ARRIVAL OF THE ESTRELLA.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 6850, 7 September 1887, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE ESTRELLA.

The barque Estrella, of Liverpool, was signalled from the Heads on the afternoon of September 4th, and later on was towed in from sea by the tug Lyttelton, and berthed at the Gladstone Pier shortly before five o'clock. Being from Calcutta she was met outside the Moles by Dr. Guthrie, Medical Health Officer, Mr Chillman, H.M. Customs, and the Press representatives, who, as she had a clean bill of health, at once boarded her. She comes to port in excellent trim and good order, although she has experienced strong winds and high seas for the most part of the passage, which was accomplished in fortyeight days, the best record from Calcutta to this port that has ever been made, and it is to be regretted that the voyage should haye been marred by a fatal accident. The Estrella brings a cargo of season's woolpacks and cornsacks, and it is consigned to Messrs Miles and Co., who advertise the usual notice to consignees. Captain Jones reports leaving the Sand He&ds on July 17th. and had strong winds from -S.W. all down the Bay of Bengal. Crossed the Line on July 28th in long. 95deg. E., when the wind shifted from N.W, to N.K., and continued so for two or three days, and were followed by strong S.E. winds, with very high seas, the vessel making good progress. Lost the S.E. trade winds in lat. 26deg. S., long. 92deg. E., and thence followed a succession of gales from S.W. veering to W.N.W. On August loth a terrific hurricane commenced from the W.N.W. and finished off atS.W., the barometer registering 29.10. Was compelled to heave the ship to, and at 0.30 p.m. shipped a very heavy sea over the bowsprit, which flooded the decks and carried overboard an apprentice named Herbert Thomas, aged twenty-one, and a native of Liverpool. He was seen to float astern, but went down in less than three minutes after. The very heavy sea running prevented any assistance being rendered to save the unfortunate fellow. The wind and sea were so intense that the vessel, although only carrying the lower maintop•ail, was thrown on her starboard beam ends, the shear poles being under water. The hurricane moderated at 8 a.m. on the 17th August, and the wind shifted to W.N.W., still blowing fresh gales. Crossed the meridian of Tasmania on August 24th. Winds still fresh, but sea moderate, and she made the Snares on August 28th, and up the coast had thick, foggy weather and light variable winds. No vessels were spoken on the voyage.