ADVENTURES OF A SHIP’S CREW.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2438, 11 January 1881, Page 3

ADVENTURES OF A SHIP’S CREW.

The Cunard steamer Algeria, which arrived in the Mersey from New York, brought live of the crew of the Salcombe barquentine Hilda, which was wrecked near West Caucu, West Indies. The men report that the Hilda was bound from Cape Hayti to the English Channel for orders with a cargo of logwood, when she struck on Molasses Reef, the crew nine in number, took to the boats and remained near the vessel all night, but next morning it was seen that she was breaking up, and they, therefore, pulled in the boats for an island about ten miles off. They landed, and seeing some houses in the district, the mate and two others made for the place, having to travel twelve miles through the bush. When they got to the spot they found the houses to be all in ruins, and the island appeared to be wholly uninhabited save by wild cattle and other animals. The men had to return again through the woods, though darkness had set in, and when they reached the shore they found that their comrades had gone off to the vessel, and the men had to swim out for some distance to a boat which they had left at anchor. After great hardships, however the whole of the crew eventually reached St. Thomas, whence they were taken to New York.