .
over in the Iwalani.
After the first boat returned TO the I
steamer Captain Wolters, the master .
Of the wrecked vessel, and c. L. 4
Wight returned TO the wreck. Cap 4
tain WOlters wanted to get some OF .
his private papers and books Besides I.
these, he brought back as many Of his .
clothes as were in good condition,
aud quite lot Of provisions.
The Iwalani left for the return trip
at half past six. The tug had left an
hour before. The Iwalani arrived 1
about half past ten.
Captain Wolters was nearly worn
out by the fatigue and excitement he
had experienced since the time his
ship struck, and shortly after the
rEs nj 1-rf-ad h. vrcuf 70 sfaar for {