HURRICANE AT THE ISLANDS. LOSS OF THE RED CROSS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 357, 6 April 1889, Page 5

HURRICANE AT THE ISLANDS. LOSS OF THE RED CROSS.

Auckland, April 3. Amongst the passengers from Karotonga to Auckland last evening by the island steamer Richmond were Captain Henry McIntyre and the crew, 18 in number, of the American ship Red Cross, which we learn was partially dismasted in a heavy gale off fclie Cook Group on January 29th last, and finally totally wrecked at Rarotonga on March 21st. The Red Cross, which was bound from Newcastle to San Francisco, was a fine wooden ship of 1,301 tons register, and was owned in Richmond, Maine, U.S. Captain Mclntyre states that he left Newcastle (N.S.W.) on Dec. 31st of last year, for caan Francisco, with 1,800 tons of coal. She experienced northerly winds till past the longitude of New Zealand, and then had easterly breezes, which continued till the vessel reached 158deg. 45min. west long., and 20deg. 25min. south lat., on the 29th January, when a N.N.E. wind was had. At 10 a.m. same day the blow increased to a hurricane, blowing with terrific force, with heavy sea. All sail was taken in with the exception of three lower topsails and foresail and maintopmast staysail, but at 11 a.m. everything was blown clean away by tho force of the gale, the vessel now riding under bare poles. Half-an-hour later the main and mizzen masts went by the board, being blown completely out of her by the tremendous force of the hurricane, carrying with them stand-up rigging, etc., breaking down the pump gear, clearing out the forehouse, and smashing up the galley-range, etc. The foretopgallant-mast was the next to go with the jibboom, and the two quarterboats were washed overboard and lost. The falling masts had drawn the side chains out of the vessel's sides some five inches. The terrific seas kept the ship completely under water tore and aft all this time, and the cargo of coal shifted five streaks. The wind in a short time shifted from E.N.E. to N.N.VV. The pumps were sounded, and three feet of water was found in the ship's hold. A temporary pumping appaiatus was rigged up, and at 8 p.m. same day all hands set-to at the pumpt>, continuing at work till 4 o'clock next morning. At B a.m. they were manned again and worked till 3 p.m. The deckswere then cleared of all encumbrances, fallen rigging, etc., and the crew were enabled to set two topsails together forward, and also a foretopmast-staysail. At this time, being some 60 miles N. W. of Morea Island, in the Society Group, a course was steered for that island, the gale having moderated, in hopes of being able to effect repairs there, but on arrival otf the coast shortly afterwards the place was found to be without inhabitants. The Red Cross's head was then turned to Tahiti, and a course was made for übat island. The wind coming round to an unfavourable quarter, however, precluded all chances, of reaching the port of Papeete, and Captain Mclntyre then made for Aitutaki, in the Cook Group, which wa« reached on the 12th February. Here, unfortunately, no assistance in bhe way of refitting or partially repairing the ship could be obtained, and she was again headed seaward. This time the commander determined to proceed to Rarotonga, and with moderate winds he arrived off the Avarua harbour in four days. On February 16th he attempted to enter the harbour and gain a secure anchorage, but owing to her disabled condition she drifted ashore on the coral reef. As the captain had no means of getting her off again, he sold the vessel and cargo to the firm of Messrs Donald and Edenborough, through their local agent, Mr Exham, who immediately set a gang of natives to work to unload her. By the 20th March they had some 900 tons of coal out, but the ship was again carried by the swell on to the reef. She was, however, safely moored afterwards, and all promised success to Mr Exham in getting the vessel unloaded and sufficiently repaired to send to Auckland for refitting, when on the 21st she was blown by a fierce gale right on to the reef, on which she began to bump heavily. All endeavours to get her ofl failed, and &he eventually settled down on the bottom with her main deck under water. At the time of latest advices leaving the island everything movable on board was being brought ashore in view of her going to pieces. The Red Cross was owned by her builders, J. T. Sutbard and Sons, of Maine, was built in 1887, and was 185 ft 3in in length over all. The captain proceeds to San Francisco by the next mail steamer.