WRECK AND LOSS OF LIFE AT THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 98, 25 January 1868, Page 4

WRECK AND LOSS OF LIFE AT THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS.

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. The following additional particulars of the wreck of the General Grant, at the Auckland Islands, appeared in the Colonist :■ — “ Upon the ship striking against the great perpendicular cliffs, the jib-boom was carried away. She then dropped astern about half-a-mile, and again struck on a projecting point, and carried away her spanker boom and rudder, and finally canted head foremost into a cave 250 feet deep, the foremast striking against the top of the cave, and the bowsprit and cathead being carried away by the falling of the maintopgallantmast. Pieces of rock fell down and smashed in the forecastle. The ship lay helpless in this condition till daylight, striking heavily the whole time forward, while there was 25 fathoms of water under the stern. At daylight the pinnace was launched, and three meii were sent in her with lines and a hedge belayed for hauling out other boats. After some time the gig was launched and got out of the cave safely with the chief officer, three seamen, and ten passengers. The' main-topmast then came down, and the ship forged farther into the cave. The mainmast got loose through coming into contact with the shelving roof of the cave. The heel of the mast started the ship’s bottom, and the vessel began to settle down very fast. ~ ; ’ . On the tide rising, the wind and sea increased also, and the women were hastily got into the boats, Mrs. Jewell, the stewardess, being lifted out by, whips fell into the sea, but was rescued by her husband. Two passengers and Jewell then jumped' into the boat. . The gig got clear of the' breakers, and five men got into the pinnace. The lohg boat with cmjbqajfd i sank amidst the breakers, and j only three men, Ashworth’ Haymansj and Pengelly, were saved out of-the forty souls. The captain was seen on the mizen top waving his handcherchief, with one man 'by his side, and* at this moment the ship instantly ■ •sank and both disappeared with her. ; The gig and pinnace lay-to for some time, but {it being evident that all the rest on board they steered forddisappointtnent Island. Whes halfway there night 'came on, and the survivors landed on a rbckrto. pass ’the night. Next morning, they again took to; the boats, and landed , -oh “Sarah’s Bosom," and therei was-only > one lucifer match amongst the party. ! For 3 several days an active search wag ‘instituted for the food deft <by the-Me'!-

bourne Government steamer Victoria, and the p.s. Southland, but -without effect. While on the island, the party suffered much from dysentery, owing probably _to the nature of the food, as they had to live on seals and mussels, occasionally succeeding in catching a pig or goat. They made clothing from bedding, &c., and also from sealskins. Musgrave’s hut was found, but it contained no food ox* clothing. One passenger died from hardship. Signal fires were constantly kept burning during the whole time of their stay on the island. The party wex*e i*escued on the 21st November, when the Amherst made the island. An official enquiry, held at Wellington, has closed. Verdict: Cause of wreck not known, but the jury believe the vessel to have been accidentally lost.