LOSS OF THE MALEKULA.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13720, 29 April 1910, Page 7

LOSS OF THE MALEKULA.

BRISBANE, April 28.

An enquiry into the wreck of the Malekula has been opened. The captain attributed the stranding of the "essel to the chronometer being inaccurate, and the bad eteering of the native crew. The Marine Board decided to place on record the splendid behaviour of the captain in bringing the Malekula's boat across from Bampton Island to the mainland.

The Malekula (120 tons) struck the Brampton Reef, in the South-west Pacific, on January 9th. The crew tried hard to save her, but had to abandon the attempt, and started loading provisions on a sandy island, 10 miles away, which took a long time to accomplish. They stayed on the island a fortnight, and on February 28th saw a passing steamer, which appeared to bo making towards them, but a couple of hours later they lost all eight of her. The crew and the others lived on turtle, fish, etc., saving the other provisions for their intended voyage. Both boats were stove in while on the island) and one;boat was broken to repair the other. On April 14th a start, was made for the Queensland coast by the captain, mate, and chief engineer, the distance being tame 700 miles. The boat, a 2Qrfoot whale-boat, leaked badly, which necessitated constant bailing. The coast .was sighted during the night of the 16tK, and they landed at Fajm Island on the 17th. Rough weather was experienced almost throughout the voyage, and the three men suffered much from want of sleep.