THE WRECKAGE ON THE AUCKLANDS.

Evening Star, Issue 9833, 23 October 1895, Page 1

THE WRECKAGE ON THE AUCKLANDS.

INVERCARGILL, October 22.

With reference to the assumption that the vessel lost on the Auckland Islands was the Stoneleigh, the Australian ‘Shipping News’ of July 27 reports that the Dunsyre, which left Sydney for Loudon on February 23, reported that on March 13 (position not stated) she encountered a fierce hurricane from the S.E., and next day passed a quantity of lifeboat wreckage—rudder, sternsheet, etc. —and picked up one oar. All the gear was apparently fresh in the water two days previously. The Dunsyre had spoken the Stoneleigh. On the day of the hurricane the Dunsyre was eighteen days out from Sydney, and if she was the vessel that last spoke the Stoneleigh, in 146deg W., she must have travelled about 200 miles per day to reach that position—a good, but not phenomenal speed. The Rotomahana arrived at the Bluff from Melbourne on the slh of March, and probably Captain Waller spoke the Stoneleigh on the 3rd, when four days out. It is therefore improbable, though possible, that the latter was the ship lost on the Aucklands. That point can, however, only be conclusively cleared up by ascertaining the position of the Dhnsyre on the 11th of March, when the Stoneleigh was spoken. It is believed here that the Stoneleigh was a wheat-laden barque. The Maria Alice, from Sydney to Antwerp, is 200 days out, and posted as missing. CHRISTCHURCH, October 22.

Nautical people who have viewed the remains of the wreck at the Ancklands brought by the Hinemoa agree that the Wellington opinion that the vessel was the Timaru is not correct. The gear came from a ship built long after the Timaru. The Invercargill telegram inferring the wreck to be that of the Maria Alice is regarded as more possible, and it is believed that the wreckage came from either the Stoneleigh or the Maria Alice. The Collector of Cnstoms at Melbourne has been written to regarding the speaking of the Stoneleigh by the Donsyre on March 13, as it is-believed the discharged members of the crew of the latter vessel or some shore hands may be able to give valuable testimony.