SAVED AT SEA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 160, 8 July 1899, Page 5

SAVED AT SEA.

FOUNDERING OF AN ITALTAN

BARQUE

SAYING A DERELICT'S CREW.

The American barque Otterburn, which anchored in Hobson's Bay on June 29, had on board 10 Italian sailors, part of the crew of an Italian brigantine, wrecked in mid-ocean.

Captain Benson, of the Otterburn, stated that on the 30th March, in lat. 21deg., long. 21deg., a high sea running nt the time, the lookout reported something on the quarter. The skipper w reut in the direction indicated, and made out a vessel's mast. He bore away to get closer, and soon realised that the vessel was a derelict. Through blinding showers of rain a boatful of men were seen pullfrig for dear life, some being- employed using buckets to keep-the boat from s-wamp-ing, as heavy seas were breaking over it. The Otterburn hove to, amd at great risk took the strangers aboard.

One of their number conveyed the intelligence that they had left two lives behind. The crew of the Otterburn sprang to a boat wich was swung- out, and gallantly pulled by half a dozen willing hands to the derelict. They returned, however, with only the captain's cat and dog, for which they had risked their lives.

It subsequently transpired that the derelict was the Maria C. The master saved his papers, and waited op the Italian Consul and made his report.

The derelict was sinking rapidly when the Otterburn continued her voyage, which was eventful in other ways. On April 1, Robert Brown, the cook, broke a blood vessel, died, and was buried the same clay. A few days later a quarrel occurred between one of the crew and the boatswain. The sailor drew his knife and stabbed the- boatswain in the arm. He was promptly placed in irons, and will be handed over to the police.

The Maria C. was a brig, laden with cement, etc. At the office of the Con-sul-General for Italy the captain told her story. She w^as of 342 tons, belonging- to Naples. On October 31 last she left Marseilles for Benguella, Portuguese Central Africa. ■ From the day of leaving she experienced bad weather. She entered the Atlantic in December. On February 14 she was struck by a heavy sea and hurricanes, which continued to February 28. During it she sprung a serious leak. When the weather abated the men kept the water clown fairly easily with the pumps. On March' 18, while on a course for Ascension Island, the brig got into a fierce cyclone, and strained so badly that the leak became very bad. The pumps had to be kept gtring night and clay, but the water £,Tadually gained. The brig was headed for De Neide Island, and some days later she began gradually to settle down. She had to be allowed to drift. On March 30, 12 days after the cyclone, the brig was expected to go clown any moment. Her position was hopeless and deplorable. Suddenly a sail was sighted. It was instantly decided to abandon the brig, and a'boa't was got ready. Only a few trifling articles . were taken, including the ship's papers. The boat soon came in the course of the vessel, which proved to be the British barque Otterburn. The men speak of the excellent treatment they received on board the rescuing1 vessel.