THE WRECK OF THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 284, 30 November 1877, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH.

The following is the captain's report in reference to the wreck of the barque Queen of the South, bound from Mauritius to Dune-din-and Lyttelton, the loss of which -was recently reported by cable. Captain Miles says: — " We left Port Louis on the 29th of September, and on the 27th October, when in latitude 43 south, troubles commenced by squally weather aad rough seas. On the 28th the mainmast sprung and had to be cut away, but in falling it carried away the mizen topmast and sprung the mizen masthead, smashing the lifeboat and skids and carrying away the. compass. The gig was also smashed by debris falling from aloft, leaving only one one boat. On the 2nd November the foresail was burst and blew to pieces, leaving them no masts to heave-to and no sails to set. The sea broke over the vessel and damaged the wheel, aud stove in the remaining boat. The next day the weather moderated, and a course for Hobart Town was steered, but when on the 4th she was about 4 miles from Act&on Keef she struck on a reef. Got the creir and passengers into the boats, which were patched as well as could be, and made sail for Cloudy Bay, which it was hoped could be reached before the vessel foundered; but, seeing no hope, the captain left her, and Immediately after, when about three miles from South Bruno lighthouse, she sunk. The boats after much difficulty reached land. The ship's papers and chronometers were about the only things saved. The crew have lost everything. The mails on board for New Zealand went down, with the vessel."