Wreck of the Barque Mayfield.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7734, 9 February 1905, Page 3

Wreck of the Barque Mayfield.

(Hcccived Feb. 8, 9:~>~> p.m.) LAINCESTOX, Feb. 8. The steamer Konookarra arrived from Holmrt, bringing twenty-ehsht of the c:p<v of the 'barque Mnytield, which was totally wrecked at Swan Island, in liass Straits, on Sunday afternoon. The Mayficld left Geelong on February 2nd with three thousand tons of wheat for Quecnstown. She was caught by a gale in the straits and driven ashore, striking the rocks ; near Swan Island. Captain Roberts, seeing no hope of saving the vessel, ran her ashore on a sandy beach, where she settled down in six fathoms of water. A portion of the crew landed, but when the boat returned for the remainder it was* carried ;away to the east coast by the current and a heavywind. The beat was picked up by the Konookarra, and those on the island were also taken ofT. The vessel war owned by the Shaw, Savill Company, and was in- • surcd for only half its value. There is not the slightest chance of savins the, vessel, or even of any salvage. Captain Roberts states that it was blowing a whole gale when the barque struck. (Received Feb. 8. 10.1 p.m.) I.At NCESTOX, Feb. 8. Vhe captain of the May-field states that the port lifeboat goT" away to the islind after difficulty, but the other boats wenj- smashed before they were launched. The port lifeboat struck the rocks in landing. On Monday the men who 'had landed tried to reach the ship with a whaleboat from the lighthouse, but the seas were too heavy. At noon on Monday the patched-up port boat took off the chief mate and nine hands, leaving six men and himself clinging to the rigging. The boat made another attempt, but was carried away to eastward. The weather moderated yesterday, and thj whaleboat rescued the remainder of the crew, after being lashed to the rigging for !J7 hours, with the waves breaking over the vessel. All suft'er--x cd terribly from cold and hunger.