WRECK OF THE ELIZA CORRY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 122, 9 June 1870, Page 7

WRECK OF THE ELIZA CORRY.

The following simple narrative will be read with painful interest, and awaken heartfelt sympathy for the captain, sole survivor of the Eliza Corry : —

The British brig Eliza Corry cleared from Hakodadi for Shanghai on the 6th January, with a cargo of seaweed and merchandise. On the 9th came to an anchor under Cape Suki ; the wind not being favourable for passing through the Straits, Started again on the 16fch, and was about 35 miles clear of Cape Gainelay when a heavy gale from the W. set in, which gradually hauled round to the N.N.W. On the morning of the 19th, Cape Gt-arnflay was on our port quarter, distant about 10 miles, and wo were heading S.W., still blowing hard, with a heavy sea. At 11.30 a.m., the pump in the fore compartment would not keep the vessel free, and some of the men were sent to bale ; at noon the compartment filled, and the vessel was with difficulty got round with the intention of returning to Hakodadi, but could not clear the Cape, and we had to get round on the starboard tack, but in consequence of being so down by the head could not make any headway. Preparation was then made to save the lives of all on board; the long boat was put on spars ready to launch ; at 3 p.m. rau the vessel on shore as far as she would go, and her stern swung round towards the beach, distant about a quarter of a mile. The long boat was then launched with the second officer, William Baird, and the steward in her ; the sea, however, at once filled and capsized her, and the second officer, who had a life-buoy round him which was attached by a line to the ship, was washed clean out of it, "and they both sank at once. The other boat had been smashed on deck by the sea, which was now sweeping fore aud aft. The crew lashed themselves to spars, and one of them went overboard from the main rigging, hoping to reach the shore, but he got foul of the fore brace. I went forward to make an attempt to clear him, the crew being encumbered with spars, not being able to help. On my return, my wife, whom I had left in the house on deck with a life-buoy attached to her, had, I found, been knocked down and was nearly drowned by the heavy seas. I got her' out and went behind the wheelhouse for a little shelter, and I found the mate and three other men there. In about half an hour my wife died from cold and exposure. I wauted the crew to make some effort to reach the shore before it was dark ; but only one man tried, and he did not get far before he sank. The carpenter died on deck, but his body was so jammed in by spars that it did not float away. A. little before dark I got over tho stern, and the rest of the ere sv followed me ; when about half way on shore I caught hold of a piece of wood, which greatly helped me to reach the land ; on landing I could not see aay person on the hull of the vessel. I saw some houses on the beach and went towards them. They proved to be only boat sheds, but they gave me shelter for the night. In the morning I covered myself with the mat as well as I could, and went to see if I could find anything of the wreck. On the beach I | found the bodies of the mate and two '• of the crew. Not being able to discover anything else, I proceeded in search of some house, which I did not find until about 4 p.m. I was most kindly treated by the Japanese, who gave me food and clothing, and some medicine far my body and feet, much swollen by the exposure. After getting a little better, I had coffins made, and buried the bodies that had been washed on shore, six in all. The Japanese then forwarded me to Awoinori Bay, and from there to Hakodadi, acting throughout in such a kind and generous manner as to always make me feel indebted to them. — " Japan G-a-zette."