WRECK OF THE BARQUE BLAIRLOGIE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 298, 23 December 1897, Page 8

WRECK OF THE BARQUE BLAIRLOGIE.

On arrival of S.S. Upolu at Papeete, Tahiti, on the Gth inst., news had arrived the day previous of the wreck of the ship Blairlogie of Glasgow on Matahio, the most northerly island of the Paumotu group, on the 3rd inst. The Blairlogie is comparatively a new vessel, being only about three years' old, built of steel and of 1525 tons. She 'was bound at the time from Delagoa Bay, S.E. Africa, to Astoria, Oregon, in ballast. One of the Blairlogie's boats brought the news to Papeete, upon which the Union Company's steamer Croix dv Sad (late Southern Cross) was sent down to the wreck. The Croix dv Slid returned on Sth inst., just before!! the Upolu's departure with the remainder of the crew, including the captain's wife and two children, but nothing else was saved, the vessel reported to be a total wreck. The crew were being cared for by H.8.i1. Consul, Mr R. T. Simons.

The following additional particulars of the wreck of the barque Blairlogie have been received. On the voyage from Delagoa Bay to Astoria, Oregon, all went well until Tahiti was sighted on November 22nd, when strong north-west gales with hard squalls and much rain were experienced. On the 26th the position of the ship, by dead reckoning, was 40 miles north by west from Matahira, the vessel being under easy canvas. The weather continued very ' thick and dirty, and although Captain Mackay considered that "he had given the islands of the group a wide berth, he warned the lookouts to attend to their duties. A- eleven p.m., when the wind was blowing strongly from the north-north-west, and the vessel was on the port tack, the chief officer noticed a low, black line on the horizon stretching from dead ahead to two points abaft the beam. He at once called the captain, by whom the helm was put hard up, tiie yards squared, and all hands called on deck. The barque swung round, but in doing .so struck the reef, taking it lightly at first. An attempt was then made to get the vessel oil', but without success, and she was swept broadside on to the breakers, and soon heavy seas began to break over her, washing her fore and aft.

Captain Mackay then gave orders to get the lifeboats out, a most difficult and dangerous work. Tlie port lifeboat was swung out, but while hanging on the davits was swamped and washed away. It was then decided te remain on the barque till daylight. During the night heavy seas hurled the vessel more and more on the coral reef, and the hold filled up with water. This steadied the ship and made the bumping less severe. All the rockets and signal lights on board were set oil', iv the hope that thoy would be noticed and assistance sent, but no reply was received.

At daylight it was found that the ship was within 200 yards of the beach, and it was decided to make an attempt to land. The surf was breaking very heavily on the beach, but the dingy, in which were the chief officer and two hands, was launched, having on beard a small line, the end of which was retained on board. After a severe struggle a lauding was effected, and a hawser was hauled ashore by which the rest of the. crew and a quantity of provisions were landed.

On an examination of the island being made next day, it was found to be uninhabited, and only bad a few coeoanut trees growing on it. The officers then resolved to make the attempt to launch the lifeboat through the surf, so chat the chief officer might proceed to Papeete to report the wreck of tlie vessel, and obtain assistance for the members of the crew left on the island. An unsuccessful attempt was made to get through the surf in the even-ing,-but another attempt, made on the next morning, proved successful. The lifeboat got through the surf with a crew of seven men, and stood for Tahiti. It was found that tbe boat bad been badly damaged while trying to get through tlie surf and two men had to be kept bailing her out. Tahiti was reached next morning, the harbour Of Papeete being made at noon. The wreck was reported to tbe British Consul, who communicated with the authorities of the island on the subject. The s.s. Croix dv Sud was despatched at 5 p.m. for Matahii'it, where she arrived the next afternoon, when it was found that the barque's mainmast had gone by the board, and .she was bilged all along the port bow. The Croix dv Sud had to go three miles from the scene of the wreck in order to reach a safe anchorage, and the shipwrecked crew had to walk along the sand that distance carrying their personal belongings with them.' Captain Mackay had his wife and two little boys with him, and was thus largely handicapped for the walk. His appeals to tho crew (who were ali foreigners)'for help were disregarded, who replied that it was a case of everyone for himself. Captain liutton, of the Croix dv Sud, refused to allow the men to come on board until tlie captain, with his wife, children and belongings, had been taken aboard. Help was then rendered to the captain, and the steamer left for Papeete, arriving on the Sth inst. Nothing was saved from the wreck, and all the ship's papers were lost in the port lifeboat, which was swept away from the vessel.