WRECK OF THE FIJI.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3909, 10 September 1891, Page 2

WRECK OF THE FIJI.

Tfco Captain's Story-

Heroic Efforts to Save Life

Melbourne, September 8. The following is a correct list of those drowned on board the barque Fiji:—Mr Bridgman, first officer; Mr Lardman, third officer; Petersen, Sanderberg, Satteau, Fredrickson, Carkland, Foster, seamen; cook and steward, names unknown; and Wilkinson, selector.

The captain has made the following statement: —The wind veered, and he had to tack, but tLe ship missed stays and went a3hore. Attempts were made to launch the boats, but they were smashed instantly. One boat tried to take a line ashore, but was capsized, and the crew with difficulty got back to the ship. When the rocket apparatus arrived it was found that the only line provided was a light one, but the crew resolved to trusi to this slender support and swim through the surf. Only 15 reached shore in safety, the rest being drowned. Captain Vickers was the last mail to leave the vessel, and half an hour afterwards it was completely broken up.

Every effort was made to save life by the people c»n shore. While the sailors were battling in the water, several men stripped to the waist, with lifelines round them, rushed intc the breakers in the endeavour to bring some of the exhausted men into safe quarters. Not once, but several times, did the brave fellows risk their lives iii this way. Deserving of mention above all was Arthur Wilkinson, who died like a brave man. On Sunday afternoon one of the crew threw himself off the ship into the sea in the endeavour tc swim ashore, but was swept bad again and again by the backwash, until he seemed thoroughly exhausted, Wilkinson plunged into the sea tc assist the drowning man. They kepi together for some tine, but were ap parently lost beyond hope, when ropes from the ship reached them, and the} were dragged aboard. Wilkinson was thoroughly exhausted, and expired ir a few moments, but the other mat