LOSS OF BUSINESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1918, Page 4

LOSS OF BUSINESS.

FURTHER PARTICULARS

AUCKLAND, July U

The Cardiff-owned barque Inverness bound from Durban to Iquiquo with a cargo of coal, was burned at sea in the South Pacific, on April 27th. The crow numbering 24, reached Auckland this morning from Papeete, having made an adventurous voyage of 6GO miles in open boats to Papa Island, the nearest land.

It is understood that the fire was due to spontaneous combustion in the cargo The crew were unable to cheek its progress, and when ii* became apparent that the ship was doomed, all stores possible were put into two boats and the whole crew embarked in them. r l lie boats set sail northwards for Papa. Fortunately, the weather was moderate, with favourable winds, and both boats reached land, one in nine days, and the other in ten days.

Captain Hughes, and the first mate (Totman) commanded the boats. The boats were fairly well provisioned end the men’s chief anxiety appears to have been for'their supply of water which they carefully husbanded. On making land they still had a supply in the tanks, but all had suffered a good deal from thirst-, the lips of some becoming cracked and brown in colour.

At Rapa, the only white man was the French Administrator, who at once (lid everything in bis power to supply the needs of tile castaways. The natives the crew say, were kindness' itself. In about- six weeks an auxiliary schooner, which had temporarily replaced n steamer, called at the islanu and the crew left in her for Papeete. At Papeete the crew were eared for by the British Consul, who got passages for them on the Flora, which was leaving for Auckland almost- at once.

The Inverness was a fine steel barque of 1050 tons register, and was built on the Clyde in 1902. For a sailing ship, she was quite a new vessel. Up to last year she was registered at Aberdeen.

“A faithful friend is the medicine ct life.”—Proverb. The faithful friend is the unfailing friend. That aptly describes Baxter's Lung Preserver. It is one you can always depend upon. When your head is all stuffed up with a cold, when your throat is sore and painful, when that chest cough keeps you awake at night, good old Baxter’s can always be relied upon to give you relief. Keep it handy. Large bottle 2/-\ All chemists and stores.