LOSS OF HELEN B. STERLING.

Story of the Captain.

WELLINGTON (N.Z.), Saturday. - Cap-tain Harris, master of the schooner. Helen B. Sterling, which was abandoned in a sinking condition, the crew being rescued by H.M.A.S. Melbourne, in a statement on the voyage, says that the schooner left Newcastle on January 5. All went well for the first week, when there was a strong "blow" from the south-east, and the ship began to leak. The gasoline engine for the pumps broke down. The second officer never left the deck and the water in the hold was pumped by hand. On January 19 the weather cleared, but the next day the wind blew very hard, and men were washed away from the pumps. On Sunday, at half past 5 o'clock, the mainmast went over the   side. 


The schooner sent out the "S O S" call, and received word from H.M.A.S. Mel-bourne. After that a mistake was made in giving the position of the schooner, which was not discovered until after 11 o'clock.The position was sent out, and an answer was received from the Melbourne, stating, ''We will reach you about 2 a.m. Keep a good heart. The Melbourne will do all she can."Captain Harris added that the ship was almost awash when abandoned. The gale was the worst he had experienced in his42 years at sea.