WRECK OF THE FIJI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 214, 9 September 1891, Page 5

WRECK OF THE FIJI.

LIST OF THE DROWNED

HOW THE VESSEL WAS LOST,

Melbourne, September 8. The following is the correct list of those drowned on board the barque Fiji:—Bragman, first officer; Laedman,. third officer ; Petersen, Sandeburg, Sattean, Frederickson, Corkland, Foster, seamen; cook and stewards, names unknown; and Wilkinson, selector. The captain states that the wind veered and he had to tack, but the ship missed stays and went ashore. 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 trust to this slender support and swim through the surf. Only fifteen reached shore in safety ; the rest were drowned. Captain Vickers was the last man to leave the vessel, and half an hour afterwards it was completely broken up. Every efiort was made to save the crew by people on the shore, and while the sailors were battling in the water several men stripped to the waist, and with life lines round them rushed into the breakers in their endeavour to bring some of the exhausted men into safe quarters. Not once, but several times, did brave fellows risk their lives in 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 an endeavour to swim ashore, but was swept back again and again by the backwash, until he seemed thoroughly exhausted. Wilkinson plunged into the sea to assist the drowning man. They kept together for some time, but were apparently lost beyond hope when ropes from the ship reached them, and they were dragged on board. Wilkinson was thoroughly exhausted, and expired in a few minutes, 'but the other man recovered.