WRECKS AT PORTLAND ISLAND.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4754, 22 June 1894, Page 3

WRECKS AT PORTLAND ISLAND.

Three Men Drowned, (15y Telegraph—Press Association). Aucklwp, Friday, Tlio Pnlerna arrived to-day with thcinuile and live of the crew of the Sydney barque Alexander Newton, which was wrecked at Portland Island, on Monday last. The captain and two of the crow were drowned. The vessel, left Port Stephens on May 31st, with a cargo of poles for Napier. On Sunday last the weather became thick.andthewindfreshencd, mid increased lo a violent galo with a very 'heavy sea. The captain, not caring to run iiito Napier, stood out at sea, On the fog lifting, lie found that the vessel was close into the shore, the heavy sea breaking over tlio vessel, Shu struck tlio rooks, and immediately began to break up. The crew jumped over the forepart of the vesscl,and were washed up on the rocks, When the "survivors counted their number, it was found that Captain Harwootl, Baker the cook, and Hendiick A.P., were misBing, None of the bodies have been recovered. The lighthouse keepers at Portland Island reported that on the same morning as the Patorna was there, the after part of, the bottom of a small vessel came ashore close to the lighthouse, bnt they had not had time to get down the cliff and examine the wreckage, which appeared to be part of a schooner. Tlio " Aloxamlor Newton" was owned by William Johnston, of Sydney. Later, . ; t Auckland, Priday. Fni'llier particulars of the wreck of tlio Alexander Newton, show that the vessel was leaking freely before she struck, The men were exhausted with work at the pump and the wonder is that more lives I were not lost. The vessel struck (on a rocky reef about 200 I yards from the beach of the island | and was reduced to matchwood in a (very short time, and Captain HarI wood met with a sad death. He was at the wheel when the vessel struck. (The sea lifted him from, the wheel and dashed.him .against the deck house. Another.sea caught him and hurled him back on to the companion way and ho was seen to bo bleeding. The waves, then washed him overboard. An enquiry into the wreck is proceeding at tho Customs.