WRECK AT THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2225, 9 July 1891, Page 4

WRECK AT THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS.

The Janet Ramsay has brought to the Bluff the crew of an iron-built 800ton barque named the Compadre which was wrecked on the Auckland Islands while on her voyage from Calcutta to South America, They were 103 days on the Islands and suffered great privations. On the 16th March fire was discovered in the hold of the vessel but all efforts to put it out failed. On' the 18th March she was caught in terrible weather, and at 7 a.m, on the 19th March land was discerned on, the star bpard. bow, distant about twelve miles, it being very hazy at the time. The wind was abeam, but owing to the fearful sea the vessel laboured heavily. One tremendous I sea swept the foresail and foretopmast stay-sail out of the bolt-ropes. It also burst the forecastle ports, smashed the scuttle of the fore hatches, swept the decks of everything moveable, and burst opeiu the cabin, thus giving air to the fire, which could not be put out though immense quantities of water Hooded in. The men could not man the pumps, being continually washed away. The carpenter sounded the well and found 8 feet of water in the hold. By this, time the ship was to windward of the North Cape of the Auckland Islands. Giving up all hope of saving the vessel, which was rapidly sinking under foot, and being unable to lower the boats in such a sea, we squared the main yards and steered towards the rocks in the hope of saving life- Previous to the vessel striking we poured oil on the ivater over the stern, which greatly reduced the violence of the sea. All hands got on the jibboom. The vessel struck with a great crash. Every one made a jump for the rocks, some being , bruised. In ten minutes from the time we landed nothing but loose wreckage, was to be seen. The crew suffered severely from want of food, clothing, and rest, A depot was discovered.