A MISSING VESSEL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 144, 19 June 1891, Page 3

A MISSING VESSEL.

BABQUENTINB HANDA ISLE,

SUPPOSED FOUNDERED WITH ALL HANDS.

Oi-tg of the. smartest and besb-known intercolonial trading vosselshailinrr from the ports of Auckland, the barquentine Handa Isle, is nowgiveaup for lost, being-supposed tohava gens done with all hands in some of tho recent heavy cales prevailing between New Zealand and the Australian coast, She was a well-equipped craft of 261 _tens neft register, commanded fay Capt. J. Robinson, of Auckland. The Handa Isle sailed from Newcastle (N.S.W.) on the 24th of lasb month in ballast, bound to tho Kaipara to load a cargo of timber buck to Sydney. Two other Auckland vessels loft New* South Wales about the same time that she did, tho biigantine Eiilan Donan and barquentine Silver Cloud. Beth have arrived in the Kaipara long since, and are almostJ ready to leave again, bv.fc thore is no word of the unfortunate Handa Isle. The Eiilan Doran left Newcastle the day before the Handa Isle, and arrived in the Kaipara en tho 2nd insfc., nine days out. Her master reports.that on the 27ch ulb., four days out from Newcastle, ho spoke tha Handa Isle. The ves&els Nvoro in company for a lictlo while, then a light breeze sprang up and the vessel now missing waa ouß of sight in 4 hours, having left tho brigantine far behind. The Handa Isle had 10 tons mora ballast than the Eiilan Donan, and was in good order and trim. That was the laaO ever eeen of tho barquentine Shortly after the vessels parted a severe easterly gale sprang up, and blow with great) force for , some time. The Handa Isla was carrying a heavy press of sail whcnjlast seen ; in fact, there was some rivalry betvreen the two captains as to who should reach tho Kaipara first.

The Eillan Donan had her share of tha bad weather, and ib is believed that the illfated master of the lianda Isle " carried on " EO much that the vessel being light! sho capsized in a squall and foundered with all hands. It is very improbable that anything more will ever bo heard of the luckloss vessel.

Captain A. Robinson was formerly an Auckland resident, described by his cocwner, Mr D. Ross, as a very steady and reliable young fellow. He was a native of the North of Ireland. Hβ wae only married about 18 months ago, and us he had Ms young wife with him, the loss of the ship is even more distressing. Ho took Mrs" Robinson acrose mainly for the sake of her health. Their only child had died in Sydney before fehey left.

'The vessel had a crew of aboub 12 men, shipped in tho Kaipara a couple of months ago.

"The Handa Isle was owned (by Mr l>. Ross, of Auckland, in conjunction with her captain, the former holding seven-eighftiis of the shares. She was built at the North. Shore in 18S1 by Captain D. H. McKenzie, ar.d cost£s,Coo. She was not insured, a policy of £1,500 on her being allowed to lapse quite recently. Last month Mr Rosa had an offer of £2,250 for her, from a Sydney Chinese trader, Ah Chong, but would not accept ifc. She was a vveli-built vessel of 261 tons register. Capt. Robinson had been mate in her for the last two or three years, only lately taking charge. In connection with the wreck the second mate, late of the vessel, has had a singular escapo, having stayed behind here on last) vieitTof the Handa Islo to tho Kaipara in. order to.pass his examination for firsb mate.