Wreck of the brigantine Meg Merrilies.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 972, 24 August 1881, Page 2

Wreck of the brigantine Meg Merrilies.

Captain A. Mubphy, of the schooner Albatross, which arrived in harbor from Suva, last week, reports the wreck of the fine Auckland-built brigantice Meg Merrilies. The particulars of the casualty, as far as known w hen the Albatross left (July 27th), as follow : — The Meg Merrilies, which has recently been engaged in labor trade between Levuka and the surrounding islands, landed 82 laborers at Suva, and on July 20th left that port bound for Levuka, in command of Captain Hughes, a gentleman wellknown here. About three or four hours after she had got clear of the harbor, while beating along the reef, it is said that she missed stays, and before headway was recovered the sea set her on the reef lying between Suva and Laurbala Bay, about eight miles distant from Suva. The vessel ware washed up so far that before next low water she was high and dry, and so much bilged both sides that the water was -washing in and out, and clean through her. It is generally believed that the Meg is a total wreck, as the hands were engaged dismasting her when the Albatross left. No general survey had been held on her up till then. The Meg Merrilies is owned by Mr. Cole, of Fiji. The vessel herself is insured in the New Zealand office for £2,000, £1,250, of which is re-insured, making the Company’s loss £750.