TALE OF THE SEA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 276, 25 October 1883, Page 2

TALE OF THE SEA.

The crew of the ship Westminster, of Dublin, which was lost dating agate m the Atlantic, have been landed at Liverpool from the Btaamer Australian. The story which the poor fellows tell show that they have undergone some terrible sufferings. The Westminster, which was under command of Captain Morris, and has a crew of 23 bands, left Quebec, bound for Liverpool with a timber cargo on board . On Monday week, about 4 o'clock m the afternoon, when the vessel was 700 miles from Gape Clear, a gale sprung lap, which soon faisfd a terrified sea, which .swept the decks fore and aft. The cargo shifted, the deck cargo, the boats, and the deckhouse? were washed away, the sails were blown to pieces; and the rudder being damaged, the vessel became unmanageable } and rolled helplessly m the trough of the sea. When the stoim was at its height five men were at the steering gear. They were struck by a heavy sea and some of thY deck timber. The second mate and others of the crew were severely. injured. Some of the men took refuge m the rigging, and others on the poop, and m this position they remained until Thursday, each man, getting only a biscuit a day and a small quantity of limejuice. Several of the men became very exhausted, and had. not assistance; been at hand some of them would have ex pired. On Thursday afternoon the Australian came In sight, and seeing the signals of distress , flying on the Westminster, bore down upon her, and the crew, m a very exhausted condition, were taken on board the steamer. The Wesminster was a Quebec built ship, of 1426 tons.