FIJI NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4582, 11 September 1883, Page 2

FIJI NEWS.

We published yesterday a telegram stating the barque Prince Alfred was wrecked at Fiji. The following is an account published of the occurrence in the Suva Times :—•" The vessel appears to have started from the anchorage at Msgo under unfavorable circumstances, a 'strong easferly wind preventing her obtaining a good offing. After beating to windward all night, the island of Moala was made at about midday on Saturday, the wind verging round to the south-west, with high seas running. Squally and misty weather continued all Sunday. At 4 a.m. on ilonday a heavy break was heard ahead, and an immediate endeavor was made to wear ship. The force of the sea, however, drove the vessel on a reef, which proved to be the extreme eastern end of North Astrolabe. This started the planking of the port bow, and owing to the heavy rollers washing on to her broadside she was lifted on to the rejf. This caused her to bump heavily, and the master now seeing that nothing could be done to suve the ship, ordered the boats to be put out. The pinnace was first launched, but was immediately dashed to pieces. The long boat was then put out, and pulled clearof the ship. At 9 a m., as the sea was steadily rising, it was deemed advisable for the safety of life to leave the barque, and the captain and crew, after securing the chronometers aad a few other thiags, accordingly embarked, and after a passage through thick and squally weather, arrived in Suva at 5 p.m. The Prince Arthur is part owned by Captain J Smith, the master, is 296 registered tonnage, and was built at Middlesboro' in 1875 She has since been principally engaged in the tea trade between Melbourne and China. We under* stand that Capt. Smith will be a heavy loser, the insurance only covering about one-half the vessel's value. The crew, of coarse, deserve great commiseration, and subscriptions on their behalf will be gladly received at this office. "We believe this is the first time that Captain Smith has had the mis fortune to lose a ship after 50 years of a seafaring life, of which the larger portion have been spent in the dangerous China Seas. The following are the names' of the shipwrecked crew : —Master, J. Smith*; , chief officer, L. Campbell; second officer, F. Ohnesorg- ; seamen— -. Hans Nelson, Gf-. Levett, H. Cranston, T. B. Neave, J. Welsh, and Ah Hoot (cook)." A great demand for cricketing material has recently sprungup amongsttheriatives, and it,is no uncommon thing now to see a group of F: jians examining a newly purchased bat or ball. It appears that Mr Wallington having taken the training of the A.N.C. at Suva in hand at the noble game, has caused a desire on the part of natives of other districts to go in for the same thing, and we hear a good deal steady practice is going on at Bau, and that it is intended to arrange for a match, Bau v. Suva A.N.C, to take place i shortly.