FOUNDERING OF A BRITISH IRONCLAD.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 242, 18 October 1870, Page 3

FOUNDERING OF A BRITISH IRONCLAD.

Tho British ironclad Captain, on returning from a naval review, encountered a storm on 7th September, and foundered at sea. There were five hundred persons on board, and but one boat's crew hns yet been heard of.

A London special says a private telegram received in this city states that eighteen of the crew of the iron-clad Captain were saved. New York, September 10.—The World's special Ims a telegram that Admiral Nullva, on board H.M. ship Lord Warden, off Cape Finisterre, on the 7th instant, received, via Lisbon, Says the Captain must have foundered during the night. He was close to the ship at two o'clock this morning. A sudden gile, came up from tho south-east, with very heavy sea ; at daybreak the Captain was missing. We found one of her boats adrift, and several of her spars floating. I fear all on board of her perished, to the number of 500 souls. Londox, September 10.—Experts believe that the Captain was run down by some unknown vessel. Her steam power was so great-that the story of her having gone ashore is scarcely credited. London, September 10.—As the fragments of the Capta-n thus far found do not belong to vital parts of the ship, it is thought her hull may have drifted seaward. Fiom the accounts given of the storm it seems that the gale increasing on Wednesday morning the signal was given to " wear; iMp/' The Captain's responsive signal Wai'n'Ot-seen ; the. rest of the fleet ran befoi'e'itliigiWirid until put of sight of the Captain r •wjieaiat' seven o'clock a heavy squall cames up? perhaps, proved fatal to! .th]e irdn-clad, J laying' her on her beamß-end, or driving htir bows' finder. The bodies founii were-those of the men whose duty it wast; ttf !' wear* ship." It is possible the vessel was'driveh* to, sea and the bodies of the men found were washed from the deck. The names of the officers and the seventeen men who are said to be saved are unknown.

London", Sept. 11.— Admiral Milne makes the following report,'-of the circumstances attending the: disappearance of the iron-clad Captain:—l was on board the 'Captain the evening of the 6tbv Eveiything wa3 in good order. A tacking'trial"began in the afternoon. The breeze was moderate, ■ [and the ships earned theroyal at the fore.:1 In the evening the breeze freshened, the Captain making from 11 to 13 knots. It was observed that the eea breached over her lee deck, her gunwales sometimes being- level with the water line of the Captain. .:At 5.30 p.m., when she was 20 miles off Finisterre, the evolutions were resumed,'and continued from 8 to 10 p.m., the ships being at their designated positions. A westward course was taken. At-11 p.m. the wind freshened, the barometer fell and a gale sprang up. Our sails were reefed. The Captain was close astern the flagship, steaming steadily and gaining on us. I noticed at 11.15-p.m. that she was six points abaft our beam, keel over very much. Her light, a>few mintites later, was still visible;' after Vrhieh T think: the vain shut her out. I At dawn ten ships of'the fleet wer.eto be -seen, but the Captain was missing. • Vessels scattered to search for her,; -when- fragments of the; wreck were found; but no survivors could be discovered. ■< v

London Sept. 11. —Eighteen- of the crew of the Captain were saved off Cape Carribede. They, report that another boat full of. people* was stoti in and upset, and all on boavdj Lst. ,T.; -.■■■; " •- '■■■'■ ■'- -