FOSTER ISLAND WRECK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 236, 29 September 1908, Page 2

FOSTER ISLAND WRECK.

SUNK JN HALF AN HOUR • FOUR SURVIVORS RESCUED. TWENTY SIILL UNACCOUNTED FOR. Launeeston, September 28. The vessel lost at Cape Portland was the Loch Finlas, bound from Port Pirie to Callao (Peru). Residuals state that about It.SO on Saturday morning the barque was seen coming from the direction of lioohyalla Bay. She struck the reef, and within half an hour had disappeared. On Friday a fierce north-west gale had raged. Running as the vessel was at the time of her striking, her bottom must have been torn out.

A close search was made for survivor* along the coast. Late last night word came that a boat 'hint landed between Cape Naturalist and Kddystone. Few particulars aie available. The members of the crow were all foreigners. Tin- number was twenty-four. Four boats were launched, but all were stove in. Nine men clung tc pieces of wreckage. The captain nilil the mate stood by the ship. The lust words of tile captain were: "Dm't bustle, boys; don't i hurry!'' i A boat wi'li four men landed about

midnight on Saturday. The men tramp- I to Mr. drove's residence, about eight miles away, reaching it at 4.30 yesterday morning. !f The survivors state t'aat one ol tiicir comrades was seen dinging to a dinghy, and, if saved, he would be on Foster Island. ' ' The second mate wont out of his mind. He wis singing hynms and snatches of songs. Then he jumped overboard. When last seen he was driftin" seaward with a belt tied round The rescued men are all Scandinavians.

NO IftniTHTO DETAILS. Received 2!), 1 a.m. Launceston, Last Night. No further details of the Loch Finha wreck are yet to )iand. VALUE OF THE OAfifiO OF WHEAT. i Received 20, 1 a.m. Adelaide, Dast Night. The lioch Finlas' cargo consisted of wheat, and was valued at '-CiJT.OOO.