TOTAL WRECK OF THE BARQUE 'CATHERINE’ OF NEWCASTLE.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 12, 20 October 1871, Page 3

TOTAL WRECK OF THE BARQUE 'CATHERINE’ OF NEWCASTLE.

From the Newcastle Pilot, of October 4, wc clip the following : Shortly after ten o’clock yesterday morning the firing of guns from the Signal Hill conveyed to the citizens the unwelcome intelligence that a vessel was in distress off the coast, and a few minutes afterwards it became known that a barque had gone ashore in the breakers near Redhead, about five miles f.oin Newcastle. At this time there was a very heavy sea running; the wind also blew with considerable violence from the southward, and it was feared that the vessel, which could be distinctly seen from Shepherd’s Hill pitching in the surf, would break up before assistance could be rendered to the crew, who, it was ascertained by means of telescopes, were evidently unable to reach the shore. The bights from whence a view of the wreck could be obtained were soon thronged by crowds of people, and a large number of persons proceeded on horseback and on foot to the scene of the wreck. Up to this time the name of the vessel was not known, and this no doubt added to the excitement that so generally prevailed. About an hour afterwards, however, it became known that the unfortunate vessel was the ‘ Catherine,’which had left Newcastle for Melbourne on Saturday last, coal laden. As soon as it became apparent that the barque was in dr ger, the life boat was got out with commendable promptitude, ana quickly manned by her ordinary crew, and the little vessel then proceeded in tow of tho steam-tug Southland on her errand, which was one of no ordinary difficulty and danger, by reason of the terrific sea that broke repeatedly over the Catherine. When sufficiently dose to the latter the lifeboat was cast adrift by the.tug, and it was then seen by ihosc on shore how magnificently she could be managed in the bauds of a trained and efficient crew. Although the task of getting sufficiently close to tho wreck was laborious as well as

dangerous, the men kept to their wory with indomitable pluck, and ultimatelk got their boat up on the lee side of tho Catherine. Whilst here several heavy seas were shipped, the first carrying away two steering oars, and the second four of the port oars. At length the crew of tho ' barque, consisting of ten men (including the captain) succeeded in getting on board the lifeboat in safety, with the exception of one man, who missed his hold, but afterwards grasped some driftwood, and after beiug beaten about in tho breakers until he was nearly senseless, he was washed up on the beach and dragged clear of the surf. An effort was then made to get the boat out to sea, but in consequence of the loss of all the oars but two, and the “ set” of the current, this was fonnd to be impossible, and the men then determined to adopt their only alternative, viz,, to cut her adrift and beach her. This was done, and in a few moments the lifeboat was washed ashore and draggod high and dry up on t’ ’ beach—the crew on lauding being greeted with throe hearty cheers The crew of the barque Avere all more or less injured, though not seriously, Avith the exception of one man, who Avas beaten down several times whilst being pulled into the boat. He received some severe bruises and a nasty cut on tile knee-cap. All the other men A\ r ere, of course, much exhausted after the sewero exertions they hadjuudergonc. They received the utmost attention that could be. afforded on the spot, especially from Mr Cross and Mr Christoe, both of Avliom provided a plentiful supply of refreshments ; and on arriving in NeAvcastle their Avants were attended to by direction of Captain Allan. *We may mention here that Manby’s mortar avrs conveyed Avithout delay to the beach, but it Avas not required. Captain McMicheu has furnished the following particulars of the disaster:—On Monday night, finding the barque had sprung a leak, Captain McMichcn deemed it advisable to run back. When the Aveather cleared off a little, he perceived that lie Avas in the neighborhood of Redhead. The barque Avas then hove-to under main-topsail, but finding that the leak was still rapidly increasing, it Avas determined to beach the vessel, but in consequence of the quantity of cargo on board she struck about a cable’s length from the beach. Efforts were made to roach the land by means of bin yS' but these all drifted in an opposite dinotion, and several of the men who made the attempt narrowly escaped being droAvned. One sea carried the captain overboard, but lie fortunately Had hold of a line, and so managed t.o get on board again. All that transpired afterwards is related aboA'e. We had almost omitted to mention that the crew of the barque had been twenty hours at the pumps, so that it will be seen that no efforts were spared to saA r c the vessel. The 4 Catherine ’ Avas owned by Messrs. Boyd, Curry, and Co., of Melbourne, and she Avas avcll insured. The wreck and cargo Avere submitted to public auction, and sold for £2O 2s. With reference to tho conduct of tlioso men who manned the lifeboat, avo may say that it is Avorthy of the highest commendation. They displayed unflinching bravery throughout, and their little ahissel never encountered such a heavy sea, as that which broke in the vicinity of tho Avrcck. In fact, there cannot be a doubt that if the boat had not been so promptly got out every man on boa.d the barque must have perished.