Back from the MACQUARIES.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 1, 7 April 1894, Page 7

Back from the MACQUARIES.

— THE GRATITUDE in a STORM. THREE MEN WASHED OVERBOARD. Mr J. Hatch’s ketch Gratitude arrived at the Bluff ou Saturday, olst March, after a smart run up from the Macquarie Islands of seven days, but unfortunately lost three men on the passage. Capt. Brown states that the Gratitude left Dunedin on the 22nd Eehruary, and was within twelve miles of the Macquaries on the evening of the sth March, hut was blown 140 miles to the northward of the island, ultimately reaching it on the 12th. On Friday, the 23rd, A GALE l-’ROM THE EASTWARD sprang up, and the Gratitude had to get under weigh and put to sea, taking with her a boat’s crew of the shoremen. That night she dodged about off the island, but, when day broke, there were no indications of the weather improving, but rather the reverse, so Captain Brown determined to run for the Bluff, taking with him the island men. On the morning of the 26th (Easter Moriday), the vessel was running before an easterly gale, being at the time in lat. 52.47 S. and About 8.30 a.m. a sea of exceptional size struck the vessel and caused her to lurch heavily, sweeping the depks and CARRYING OVERBOARD R. W. Green, the cook of the vessel, John Portnick, one of the island men, and D. Henderson, A.B. Both boats, the galley, and the booty batch were swept away. Green and Portnick were in the galley at the time the sea struck the vessel, and of course went with it. None of the men were seen again. The vessel was brought to, although the loss to her boats rendered those on board well nigh powerless to render assistance. Green was a Londoner, 32 years of age, and married, his wife residing at Devonport East, Tasmania ; he had made several trips in the ketch and was a general favourite. D. Henderson was 23 years of age, and a native of Scotland, while Portnick belonged to Colac Bay, where his people live. Henderson came from Scotland to Wellington in the tug Duco, and this was his second voyage in the Gratitude. Among his effects was an insurance policy in a Home office for £IOO. Henderson also told his shipmates the night before that his father held a policy

for £6OO on his (the deceased’s) life Henderson was under the lea of the

galley when the sea came aboard and in response to

A WARNING CRY from the man at the wheel sprang fro the rigging, but was overwhelmed before he reached it and swept overboard. Captain Brown states that at tbe time of the unfortunate occurrence there was nothing to cause apprehension of such a sea striking the ves.-el. From the sth ult. till arrival a succession of gales were experienced, the vessel’s sails receiving damage. Henderson occupied (the Lyttelton Times states) an important position in a shipping office at the port of Glasgow, and, owing to failing sight, left his desk for the sea, in the hope that his sight would be improved. He was employed on a coasting vessel for some time before joining the Gratitude.