THE WRECK OF THE ALBATROSS.

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 265, 17 December 1870, Page 7

THE WRECK OF THE ALBATROSS.

[From the Auckland Herald .]

The arrival of the schooner Kauri, from the Fijis, on the 19th, brought intelligence of the loss of another vessel hailing from this port, on one of the reefs to the northward of the Fiji group. The Albatross was one of the finest vessels of her class out of Auckland, and had for a considerable time been used for a pleasure yacht by his Lordship the Eai'l of Pembroke. Having made a successful voyage to the South Sea Islands, the Albatross was about to visit the Fijis, previous to her return to Auckland. From Rorotonga she proceeded to Samoa, where she remained about five days, and from thence was bound for Levuka. On the evening of the 22nd October, after a fair run, land was made out, and the night was very dark, with heavy rain. Captain Braund decided to heave-to for the night. At about half-past nine o’clock, while the vessel was head reaching, under small canvas, she struck upon a reef not laid down in the charts. The reef is situated about 300 miles to the north of Levuka. As soon as the vessel struck the boats were lowered, but, as the tide was receding, the crew were allowed to remain on board till the following morning, when they landed on the island, taking with them as much as possible from the schooner, including a large quantity of provisions. The next morning as the tide rose the vessel filled, and nothing more could be saved from her. The party remained on the island for ten days, and then left in boats for the island of Abeona, which was reached after being in the boats for 36 hours. I ortunately, the barque Duke of Edinburgh was lying there, loading cotton for Levuka, and his lordship, Captain Braund, and the crew, were taken into Levuka by that vessel, arriving at their destination after a passage of six days. Upon arrival there the schooner Kauri was on the berth for Auckland, and some of the crew were forwarded on by her, the others remaining behind to await the arrival of the steamer Auckland. We understand that a number of pigs and a quantity of provisions were left on the island where the vessel was lost, and that immediately on receipt of the news in Levuka the cutter Lizard was despatched to bring back what was left. Captain Shepherd was the bearer of the letters for Mrs. Braund and others, giving the above particulars of the accident. We are informed that the Albatross was insured for the sum of £IOOO in the office of the New Zealand Insurance Company.