A TALE OF HORROR FROM THE SEA.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 42, 20 July 1878, Page 3

A TALE OF HORROR FROM THE SEA.

The barque Athelstone, from Newcastle, New South Wales, reports that on May 29th, latitude 39 dog. 49 min. north, longitude 144 dog. 2 min. west, at 8. 30 a.m. she sighted a derelict junk, and bore away for her. At 9. 30 a.m. passed under her Ice. Had every appearance of being abandoned, and a most offensive smell emanate 1 from her. Sent the chief officer in a boat aboard of her, who found four Japanese on board, nearly dead, and also two dead ones. Took the living on board, and brought them to this port. Was unable to ascertain the name of the vessel, or where she was from. But suffice it to say, they wore in a most deplorable condition. We should have destroyed the junk, but a fresh breoze sprung up, and wo were compelled to abandon her.

Through the courtesy of Mr. Nasse, Japanese Interpreter, the following additional facts have been obtained : The junk was named the I-s-u-k-i-n M-a-r-u, and was of 235 tons burthen, and manned by a crew of nine seamen, in addition to Captain Baba. She also had on board thirteen passengers. Sho was a coaster, bound from Xtzuhishi to Hokadata, ports upon the island of Ycsso, sometimes called Matsmai, one of the largest of the Japanese Islands, and situated in latitudo 41 deg. 24 inin. north, longitude 140 deg 9 min. east. When about 500 miles from tho first-named port, sho was struck by a heavy gale on the morning of November 17th, she having left port on the 25th of October. The gulp, as is usual in those seas, continued for noarly threo months, during which time it was very foggy, and the nail storun wore frequent. Three doys after tho gale began tho mast went by the board, and three days afterwards "the upper deck was carried away and three of the crew washed overboard and drowned. Although tho cargo consisted of red herrings and seaweed, provisions wore so soiree, that when MOUOd fay Captain Bayloy of the AthelltOßO, only three days' food rciuuinvd. All on

board were dead, save a passenger named Iti, and three ot the crew—the cause of death being scurvy, exposure and starvation Captain Baba was the last rictfcm : he died some ten days before the kindly rescue. When Captain Bayley boarded the survivors were lifeless, lind had to be carried on board his ship. There were then three feet of water in the hold. The details are too harrowing for description.- San Francisco Chronicle.