REPORTED WRECK OF THE BRIG "FIREFLY"."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 106, 19 March 1862, Page 6

REPORTED WRECK OF THE BRIG "FIREFLY"."

(From the Queensland Guardian, Feb. 22.) The barque "Jennie Oswald," Captain Gascoigne, anchored in Moreton Bay on Tuesday evening, on her voyage from Sir Charles Hardy's Islands, Torres Straits, for Melbourne. From intelligence received by her, we fear that there is too much reason to believe that the " Firefly," which left Brisbane on the 24th August last, for the Gulf of Carpentaria, in company with H.M.S.S. " Victoria," has been wrecked on Sir Charles Hardy's Islands, in Torres Straits. The "Firefly" was despatched from Melbourne with coals and stores for use ofthe sterner, and horses Irom Brisbane, and had on board also the members of the exploring expedition, under the leadership of Mr. Landsborough. We subjoin ihe following paragraph given by. us at the time of the despatch of this (we fear) illfated vessel: —'' The Queensland Government sent a party by sea to the Gulf. The ' Firefly' will convey them to the mouth of the Albert, and the ' Victoria,' war steamer, will proceed to the same locality ; her commander, Captain Norman, having charge of the whole. The Queensland party, under Mr. Landsborougb, with four whites, four blacks, and thirty horses, go in the ' 'Firefly.' On reaching the Gulf, they will start from tbe Albert River in a south-westerly course, that being the direction from which Burke was expected to make the coast. It is expected that Landsborough's expedition will occupy about four months. There were on board—Messrs. G. Bourne, H. M'Neil Campbell, and Captain J. D. Addison. Two native troopers, two native servants, and a groom in charge of the horses, completed the party." The information afforded to us by Captain Gascoignc and Captain Daish, who came to our office in company with Pilot Sholl, is to the following effect:—The Jeanie Oswald was chartered by the Victoria Eire and Marine Insurance Company, to start from Melbourne on the 27th October last, for Sir Charles Hardy's Islands, for the purpose of recovering the cargo of the barque Lady Kinnaird, which vessel was wrecked some time previously on the same island, on her voyage from Melbourne to Calcutta ; the company's marine surveyor, Captain Joseph Daish, nnd two divers (James Putwain and Thomas Watson) accompanied the Jeanie Oswald. The object of the voyage was to recover 118 tons of copper, insured by" the company, and thoy were successful in recovering the principal portion of the cargo. The voyage only occupied 21 days, and the return passage to Moreton Bay was made through the same channel, viz., the inner route of the Straits, occupying 34 days, notwithstanding severe southeasterly gales for the greater portion of the time. During the first day on arriving at the island, Captain Gascoignc and Captain Daish observed fragments of wreck, in form of spars and other relics of a lost vessel. From several reasons they came to the conclusion that the vessel alluded to must have been no other than the brig " Firefly." In the first place, tbey were well acquainted with her—she having been the property of Mcssr.---. Young and Martin, of Melbourne, also the owners of the " Jeanie Oswald." Two carcases of horses, with the broad arrow on them, were also found— one of which could not have been dead more than four or five days.. The " Firefly " had on board a number of horses belonging to the Government, for use of the expedition, answering to the description of those discovered. A small quantity of coals waa found on the reef, outside tbe spars of the wreck, which was a further clue to the identification of the " Firefly ;" which was, as mentioned above, conveying coals tor the use of the " Victoria" steamer. A number ot empty casks, (one branded as belonging to the "Victoria,") part of a ship's boat, some hay, and enlpty beer cases, &c, were also- discovered. A written paper was also found, the handwriting of which was recognized by Captain Gaseoigne as being that of the owner of the "Firefly."

From the fact of there being also some charred portions of spars, it was conjectured that Capt. Kirby, ofthe " Firefly," had discovered the vessel to be on fire, and had run her on Hardy's Islands, as being the nearest land at the time. No human bodies have been found, and there, is every reason to hope and expect that the passengers and crew were picked up, either by the " Victoria" or some other vessel. Captain Gascoigne further reports that Sir Charles Hardy's Islands are badly supplied with water. While on the island several natives from the muiwland came to the ship ; they were very friendly, and at different times brought five turtles to the ship, for whicli they were well satisfied with a little tobacco and a few pipes. Some anxiety will now doubtless be felt respecting the Victoria, as tbe six mouths to whicli Captain Norman restricted himself for his return home have nearly expired, and being deprived of coal, he is no doubt at present reduced to dependence on canvas alone. j Captain Daish, who has had much experience in wrecks, having been marine surveyor to the Victoria Company for some years, aud known-to us personally as an energetic, trustworthy man, is of opinion that Captain lurby, finding his vessel burning, ran her on to the reef surrounding the island, ami when she had burnt the water's edge, it then flowed in, and the bottom portion ofthe brig sank in deep water ; at any rat_e,'_the appearance of the wreck warranted this opinion. The Jeanie Oswald arrived at the island on the 21st Nov., and left on Wednesday, the 15th Jan. During this time nothing of importance occurred, no vessels came in sight, and only chains, blocks, &c, .wore found. Two sheep were shot on the island by Capt. Daish, both of them being in rather poor condition. A beaten track to a waterhola was seen from where the tents were pitched, evidencing that a party had been for some time on the island. The season of the year when the north-west monsoons were blowing, was probably the reason why no vessels passed.

It is thought probable that the captain, passengers, and crew ofthe Firefly have either been taken off the island by spme vessel, or proceeded in their own boats to tl}i3 Gulf of Carpentaria, a distance of about 200 miles, though it is quite possible that the Victoria may have returned for them. Hai^y's Islands are situated about 100 miles south-east from Cape York, and about 600 mile 3to the northward;of Port Denison. It i 3, however, probable that all hands have been saved, and we shall look with great interest to any further information respecting the unfortunate vessel and her voyagers.