LOSS OF THE BRIG AUSTRALIA AT CAPE CAMPBELL.

Southland Times, Issue 1752, 10 June 1873, Page 1 (Supplement)

LOSS OF THE BRIG AUSTRALIA AT CAPE CAMPBELL.

The brig Scotsman, Capt. Rogers, arrived in harbor yesterday afternoon, bringing intelligence of the wreck and loss of all hands of the brig Australia, from Newcastle, bound for Timaru, with a cargo of coal. Capt. Rogers reports that he left Newcastle on Monday, the loth inst., and experienced favorable winds unlil making the land, sighting Cape Farewell on the 21st; wind light and variable on the 22nd ; on the 23rd passed Cape Campbell in company with the brig Australia, wind blowing a strong gale from theN.W., and sailing under double-reefed topsails ; at 4.30 p.m. the wind suddenly fell light, and then veered as suddenly to the S.W. ; commenced to shorten sail, but before the sails were fast a terrific gale set in, and was forced to bear up for Cook Straits in company with the brig Australia, which was running with every sail set, the Scotsman running with two lower topsails and f oretopmast staysail ; at 5. 30 p. m. the maintopsail burst ; had to cut it away in order to save the yards, and also for the safety of the ship ; at this time the wind was blowing a f urious hurricane ; at G p.m. the foretopsail sheet carried away; clewed it up as best we could, and cut the fragments that remained from the yard; the i oretopmast staysail at this time was in ribbons, and the ship broached to when on the starboard tack, and the vessel was pooped by a heavy sea, which made a clean breach, smashing bulwarks, etc. — the deck full of water; everything loose was thrown overboard to save the stanchions, and also fo the safety of tho crew; at 7 p.m. got a foretopmast staysail set, and ran the ship before the wind, Cape Campbell light bearing N.W. ; at this time saw a green light passing about a mile inside of us, and which was supposed to be the brig Australia ; at 9.30 p.m. rounded Cape Campbell, and the gale abated, the ■wind falling light until midnight, when it was calm; at S a.m. next morning, one of the men aloft reported that he saw something floating on the lee bow ; at 10 a. m. saw it was the wreck of a ship ; tacked the vessel, got out the boat, and sent her with the mate and four hands to ascertain what it was ; on his return he reported that it was the brig Australia j at 2 p.m., the weather being fine, ran the brig alongside the wreck and made fast, but was only able to secure the mainmast ; had northerly winds down the coast. The brig Australia was owned and commanded by Capt. Craig, and the crew numbered ten hands. — Lyttelton Times, May 28.