Wreck of the Ann and Mary. HARDSHIPS AND A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 212, 23 July 1887, Page 2

Wreck of the Ann and Mary. HARDSHIPS AND A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.

Further particulars have been received at Melbourne regaining the wreck of the schooner Ann and Mary, from Coringle Station, where the survivors are at present. Hugh Merville Duffy, the chief mate, is an Irishman. He is married, and has a wife and two children in Melbourne. Ho said he joined the schooner on the 6th ult. , and sailed in her for Tasmania. The schooner belonged to Muirhead Brothers, of Newcastle (N.S.W.). On board wore Captain Campbell, himself, Lenge (boatswain), Rogers (cook), and George Smith, John Donaldson, William Boness, and Daniel M'Leod, seamen. All on board were single save himself and the captain. They passed Reul's Group at 5 o'clock on Saturday jnoming, witli wind ■ and sea rising, and all hands pumping. At 2 o'clock on Sunday morning the vessel ' shipped a big sea, and 7ft 6in of water were, found in the hold. The only avail- ' able boat, a dingey,.' was , lowered. Just about this time Rogers, the ' cook, was washed overboard. > The decks were completely submerged. The captain and one man left the vessel last, They had to

jump into the sea, andiswhnitothe dingey.. The boat had only one oav and two paddles, , and no thole pins. By. utilising a piece of rope they managed, to pull and steer. . Nothing was saved from the wreck, not even fresh water. At about 11 o'clock they sighted a Sydney • bound steamer, four miles to windward. An oar with a pair of trousers attached was hoisted, but was not seen. Hitherto they had kept the boat's, head to sea. But now they steered for shore. At dawn on Monday/ they stripped ready for beaching. A strugglo for life in the breakers ensued. The captain was- killed, and was buried in the sand. The party then crossed some hummocks,, and struck the track. They met two hovsemen, Farquar and Pleydoll, who gave them a mouthful of food each, and some matches. The party camped that night in the scrub. At daylight next day they .struck Mitchells selection. A fisheiman drove the party to their present location, where they Ixad been treated with every kindness. The captain was 30 years of a»e. He had a. wife and three children in Newcastle (NJ3..W. ) The suffering from thirst was intense, and some ate seaweed on Wednesday.