TOTAL LOSS OF THE WELL-KNOWN NEW ZEALAND TRADER "BELLE CREOLE."

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 317, 14 November 1855, Page 5

TOTAL LOSS OF THE WELL-KNOWN NEW ZEALAND TRADER "BELLE CREOLE."

To (he Editor of the Arc/us. Siu, —I be }«■ you will insert in your widely circulated journal the following particulars re sp'.'cLinu: the loss of the banjue Belle Creole, of tliis port. We sailed from Wellington, N.Z., on. the 24ih August, 1855, laden with a valuable oarjjo of butter, potatoes, and other produce, 23 pasBenirers, and 14 of a crew. For eight days

after sailing we experienced strong south—westerly winds, and afterwards moderate weather, with variable winds, the sun generally obscured. On Wednesday, sth September, we were in lat. 40 14 S., long. 150 9 E., by partial observation; on 6th September, weather bdng hazy, had no observation ; sighted land about five p.m., bearing S.W.. which I supposed to be the Van Dieman's Land Coast, on the south side Banks' Straits, and about six p.m. saw land bearing W.N.W., distant 25 miles, supposed to be Cape Barren. Kept the vessel on under easy sail, for Banks' Straits, the wind blowing about a threeknot breeze, and anxiously expecting every moment to see the light upon Swan Island, s.hen, at 10 pm., the vessel struck on a sandbank. Every means were immediately used to get the vessel off, but without effect. The wind increasing, vessel continued to strike heavily until about four a.m. on 7ih of September, when she began to make water, and at daylight, the pumps having been kept, constantly going, found nine feet water in the ;hold. immediately cleared away the boats, and with great difficulty embarked the passengers and crew, without being able to save any portion of the luggage, the sea now making a breach over the ship. After pulling about five boms we, with the help of Divine Providence, arrived at Vansittart, or Gun-carriage Island, where every attention was paid to us by Messrs. Beedon and Tucker, the residents on the island. On the following, morning, having, obtained the loan of two whale boats, with which and our own life boat, we proceeded to the wreck, to endeavour to save what was possible ; but, in consequence of the sea running so high, only succeeded in saving part of the passenger's clothes, and the mail, perfectly saturated with water. Found that the vessel was now completely bilged and getting embedded in the sand, the sea making a clean breach over her. On Sunday. 9th September, the sea running so high, could not get to the wreck, and so deemed it prudent to proceed towards Melbourne 1 in our own boats, and one belonging to Mr Beedon, in which we arrived at night at the south end of Long Island. On the following day we made Clarke's, and on Tuesday, 11th September, arrived in safety on Swan Island, at which place we remained until 23rd September, when the passengers, mates, and myself weie taken on board the Sword Fish, of Hobart Town, and landed in safety at Geelong, on 29th September, having received the utmost kindness and attention from Capt. Roberts. The crew wore sent on to Hobart Town in the schooner Emily Leuon. The bank on which the vessel struck is at leaH ten miles from Vausittari Island, and, from information which I have subsequently obtained, it is a quicksand and ftequuutiy shifting its position. The nearest danger laid down in the charts extends only about two miles from the shore, and it is the opinion of the residents of Vansittart Island, that in a few days there may be three or four fathoms of water, where the wieck now lies. From the prevalence of southerly winds there must have been a strong current setting to tiie northward, which carried us fully twenty miles out jof our course. During the twenty four hours we had no observation. The vessel, cargo, and freight, of which I was part owner, are not insured. I am, sir, &c, Jamks Henton, Late Master of the Belle Creole. Melbourne, 20th September, 1555.