WRECK OF A BARQUE

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3869, 25 July 1891, Page 2

WRECK OF A BARQUE

Loss of Life

Terrible Sufferings of the Survivors.

[By Telegraph.]

Sydney, July 24. Particulars of the loss of the barque Ellen are now at hand. She luft Newcastle for Noumea (not Auckland, as at first reported) on 3rd July, with 700 tons coal. On the 9tn, when 200 miles off the coast of Australia, a fierce gale began to blow, with highseas. The vessel made bad weather, commenced to leak, and it soon became evident she was sinking. The crew worked the pumps continurualy for three days, and then abandoned her' '■he water being up to the decks. A boat.containing all hands left at noon on the 12th, and an bour later the barque foundered. In the hurry the crew forgot to bring away a supply of fresh water, and only a poor supply of food was found in the boat. Night quickly set in, and with it began an unbroken chapter of suffering.

The boat was headed for the coast' tut fell in with more heavy weather. Waves broke over the little cratt and threatened to sink her, so that while one half of the men pulled the oars, the other half had to bail her out to keep the boat afloat. TLis went on for some days and nights, with the natural result that constant exposuie to tbe fury of the elaments, combined with the want of water and nourishing food, soon had its effect on the men.

The captain was in hopes of being picked up by some passing vessel, but when after a couple of days no sail hove in sight he lost heart, gradually sank, and. died, The steward also died, and two sailors, who were washed overboard by the sea, had to be left to their fate. Another seaman in delirium jumped overboard, and was drowned. This left four men in the boat, the chief officer (McGinty) and three seamen, named George, Campbell, und Petersen. Tl.e three first were drowned in attempting to land on the south beach of the Seal Bocks. The survivor says they were nine days without water and two days without food, and 'heir sufferings during the time they were in the boat were terrible.

Petersen is unable to give the names of the crew. He is still very w ak.