LOSS OF THE QUEEN OF THE EAST.

Southland Times, Issue 1579, 17 May 1872, Page 2

LOSS OF THE QUEEN OF THE EAST.

Captain Stoddard, late commander of the above-named vessel, together with Mrs Stoddard, and his officers and crew, arrived this morning by the Bellina, and from Captain Stoddard we learn the following particulars respecting the loss of his.ship. The American ship Qaeen of the East left San Francisco on the 6th March, for j Newcastle, for a cargo of coals for China ; had favorable winds and fine weather up to 18th April, when at half- past 4 a.m. the ship struck on a reef not laid down on the chart, the reef , lying, as near as he could judge from the observations the day previous, in latitude 29"30 south, longitude 159 40 east, and being afraid that the yards would come down, got tbe boats out as soon as possible, and deeming it useless to remain by the ship any longer, left at 10 a.m. for tbe coast of Australia. The winds and weather proving favorable, made the Richmond River on the 22nd ; on the lollowing morning were fallen in with by the schooner Commerce, Captain Drewell, of Sydney, who kindly took them on board and landed tbem at the Clarence. At the time the ship struck, the wind was light from the S.E., but the vessel on striking rose her forefoot 3 feet out of the water, and continued to bump heavily. The crew lelt in two of the boats — the long-boat bad on board Captain and Mrs Stoddard aDd fifteen men, and the life-boat had seven men in charge of the third officer, both boats being provisioned and watered. With the exception of the ship's papers and the chronometers, nothing was saved. When the ship was abandoned she was still hard on the reef, and Captain Stoddard iB under the impression, considering the fine weather prevailing, tbat prompt measures might insure the saving of valuable property. — S. M. Herald, 27th April.