THE LORD OF THE ISLES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXXI, Issue 7047, 8 October 1900, Page 2

THE LORD OF THE ISLES.

NARRATIVE OF THE CREW.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Auckland, October 8,

The crew of the wrecked barquentine, Lord of the Isles, which went ashore at the Northern Spit, have arrived from Kaipara.

1 The first mate states that the vessel left Sydney on September 10th. On the 22nd it fell in with a heavy gale and mountainous seas, the vessel straining heavUy, and having to be hove to till the 24th, when her- position was made out to be off [ Mangonui. She was put on her course again, and, approaching the heads on )gnttmg out everything. The crew, half, Baked au&w)in out by their nteviaua' \ OTSlftott. \\a3l to \vo,g on to topHJoitjp f tney could gt&sp, &n& it was found imncssible to launch the boats, Fin&U^ ( ail got to the after part of the vessel, where they hung on to the rigging for thevc lives. The \esse\ soon began to break up ; the masts went by the board, the top sides being completely lifted first; and then the vessel, breaking in half, the after part swung round, and the poop (on which the crew were) afforded them some t shelter. In the early morning the vessel began to go to pieoes, and the men were being washed off one by one, and it was a work of extreme difficulty for those left on the wreck to render them assistance. However, this was successfully managed, although the men who were washed off were badly bruised and knocked about. At three o'clock in the morning the poop-deck, with the top of the cabin, upon which all were gathered, suddenly broke loose from the wreck, and, forming a sort of raft, drifted ashore, all hands making the perilous journey through the heavy sea in safety, although there were many narrow escapes. The men, exhausted and half naked, made for Eaipara lighthouse, where everything possible was done for them.