Stranding of the Hawaiian Schooner Dauntless.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1753, 27 September 1875, Page 3

Stranding of the Hawaiian Schooner Dauntless.

Wje regret (says the Fiji Argus, of August 28) 'hat this beautiful schooner, commanded and owned by Captain Berrill, was stranded on the outer reef, north of the Island of Malabu, on the night of Friday last. This vet-sel, which flies the Hawaiian flag, ha* for the last twelve months been in the trade between Fiji and Auckland, and left Auckland with a full cargo of lumber and merchandise for Messrs Owen and Graham, of Auckland, that firm having also an establishment at Tongatabu. She madethe run to the Friendly Islands in seven days, where, having discharged the lumber and other articles, she took- in twenty-five rons of copra and started for this port. On Friday she was well in sight of Ovalau, and on the evening of that day was nerr Agau, steering her course with a fair although light breeze. At midnight, to the great surprise of all on board, she took the ground, a strong westerly current having evidently carried her many milesjjto leeward. The vessel having gone on the reef at flood tide was carried considerably on to its crown, 'here beine little surf, without great damage Capt. Berrili endeavoured to get her off, but fruitlessly and unfortunately lost his only boat in endeavouring to carry out a kedge anchoi, the weight of which burst and sunk ifc. A cutter passed on . vunday, and— strange to say—did not go near the wrecked vessel By this boat news was conveyed to Levuka of the disaster. His Excellency the Governor on hearing that a vessel was on the reef, promptly dispatched Lieut. KnoUys, A.D.C., to make enquiries, and with offers of assistance. By tke Government boat Capt. Berrili was enabled to reach Levuka on Monday evening. He at once reported -what had ocenrred to Mr Murray, the Consul for Hawaii* With great consideration, Capt. Stevens, of H.M.S. Barracouta, despatched a steam pinnace in charge of Lieutenant R. Wonham to the wreck, and on Monday afternoon the Bteamer, Pride of Viti, having on board Capt. Berrill, Mr Murray, Lieut. Maxwell, and Mr Childs, carpenter of H.M. sbip.-with Capt. Hedstrom, proceeded to the wreck for the purpose of holding a survey. A protest having been entered, the cargo on board was sold by auction for the benefit of all concerned on Wednesday last. [The Dauntless had not been got off the reef when the Ocean Wave left.]

Twenty-five sailo-B and an officer were dispatched eaily on Wednesday morning to the Outer reef to assist in discharging the cargo of the Dauntless, with a view of endeavouring to save the vessel if possible. This action on the part of Captain Stevens ii most praiseworthy, and displays a desire to do do a good turn to another in the othodox sailor fashion. Tie steamer Pride of Viti took out some thirty getlemen to the scene of the wreck on Tuesday lust, but just when the steamer had arrived within two miles of her destination it was impossible to proceed in consequence'of the reef. About six pertons were accommodated in the dingy, and pushed off to tbe Dauntless, where they remained about three hours, the rest of the passengers being accorded the privilege of looking on from the distance abovementioned. The party returned at 2 a.m on Wednesday, havmg indulged in sea-sickness, and being as ignorant of the state of the vessel as when they left the wharf The cargo of the Dauntless was sold at Mr Cudlip's mart, and a good deal of competition took p ace, and, taking into consideration the risk that was incurred in purchasing, we consider tho things fetched really $ The Dauntless was insured for £1000 in the National, and half re-insured in the South British. MURDER AT APIA. By the arrival of the schooner Black Hawk this morning from a trading cruise, we learn from her captain that St. John Keeae (late an hotelkeeper of this town) was murdered at Apia in the middle of June last, and that his wife was wounded "at trie same time. The particulars are meagre. A native insisted upon entering the house of Mr. Reese, and upon deseased disputing the way,, the native shot him, inflicting such wounds as caused death. The American missionary residing at Apia declares it to be a most unprovoked murder. The matter has been officially reported at headquarters.