WRECK OF THE GEORGE H. PEAKE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1870, 3 August 1874, Page 3

WRECK OF THE GEORGE H. PEAKE.

[NEWCASTLE PILOT, JULY 13.] The barque Sierra Nevada arrived in port on Saturday with the shipwrecked crew of the George H. Peake on board, and brought the first intelligence of the foundering of the last-named vessel at sea. The particulars of the disaster are detailed in Ihe subjoined report, which has been furnished from a reliable source. From this it will be seen that a collision took place between the Sierra Nevada and the George H. Peoke, and latter almost immediately sank. The brig George H. Peake, Captain Pye. 263 tons register, left this port on Friday, at half-past 4 p.m., bound for Melbourne, with 403 tons coal, with a moderately westerly wind. At halj-past 2 a.m. on the 11th inst., when five miles S.E. of Bird Island, and about twenty miles south of Newcastle, the weather then being fine but hazy, a very large vessel hove in sight, about threequarters of a mile off, under full sail, and appeared to be bearing down on the brig. She was seen before the lights could be distinguished. The second mate of the brig was on the watch, and the brig was steering the regular course, the wind being west. As soon as he saw that a collision was inevitable he at once called the captain ; the brig's course was altered as much as time would allow to keep clear, and the larger vessel, which proved to be the barque Sierra Nevada, was hailed to keep away, without avail, for In a few seconds she struck the brig on the starboard gangway, and the brig sank almost immediately. The shock was so sudden that the time could not be measured from the time she was first struck to the time she went down. The captain and seven of the crew managed to get into the boats ; but three of the crew fell into the sea, and were with some difficulty rescued. Captain Pye endeavored to reach his cabin to save the ship's papers, &c, but the water rushing in he could not do so. As soon as the deck of the bark was reached the crew was mustered, and it was found that none were missing. Captain Pye had his lights burning. The captain and crew lost everything belonging to them in shape of clothes, &c, the former losing also his chronometer, charts, and papers. Captain Pye and the crew desire to return thanks to Captain Don and his wife for their kind attention in supplying clothes and warm coffee, &c, to the shipwrecked crew. They desire also to express their gratitude to Mr C. Hannell, the shipping master, for the exertions he took on their landing in providing them with comfortable quarters and with necessary clothing.