A. TERRIFIC GALE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 221, 18 September 1893, Page 3

A. TERRIFIC GALE.

THE VOYAGE OF THE NATUNA,

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE OF THE

CREW.

jOx the 2nd in3lanfc it was briefly reported that the abovenamcd vosael had pat into iiobart in distress, with captain and crew j injured. We are now in receipt of further particulars of the fearful gale encountered by this barque in Bass's Straits, the terrible hardships endured, and the miraculous escttpo of the crew. The barque Natuna Ici'c Vancouver on April 21st with 970,000 ft of timber for Port Pirie, and tnadc a very fair run wibh moderate southeast trades to the Fiji Islands, which were passed on Junesth. When the ship was in longitude 14Cdeg. east and latitude 43dog. couth, a freeh north-west gale was encountered, which afterwards hauled round to the N.N.E. There was a very heavy sea running to the S.S.W. and west. At 6 p.m. the ship was hove-to under grjosewing lower topsails. By 7 p.m. the tempest increased so that the barque's lee rail was down in the water, which was now up to the main hatch ; heavy aeaa came tumbling aboard, or making clean breaches over the vessel. Matters now became very serious, Captain Ueneui;, who had contracted a fever at Portland (O.), tho ofleets o£ which had never left him, being scarcely able to stand. Everything portable was washed hither and thither, and tho sea 3 flooded the cabin and forecastle. The crew, who had been working manfully for some days, began to 3how signs of exhaustion, but tho worst had yet to come, tor some oi tho leeward deck cargo, consisting of heavy Hitches, began to life and loosonod tho wholo of tho deck cargo, breaking tho lashing planks. This being done the timber floated about in a most dangerous manner, and threatened to crush to death the worn out toilers. All this time the ship was on her boain ends. Ono poor fellow got his foot badly crushed by tho floating timber, and the oscapes of others were in uiatiy cases marvellous. All efforts to got tho ship bofora tho wind proved fruitless, and tho wind aud soa increased in fury. At last it waa decided to jottison tho deck cargo no us to get the vessel on an even keol. With yreut difficulty this was dono, planko, spare spars, scow, and other things were oont overboard, necessitating the cutting of somo running gear. At midnight) tho wind shifted from tho north east to west. Tho ship fell on before tho sea, mid sufficient deck load was jattisoned to get the ship in proper trim, although she was shipping large quantities of water. To master and sevoraFof the crow wero injured and disabled. On the 2nd ult. tho wind and eoa moderated and allowed tho vessel to be rounded to ngiun. Moro heavy weather was experienced, and when in longitude I'lOdeg east latitude 4"deL r south the yes.sol could make no headway, find it was docided to etoer for Hobart, and eventually tho Natuna nacurod Ihe services of tho steamor Zolla, and was toned to Three Hub Point on iho Slat ultimo, Captain Gonenss proceeding up to Hotmrb at onco for medical advico and assistance.