By Connor

By Connor The Wahine Disaster

I am a survivor of the Wahine disaster and I am going to tell about my story

On the 10th of April 1968 at 5:50am I had packed and was leaving for the wellington harbour.

As I waited for the boat I heard this big horn going off as the Wahine pulled into the harbour. The wind was blowing at round about 90 kph but boats had come in at stronger winds before.

Just as the boat reached the narrow passage before the entrance the wind suddenly increased to round about 180kph.

We finally got out after we had fought the waves for about half an hour. The visibility was poor but we went anyway.The captain ordered full astern and started to reverse. Then all of a sudden there was a loud bang the boat had crashed onto Barret reef. The crash knocked off the starboard propeller and then the port engine stopped.

7The boat started sinking and people were screaming in terror I managed to get out of the ship in time before it started filling up. I thought I was going to drown because I was getting tired but then I saw a rescue boat coming.People stood helplessly on the beach at Seaton as the Wahine was in one of the worst storms recorded in New Zealand history. It seemed impossible that so many lives could be lost so close to shore. Although the main cause of the accident was the terrible weather conditions. I managed to survive after a rescue boat came and got me and a few others.

I was so lucky to survive that day, if it wasnt for the guys in the rescue boat.

After that tragedy on a boat I dont think I wont go on one again!

Bibliography http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/wahine-disasterFreeplay MusicOrchestral Soundscapes Volume 62010Soundtrack41012.098eng - Composed By: Eric Bolvin, ASCAP (100%) Published By: Freeplaynjj, ASCAP (100%)