SHOCKING DISASTER AT SEA.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1898, 5 September 1874, Page 2

SHOCKING DISASTER AT SEA.

♦ : — LOSS OF SEVE^ LIVES. [CO.NWAM CHBOJVICLE, AUGUST 24. A startling rumor spread through town on Friday afternoon, to the effect that news had arrived of a sad disaster to the brig Prairie, and the loss of Captain M'tfarlane aad moat of his ccew. The report lost nothing by travelling, but the telegraph office was visited by a large number of pc son 3, anoV the worst part of the intelligence was confirmed by the following telegram which was posted up there :— " I.2o— Arrived : Bng Pmne. from Pert Darwin v>a BrowsIsland m distress ; left July 4 Cargo 15 tons guano Lost anchor The whaMb -at coming off from Browse Island to the hrig was swamped with eight men. The mate was the only one saved, who brought the bng on here with .four boys and the cook. Proceeds into George Town. Names of people drowned :— Captain M 'Farlane. Hans Martin A.B, Thomas Burgess A.B, Wm Harburg A.B, Mr Clarke, Henry Womley apprentice, and Charles Johnson apprentice. The majority of the crew were Hnbart Town men, and but little known in Launceston, but Captain M 'Farlane was very well-known and respected here, and the vessels in port all had their flags half-mast high on Saturday as a mark of respect to his memory. Irom the information we have been able to gather, it appears the Prairie left Hobart : lown in April last on a voyage of discovery, and called at Rockhampton, Queensland, and Endeavor River, and then went cruising among the Islands. She called at P-.rt Darwin O n the 23rd June, and then away ; again cruising. On the 2nd July she was in the vicinity of Cape Levinge, King George's < bound, and the boat had been ashore at . JJrowse Island with the captain, Mr Clarke, i &i^ e J^ nae Hotel > ILower Murray street, Hobart Town; Mr Farr, first mate; and! those of the crew mentioned in the telegram. ' When returning to the brig the boat filled in i tne heavy surf rolling just off the island,; and was swamped. The captain swam ttil exhausted, and then sunk, but Mrlarr, who! is a powerful swimmer, managed to reach a rock and subsequently the island. He saw nothiDg wore of hk unioctanate companions, < and remained on the island for two nights: and a day without food «r water; hut on' the morning of the 4th of July, the steward! or fcne brig managed to reach the island with " a, boat, and brought Mr Farr safely on board: the vessel. Mr Farr was obliaed to slip the, anchors and make sail, as there was a heavy ' sea on, an^ he reached the Tamar Heads safely about midday on Friday, both himself ; and the remainder of the crew being almost ': worn out with fatigue. The Prairie anchored ™ George Town Cove that evening, and on Saturday evening was still there, Mr Farr aw aiting instructions. LA.UNCESTON EXAMINEE, AUGUST 25 ] The news of the sad loss of Captain M 'Farlane, with five of his crew, of the brig Prairie, and of Mr Clarke, of Hob "-t Town, at King George's Sound, has caused a very painful sensation throughout the colony. Captain M'Farlane was well known here as an amiable, sensible shipmaster ; a steady persevering man, and a thoroughly trustworthy seaman. The members of his crew who perished so suddenly with him were not so well known here, but deep symp. thy is felt for all, not only for tho-e who havei perished, but with those th^y have left desolate and destitute behind them. At Hobart Town, Mrs Fisher and Facey, themselves, great losers by the Prairie expedition, are; making vigorous and commendable efforts to I raise a fund for the aid of the widows, child- i i eui, and i a 1 enrs left in th* world unprovided ; for in consequence of the sn.ideu destruction of this brave litt'e 'v-nd of bread-winners i Even the app entices wh pe>i«hed were th-i stay and support to ag*d parents. The i living victims of this sad calamity resid* at! or near Hobart Town, but sympathy — j>rac-| tical spmpathy — should and will extend 1 throughout the colony.