WRECK OF A BARQUE

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1375, 9 February 1905, Page 2

WRECK OF A BARQUE

THE MAYFIELD GOES ON ROCKS DURING GALE.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Received 9.55 p.m., Feb 8. Launcestion, Fob 8. Tbe steamer Konookarra has arrived from Hobart, bringing 28 of the crew of tbe barque Mayfield, which was totally wrecked at Swan Island, Bass Straits,“on Sunday afternoon. The Mayfiold left Goelong on February 2nd with three thousand tons of wheat for Queenstown. She was caught in a gale and driveo ashore, striking tho island. Captain Roberts, seeing there was no hope of saving the vessel, ran her ashore on a sandy beach, and she settled down in six fathoms. A portion of the crew landed, but when tho boat returned for the remainder it waß carried away to tho East coast by the current and heavy wind. The boat was picked up by the Konookarra and those on the island were also taken off. Tho vessel is owned by tbe Shaw, Savill Company, and is only insured for half its value. There is not the slightest chance of saving tho vessel, or even for salvage. The captain states that it was blowing a whole gale when she struck. Received 10.4 p.m., Feb 8.

The captain of the Mayfield states that the port lifeboat got away to the island after great difficulty, but the other boats were smashed before they could be launched. The port life boat struck the rocks in landing. On Monday the men who landed tried to reach the ship with a whaleboat from the lighthouse, but the seas were too heavy. At noon on Monday the boat hitohed on to the port bow and took off the chief mate and nine hands, leaving six men and himself (the captain) clinging' to the rigging. The boat made another attempt, but was carried away to the eastwards. The weather moderated yesterday, and the whaleboat rescued the remainder, after having been lashed to the rigging for 37 hours, with the waves breaking over the vessel. They suffered terribly from cold and hunger.