WRECK OF THE SHIP MERCHANT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5326, 23 April 1878, Page 3

WRECK OF THE SHIP MERCHANT.

Through the courtesy of the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, we ( Queenslander ) have been favored with the following telegrams from Mr. E. C. Sheridan, sub* collector of customs at Cardwell, relative to the wreckage supposed to belong to the ship Merchant ; —“ March 29. At 5.30 p.m. the cutter returned, bringing in the cabin door of the Merchant; saw figurehead attached to stern; did not see much cedar, but is certain it is the Merchant ; believes she got all right through Trinity Opening, and was smashed up on the outside of Great Barrier Beef, the ddbris having washed over tbs reef. Saw pieces of two different boats. Believes that not a soul is saved—indeed, it would be impossible iu the toruado of the Bth. The Merchant left here on the sth, and had plenty of time, with fair winds, as she had, to get out through Trinity Opening as she was directed, not trusting herself within the Barrier from this southward, she being very unmanageable.” A later telegram from the same source says :—“ The pilot left the Merchant on the sth, at 11 a.m., well outside, with a fair wind from the south-east, about 100 miles south of Trinity Opening. Calculated she would be there at about 8 o’clock on the morning of the 6th ; the wind continued the same all that day and on the 7th, so that she must have been outside the Barrier Beef. Pilot Brittain landed, and walked from Tam O’Shauter to Clump Point ; also examined Kennedy Bay and Dunk Island. At the latter place the stem of the Merchant was identified;, a quantity of wreckage was also found, including broken bulwarks, deck planks, the end of a seaman’s chest • painted blue, the figurehead «f the Merchant, cedar logs branded F, a quantity of cabin fittings, pieces of timber, and portions of two boats. No sign of any of the crew having landed ; steamer in sight ; take her to be searching boat Dugong from Cairns. Will report further.” We have been favored with a perusal of the following telegram, received by the Collector Of Customs from the sub-collector at Townsville:—“April 1. Captain Lake, of the steamer Victoria, reports towing the Dugong from Cairns to the South Barnards; yesterday re-coaled the Porpoise, to continue search. No trace of survivors. Found wreckage and pieces of boats belonging to the Merchant, also the side of a small vessel (the Hit or Miss), which left here for the fisheries last month with two white men and two Kanakas on board ; one log was found with same brand as some shipped in the Kate Conley. There were no other traces of the last-named vessel found. The Porpoise continues the search southwards and the Dugong northwards.”