BARQUE SINKS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 31, 31 July 1911, Page 5

BARQUE SINKS.

IN MID OCEAN. SAILORS TAKETO THE BOATS. PERILOUSEXPERIBNCE& BOAT OF NINE DISAPPEARS. By Telegraph-Press Association. _. , Auckland, Saturdav. Ihe barque Puritan sprung a leak on June 20 on the voyage from Newcastle to San Francisco' during a heavy gale, when about 800 miles from Tahiti. The water gained rapidly on the pmnw, till June 27, when a furious gale wan raging, fund the vessel sinking fast, it V was decided to abandon her with all hands. Provided with water and provisions, they left the barque in two boats. >, The boats kept together for three ■ days, but on the third night became separated. The boat containing the first mate, Hatfield, and nine in*n disappeared, and Ims not since been heard of. It is believed to have foundered with all hands. The second boat, containing ■ Captain Chapman, Collins, the second mate, and ten men, arrived at Tahiti on July 14. Unfortunately, water ran short durmg the voyage, and the boatfs crew" - subsisted for eleven days on the sixth of a pint of water and two biscuit* a day. They landed on Anner Island and reprovisioned the boat with water and '" cocoanuts, and prepared to resume the voyage to Tahiti. Several seamen refused to proceed further, preferring safetv to the risk of a long pull in a, rowingb oat. The captain and Collins, one seaman and tha cook proceeded alone. When leaving Anner Island the boat struck ,i coral roof and ft plank wis stove in, but the castaways ■pushed on. rowing and bailing. Three days out from Anner Nut .sighted Tahiti, and fourteen days out they landed ' fit Papeete. Collins*' one seaman and ■ the cook of ihe vessel arrived in Auckland bv the Talune. Captain Chapman proceeded direct to Ran Francisco.