WRECKED IN THE ICE. Detail of the Enropa's Destruction The Crew's Escape.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 215, 13 August 1887, Page 6

WRECKED IN THE ICE. Detail of the Enropa's Destruction The Crew's Escape.

Tita Japanese "Mail" of May 23rd contains fciiß following : Fuwflber details as to the wreck of the whalcn/Europa on Kunashiri have been obtained from the captain of the vessel who ftrrived here on Sunday last from Hakodate. The E uropu, which, as wo have already stated, left ship of 306 tons, owned in New Bedford^, left San Francisco on November 30th. Tie trip was a pleasant one, and eventually tho ship started noithward from Saipjuiy one of tho Mariana or Ladrone islands,> having on board about 4500 gallons of oil. Ilhe captain meant to pass into the Okhots>k.«?ea through the Pico channel, but the weather was extremely unfavourable and he was kept dodging about for three days in tile bight formec by the ea^ coast of Krvnacvhiri. After losing some sails he stood .out?, to the north-east, and at last on the 11th .of last month got an observation a short rdkktnoo to the south-east; of the southern extremity of the island of Iterup, On th<2r following day, toward dusk, he sighted lincl which ho felt convinced was this southern cape of Iterup, and ho therefore stowed a south-westerly course to gain tho middle of the Pico channel. Tho nighfcithnmtcned to be a very .sfcoimy one ; tlie.sbip was surrounded by ice, and snow was falling heavily, the wind blowing a., gale irom the east-southeast, and he wan. most auKioua to get out of his awkward position to windward of the islands and pufes through the channel. About 8 o'clock, nowovor, the drift of ice had increased &o> much that he found it impossible to carry/ on,, and tho ship was put about and headed 1 , for tiic- open sea. In loss than half an* hour, affierward she took the ground. Tito' masts were cut away and the crew remained, on boawl all night, landing the next mavning, Hy hauling tho boats over the i©e,,and! saving their personal effects and a qutyititvy; of provisions. Two of tho men had h'eenj washed overboard, but help, was. rondbced in time to aavethem- The captain and crew remaindedi in hoetse^ neur at hand for three or fouiKlaiyfs. and eventually the former chartere«l 1 Hi < *t»alt schooner to take most of the men Lo Njgiiuu'o. A g«od deal of difficulty seems tQilmvp^Jeeft found in selling the ship, whiu'«it. trtltJiiffli njiuch bioken up below, had beeni ?-avj-cl by lierstroivjfcon-struction from going 1 biijjiece^ bat eventually she was knockaUl itou ab auction for 2,7){)Q dols.