WRECK OF A WHALING BARQUE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3786, 3 September 1883, Page 3

WRECK OF A WHALING BARQUE.

Auckland, This day. Tho Cygnet, Avhicli arrived on Saturday from Samaa and Apia, reports a hurricane in the islands, and the loss of the Avhaling barque Espcculador, belonging to Mr Thomas Henderson, jun. No lives were lost. A number of other vessels were Avrccked at tho same time. The Cygnet brought up Captain Irvin and the crew (17) of the Avreckcd barque. Captain Irvine gives the following account of a storm, Avith heavy hail and thunder, which passed over the Habaai group on the 12th of August. The Cygnet and the Espcculador, of Auckland, Avcre anchored off Lifuka at 10 p.m. Tho Avind increased to a strong gale from the west, shifting to, north-Avest at 2 a.m. On the 13th the Ai-ind Avent back to Avcst, blowing Avith hurricane force, seas breaking clean over the A-essels at anchor. Tho Cygnet parted her cable, and Avent ashore on Lifuka reef at high Avatcr, 2 a.m., carrying aAA-ay her ruddo . Four days aftenvai'ds she got off. The Espcculador parted Avith her anchors with 80 and 45 fathoms cable, and Avas totally wrecked on the north - west reef at Lifuka. The schooners Moitallalo, Lifuka, Fusatmla, and every vessel in Lifuka Avere piled up on the morning after tho storm. The Espcculador had a small amount of oil on board, probably £250 Avorth. Tho Colonial hold an open policy of £1500 on the cargo, but re-insured to one-third. Tho South British had £1500 on the hull, partly re-insured. , The Espcculador had a splendid ci-cav on board at the time, and her aadialing prospects Avere extremely good.