Wreck of the Barque Speedwell

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 253, 25 April 1888, Page 5

Wreck of the Barque Speedwell

The baique Speedwell, commanded by Captain Sampson and owned by Mr J. C. Klli-. -M.l., of Newcastle, wib totally uiccked on April 15 at Bungaree Noiah, half w.i) between Newcastle and Sydney. The .speedwell aimed oft iNewca.stle fiom Melbourne the piewous afternoon, anil -subsequently leceived oideis not to eater the poit, but to <ro on to Sidney. .She got a> fai as me place mentioned, when, owing to the intense daikne-^ and cm lent, the \ essel m" a-hoie on <i leei. She i dimmed in that position till daylight, blue lights being tirquently buint duimg the trig-lit awUioul lesult. At da\ - litjht Captain Sctmp^ou oideted the boats out tor the puipo.se of pulling the ciew ashore. The\ made way alon^ the coast and leached Mi^ Hai^ia\c't* faim about 10 o'clock in the morning. They recei\cd yreat ho>pit\'dit\ at her hands Captain H. Bennison. ot the >.^. Floia, leport- having [lapsed the vessel ashoie 23 miles south of IS ew castle. She was hing almost hi^h and dry on the locks with hei >tern to sea, and hei sail 1 - \sere hanging loo^e tiom the yards. Tlio\esoel had the signal " abandoned '" flying. Cap tain fiennison signalled, " Uo you want a&sit- t ance ?" but leceived no answci . and left just befoie the tug (Jamecock, irom Newcastle, with the harboiu-mastei on boaid, ai rived. The Speedwell was an iion barque of 350 tons, measuring 138 ft 7in in length, 23tt in bieadth and 14fb in dopth. The b.uquo was built at Cork in 1856 and puichased In Mr J C. Ellis in 1876.