SOUTH SEA WRECKERS.

Patea Mail, 26 June 1882, Page 4

SOUTH SEA WRECKERS.

The City of Melbourne which arrived at Sydney, on June 14th, reported that the Queensland schooner Magnet, 91 tons, was wrecked off the Island of Tanna, during a dead cairn, on May 17. There was a heavy swell on, and the schooner, lifted by one sea over a small reef, was left hard and fast on another. No sooner had the vessel become fixed on the reef, than she was boarded by a swarm of Natives, who plundered her of everything, even catting the sails from the yards. In addition to the general cargo, 60 muskets and 1251bs of powder fell into their hands. The Natives rapidly gathered on the shore to the number of about 100, and the Captain and crew of the Magnet observed that numerous guns and tomahawks were brought hurriedly down to the men by women and children, who immediately ran back to cover. Iho crew took to the boats, and barely escaped with their lives. Eventually they reached Port Resolution, 20 miles away, where they were most hospitably received by the Rev. Mr Neilson. From there they reached Noumea on May 31, by the schooner Portvilla. Martini-Henri and other first-class rifles are said to be by no means uncommon amongst the Natives of Tanna. On one occasion the Master of the Portvilla, whilst walking quietly along the shore of the island, was fired at by Natives, the bullet going through his shirt sleeve.