WRECK OF THE SCHOONER SHAMROCK.

Southland Times, Issue 734, 9 October 1867, Page 2

WRECK OF THE SCHOONER SHAMROCK.

The following particulars of the wreck ofthe Shamrock near Vatoa Island are furnished by W. B. Berry. a rmss*"™--— "■»'-» win ia.arcn, ana bad nne weather, with a iair wind, for Ovaiau. On Sunday morning, about lalf-past twelve, I saw tbe Island Vatoa, and reported it to the captain — I should say only three or four miles off at the furthest — and no one saw it but myself until I pointed it out. When we left Tonga I was not aware that we were so short of hands — only captaia, mate, one cabin boy, supercargo, and c. ok. I was on deck myself until after one o'clock ; thinking all was safe I went below, but could not rest for about half an hour. I went on deck again, being on the weather side, when all at once the captain asked me to take the helm, and keep to the Bouth, which I did, not knowing what he was going to do. I believe it was to take down the squaresail. When he came aft he took the helm from me, and not till then did I Bee my danger, when I saw ancl heard the breakers. When the captain took the wheel from me he gave orders to bout ship ; but not having sufficient hands to work her,_she missed stays, and in a ftw moments we were cast on shore on the reef of Vuatayatoa, about two hours after sighting the island ol Vatoa. Fortunately the break was not so much as it might have been, owing to the tide having but little ebbed, and at low water the vessel was left with about a foot of water around her, and was bilged. After some of the excitement was over, we set-to to make a raft, and got a small one made on deck, and at daylight launched it overboard. When the tide made, we took the raft inte 10ft or 12it wafer, about the middle of the reef, and anchored it, where we were safe frpm the seas or much swell. Mrs Berry, myself, the Biipercargo, and a passenger from New Zealand, slept on the raft ; Ih^ crew in their boat, which was not of much use. The next day made a larger raft from the foremast, yards, spars, casks, and what timber and doors 1 had on board, and took it to the place of the other raft, and then removed everything from the other to it and got it well anchored, with two or three small anchors. For three or four days we were exposed to all weathers, jnieht and day. T apoka to tne captain ; I thought it would be better to have a sail .put over the raft, so .he got some American duck and made a sort of tent and covered it over, and luckily for us, as it came ori to rain heavily the same evening it was put up. After being ten days on tbe raft, the captain thought proper to repair the old boat he brought from New Zealand, and I assisted him in doing it ; but he gave me no information what he was going to do. lam sorry to say he was drunk themost part of the time on the raft. (I have known him to drink five or. six bottles of champagne before dinner.) On Wednesday, the 10th April, after breakfast, he got into his boat, with a crew of three men, and when ready to start said any one of us could go with them to the island, and I did not know until then what he was going to do. The passenger from New Zealnnd went with them. It being very fine weather, they got to the island Bafe, and landed the passenger and one' of his crew (Charley) ; ahd on his leaving again, with two hands and a Tongaman, in going over the reef edge, the boat upset, and if he had not let the Tongaman go with them they would have been all drowned. As it was, one of his men (cook) lost his life. Fortunately for the.other two, the Tongaman took them to a rock, which they stuck to j and after some time, the Tongaman (Richard) got on top of a rock, and was seen from ashore, and they Vere at last taken off by a, canoe, Ihe next day, [

ihe natives, in small canoes, came off to us ; but -he chief (Tui Vatao) would not let Mrs Berry to off in so small a canoe, but sent his men back igain, and got 0..0 half of his large canoe fitted up to get us off, the other half being broken. So on Saturday, 13th of April, being the fourteenth day onthe raft, we were taken off witu a tew things safe on shore, although a heavy break on the reef. Three of the men were washed overboard in going in. Since landing, I have managed by the natives to get off the part of my" goods from the vessel on fine days. Some of my boxes have been under water for eight weeks, so you may suppose what state the contents must be in irom salt water. However, our lives have been saved."— " Sydney Morning Herald," Sept. 5.