AN ISLAND WRECK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2363, 2 December 1908, Page 6

AN ISLAND WRECK.

THE BARQUE ALEIDA.

AiSHORE IN A LAGOON

The barque Emprcza, which arrived at Auckland from Sunrise Island on Friday morning, brought further particulars of the wreck of the Norwegian barque Aleida at Surprise Island on October 28.

The Aleida sailed from Dunedin on October 2 in ballast for Surprise Island, and arrived there in October 28. At that place she was to take on board a cargo of 1800 tons of guano for Devon port (Tasmania). The loading anchorage at the island is situated on the northern side of a large circular reef, many miles in circumference. The entrance to tin’s lagoon lies to the west of the island, but .in order to gain an anchorage it is necessary to keep clear of an inner-reef about a mile long, living east and west.

At the time of the disaster the weather was cloudy and a strong breeze was blowing from the eastward. The weather was too rough for the manager and pilot of the island (Milt. M. Thompson) to board the Aleida, and her master (Captain H. M. Bernsteii) decided to navigate the vessel himself.

The barque cleared the reef safely on the western edge to tlie sharp angle on the channel. At this point the Aleida missed stays and had' to “wear” round more than if she had been far enough to windward. Nearly all the sail was set, and in coming up to the eastern end of the reef the vessel grounded right on to the end of it, her stern catching first on the coral.

Captain Bernsten immediately had the boats launched, and every effort was made to get her off again, but without success. Anchors were lowered to keep the boat from drifting further on to the reef, but' the huw"sers ‘‘parted during’the night. The barque bumped heavily, and water soon found its way into the Judds. All hands were called to the pumps, but in a'very short time the -vessel had 10ft of water in her hold. Captain Bernsten then gave up all hope of saving the vessel. On the 30th ho signalled to the manager on the island, “Vessel sprung a leak; can’t he got off now by any means now available.; will have to abandon.” The rigging, yards, and sails were dismantled and placed ready lor" removal ashore. The crew were living on the doomed vessel when tlie Einpreza. left for Auckland, but they intended to leave for Noumea on November 20.

-A member of the crew —a boy named Purdie —returned to Auckland by the Emprcza, and will proceed to Dunedin, where lie signed on. The wrecked barque was an iron vessel of 1115 tons gross and 1065 tons net register, and was built in 1887. She was owned bv Mr P. Ohristofferseh, of Ivedesland, Norway, and is believed to be partly insured.