WRECK OF A BARQUE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2327, 21 October 1908, Page 5

WRECK OF A BARQUE.

THE FIFESHIRE STRIKES A

REEF

NO HOPE OF RE-FLOATING

THE CREW SAFE

United Press Association. Copyright (Received Oct. 20, 9.30 p.m.)

SYDNEY, Oct. 20

The crew of the British barque Fifeshire reached Sydney to-day by the Island steamer Muniara, the barque having been wreckecl oil the Island of Tabitewa, in the Gilbert Group. The Fife-sli-ire left- Newcastle for Portland, Oregon, on August 2nd, with a cargo of 2000 tons of coal, and on* the afternoon of August- 10th, in fine weather, she was bow’ ; -vm-along with a fair wind, when she struck a submerged shoal to leeward of Tabitewa. with such force that she was carried over oil to a second slioal, where she remained, bumping heavily. The crew, twenty-four all told, launched the boats and reached the island of Tebarabati, where they were kindly treated by the xatives, and were then-conveyed to Tarawa, where they boarded- the Muniara. The latest report states that the .Fifeshire is lying firmly on. the. reef, on an even keel, with all her masts standing. There is apparently no hope of 1 refloating her, but she as saleable.

The disaster is- attributed to the strong southerly current, and there was no break visible on the reef which indicated danger.

(Received Oct. 21, 12.50 a.m.)

The Fifeshire was insured in a Home office for £6OOO. The wreck and the cargo have been sold for £5 to a Sydney firm of Chinese island traders.

The captain attributes the wreck to striking an unchartered shoal unknown to masters of vessels trading to the islands. -