THE NELLIE BRETT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 254, 27 October 1898, Page 6

THE NELLIE BRETT.

BOARDED BY A SPANISH

CRUISER.

AN EVENTFUL PASSAGE,

The barque Nellie Brett, which arrived from New York on October 18, had an eventful voj'age, inasmuch as she was 'bailed up. in mid-ocean by a Spanish cruiser. The passage itself Avas long and tedious, occupying no, less than 149 days, during *,vhich time she experienced a good deal of heavy AA'eather, a considerable amount of damage being done on deck, ln additic to these experiences a death occurred on board, one of the able; seaman, a German, dying of a complaint supposed to be. drops}-. A good deal of anxiety was felt, i i Auckland on account of the length of the voyi age, but any fears as to her safety are dispelled, for the vessei comes into port in fair order.

Captain Lowry reported that the vessel left NeAv York on May 21st. and had caling and light Avinds fromS. to E. N. h. to latitude 27.55 N. and longitude 41.41 W. on June 15th, on which day, while the vessel was lying becalmed, a Spanish; cruiser, formerly the passenger steamer Alfonso XIII., hove in sight, and after firing- a shot across her lioavs, sent a boat's crew about, the officer in charge of the boarding crew beingvery much in doubt that the vessel was an English one. Had very light Avinds and calms to the Equator, which was crossed on July 15, Ayhen 5t5 days ®ut. On July 25 it Avas found that the heel of the main topmastAvas giA'ing AA*ay and Avas unable to use it in strong winds. On September 10 had & hard gale, commencing at N.N.W., the glass falling to 2S.S. The squalls Avere terrific, and a fearful sea was-, running. Shipped a sea over fore rigging, Avhich stove in both boats, all. doors and windows of the forAvard house and AA rashed eA*erything adrift on deck. On September 28 while running in a gale shipped a sea over the poop, which stove in the pilot house door, and filled the cabin Avith water, ancl did other damage. On September 19 a German seaman died and was' buried at sea, the service being read by tbe master. Passed Tasmania on 4th inst. and had strong N.W. to S.W. Avinds to Cape Maria on Sunday. Passed Cape Brett on Monday meeting a strong S.W. gale lasting 12 hours, thence moderate winds to port. The vessel commences her discharging tom.orroAV, and on completion lends kauri gum for New York. The >"eliie: Brett- Avas registered under the English flag shortly before leaving New; York, as the war with Spain had then, begun.