STRANDING OF A BARQUE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8589, 16 September 1893, Page 9

STRANDING OF A BARQUE.

[press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, September 15. Yesterday as the Sydney barquentine Vacuna (formerly Flying Scud), with coal I from Newcastle for Onehunga iron works, was approaching the Manukau Harbour entrance by the mid channel she was impelled onwards by a moderate N.W. breeze, and sailed on to the Orwell bank. This was about eleven o'clock in the morning, and the tide flowing at the time. After bumping heavily once or twice the vessel slid off into deep water again, and was once more put before the wind. She had not escaped without damage, however, and on sounding the pumps the water was found to be fast filling the hold. She was evidently leaking to a considerable extent, and the pumps were at once manned. They were kept going steadily, but the water gained on the exertions of the men. When between the headlands she was boarded by the pilot, who brought her in safety to the Bluff, although the inflow of water into the hold was Btill in excess of the outflow. At the Bluff she was met by the steamer Tarn o' Shanter and Captain Robertson (Harbourmaster), and a gang of men, the water being then near the cabin floor. The fresh men at once relieved the sailors at the pnmps, and their determined efforts soon had an appreciable effect on the water in the vessel.' It was found that the water had ceased to come in, and by the time the vessel was berthed at Onehunga wharf its volume was being rapidly reduced, and at 8 o'clock this morning there were only 2ft in the hold. The Vacuna is an old Devon built ship, which has seen about thirty-two years' service. She is owned by Captain T. J. W. Corlett, of Sydney, who also sails her; she was formerly well known as the Flying Scud.