STRANDING OF THE BARQUE QUEEN OF NATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3391, 13 June 1881, Page 2

STRANDING OF THE BARQUE QUEEN OF NATIONS.

Extraordinary Conduct of Cap-

tain arid Mate.

The barque Queen of Nations, bound from London to Sydney, ran ashore on a sandy beach, about three miles north of Wollongong harbour, on the coast of New South Wales, at a place known as Towridge Creek. Soon after, the "vessel reached tbe shore most ot the crew landed; but one man was drowned in the attempt. The captain and mate refused to go ashore, and acted altogether in a very eccentric manner. According. to last reports the vessel lies about 300 yards from the shore, aud bad not apparently received much damage, and the cargo, it is thought, may be easily saved. She is protected from the southerly swell by a i eef about a quarter of a mile, or more, to seaward. . . ;

The Queen of Nations is one of Georgo Thompson's White Star Line, that has up to the present bad a successful career in the catgo and passenger trade between London and Sydney. The vessel was built in 1861, and was reclassed by Lloyd's in 1877 for 11 years. Formerly the Queen of Nations was rigged as a ship, but was altered not long since to a barque, Her register tonnage was 827, and she had on board a full general cargo. Her commander's name is S. Bache, a gentleman well known in Sydney. The following ia the statement of the second officer, Charles Smith:—The Queen of Nations, Captain Bache (formerly, of the Strathdon), with Mr Anderson asficst mate, left London on the 23rd February. The last observations were taken on Sunday ; but he does net know what they were. At 2 o'clock this morning the land was sighted, and the lights of the burning coal heaps at Keira mine were sighted ; also the Wollongong harbour-lights, which the captain stated were tbe lights of Sydney Heads. The ship waa then steering north by west half-west, close hauled, all sail set, and the captain's watch. About a quarter or half, past 6, jnst as day was breaking, the vessel strock on a sandy beach, three miles north of Wollongong harbour, when the "mainmast-- went by the board, carry ing with it the' fore topmast. Two "or three of the crew came ashore this morning, one man .being drowned in the attempt. About noon the balance of the crew, excepting the captain and mate, came safely ashore in the ship's boat. The captain and mate were, both greatly excited when the crew left, and declined ;to leave the ship, the latter having presented a loaded revolver at some of the men, and threatened to shoot them if they left the vessel. The master was eccentric during the greater part of the voyage. The cargo consists principally of •ailway iron and light goods. When the tide ebbed in the afternoon, a volunteer orew, with Eenior-Bergeant Ford, launched* ship's boat for the purpose of landing the captain and mate. On arrival alongside, bo tn officers disappeared below, and though repeatedly called declined to show themselves. It would have been difficult for the boat s crow to board the vessel. The boat returned without the crew accomplishing tneir errand. After the lapse of some time, the captain and mate again began to call tor help, when a crew composed of i_x Turner, Police Magistrate, Senior-Sergeant Ford. Mr Kennedy Clifton, Constable lb c, and some others, put off at considerable risk. As soon as the boat got abreast of the ship, the officers again disappeared. Alter remaining for some time, the boat being in danger of being stove in, the volunteer crew were reluctantly compelled to return to shore. This was about 5 o'clock, la* same signals were repeated frem tne ship halt-an-hour afterwards, but tnis time no volunteers would offer. Abont tms time the enaign, which had been flying at tbe spanker head all day, was torn down by one of those on board. Tbe only conclusion that can be arrived at regarding the two officers is that they are insane j or, w the statements of tbe crew be hue, that both officers are under tbe Influence or drink. The sailmaker, boatswain, and two others cf tbe crew appeared before the Police Magistrate, and swore an information against the captain and chief mate on two separate charges of assault and batlerv. At present the warrants cannot be executed, owing to tbe causes already stated. Members of the crew assert that the weather was quite clear when the vessel grounded. The foremost sail* are flapping with the wind, which baa a tendency to drive tbe vessel broadside on ; and she is considerably higher on tbg beach. So far, the vessel appears perfectly sound, and the third mate thinks she has as yet received no damage.—"Sydney M«Wng Times."