Shipwrecks near Melbourne.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 12 May 1891, Page 2

Shipwrecks near Melbourne.

« The ship Joseph Scammell has become a total wresk, but the crew reached shore iv the ship's boats. The Craigburn lies in a dangerous position, and is withiu 200 yards of •the breakers. The tugs sent from Melbourne are in attendance on the disabled vessel. The ship Joseph Fcamme 1, from New York, totally wrecked near Cape Otway, was valued at £10,000 aud her cargo f 60,000. Tho boats in which the crew saved their lives were lowered with great difficulty. The four-masted ship Craigburn came ashore during the niglit. Fourteen of the crew left the ship in one boat and stood out to s.^a. Fifteen in anothor boat attempt od to land oi the beach, but the boat capsized four times, and five of the occupants were drowned. The cap! ains of the tugs which were sent from Melbourne to render assistance immecl iate-y the casualty was reported, made several offers to tow the ship c'ear of the bteakers, but the captain firmly df olined to accept the proffered help. The pilot who was on board the Craigburn strongly protested against the action of the c-iptain, aud despite his refusal gave orders for the tug- to take the vessel iv tow, at the same time locking the captain up in his cabin. The tugs made fast to the ship, but here another difficulty presented

itself, as the carpenter of the vessel, who sided with the captain, declined to supply steam to tbe winches, with which to hoist the anchors. A. few minutes later, the tugs being unaware that the anchors were not up, went ahead, but carried everything away. The pilot then left the Bhhft and the captain again, tookfjwsr session, ' I t The Craigburn soon began, to bump heavily, and the crew made preparations to leave her. The captain declined to g n ashore vrith the men, and most of the crew took to the boats, those remaining on the sh ; p being the captain, ohief, mate, carpenter, and one seaman. There wero still three boats pn board. The first boat with fourteen of the crew, which stood to sea in charge of the pilot, arrived at Queenscliff in safety. No further details are yet to hand. Those of the crew of the ship Craigburn who were drowned by the capsizing of the boat in attempting to reach the beach are Blackburn, Whitefield, Johnson, McKearson, and McFarlane. Many of the survixers were severely injured. The Rocket Brigade fired a line across the ill-fated vessel,' for the purpose of rescueing the captain, mate, carpenter, and a sailor who had refused to leave the ship when the others left. The carpenter was the first wiio essayed the waves, and though he was completely covered by the waves twice, he was landed in safely. The captain followed, and aftei. a hard struggle reached the shore in an unconscious state. The mate declined to make the attempt, and McKenzie, the sailor, remained on board with him. Eventually the vessel began to break up rapidly, and when only two of the four masts were left standing the mate aridyMc&enzie^ agreed! to risk Rocket Brigadeßne. '■■■'^^igjSefyrM landed safely ibut the i -Jinateywas drowned.— Press Association; 1