WRECK OF THE NETHERBY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 134, 9 August 1866, Page 3

WRECK OF THE NETHERBY.

By the Gothenburg, we have news to the 28th ult. The Argus of 23rd, has an account of the wreck of the Netherby, on her voyage from London to Brisbane, with emigrants. The vessel "was wrecked on King's Island. The Netherby was an old ship, of nearly a 1,000 tons burthen, and well known in this port. She was commanded by Captain ' Owens (this being his first voyage in her as master), and sailed from London early in April, and from Plymouth on the 13th of that mouth, with 452 passengers on board, nearly all Government emigrants. She had also a large cargo of railway iron for the Queensland railway. On Saturday, the 14th inst., she was close to the entrance to the straits, but the weather for some clays previously had been of such a character that no observations could be obtained. At half-past 7 p.m., while the ship was going about seven knots an hour, land was seen, but so close that in less than three minutes from the time when the first sign of danger was observed, the Netherby struck on the rocks on the western shore of King's Island, almost at its extreme southern end, and about 35 miles from the lighthouse. During the night the sea was comparatively calm, and at daylight — the ship being hard and fast on the rocks. — the work ef removing the passengers to the shore commenced. This was accomplished successfully, but while the work was going on, the wind had increased and the sea had risen so much that all the ship's boats, excepting a small gig, were stove in, the crews narrowly escaping with their lives. » The weather had been thick, no land was seen, and the vessel having so far missed her way, had got among some highly dangerous reefs, and so went on the rocks. Her condition from that moment became worse and worse, the roar of the surf gave warning of breakers all round, the ship was evidently filling, and the black night over all made up « terrible scene. None on board could tell with any accuracy where they were. Finding the water gaining in the vessel, tb,e captain set all hands to work to get up stores from the hold ; but before much had been done in this way the lower decks were flooded, and at last the only thing to do was to wait for the day. The night was passed in great suspense. The general expectation was that the ship could not live it out; but there was no confusion, and the people were composed. Crew and passengers — and some of the females had been looking for their confinement daily-^— expected her to go to pieces each minute ;, nevertheless, Sunday morning breaking, found them still safe, and the fog lifting, showed them the shore about a quarter

of a mile 'distant. Even then their lookout was awfnl; for, with sunken rocks, breakers, - lines of surf, and a rugged, inhospitable shore before them, the aspect of affairs remained imminently dangerous. As soon as could be, - preparations were made to get the people on shore. The ship had five boats, but one broke up before it could be used, and two others ' were smashed before all were landed, for the weather became stormy. The : getting on shore was at last achieved by fastening a line to the land and working' the boats along it like a ferry-boat. The Victorian Government exerted themselves to the utmost to carry provisions to the sufferers. Captain Norman was instructed by Mr. M'Culloch to proceed with the Victoria with all speed to King's Island, taking provisions, medical comforts, and a supply of blankets, &c, with instructions to render the shipwrecked people all the assistance in his power. The Argns of the 25th iust. states : — The arrival here yesterday of H.M.C.S.S. Victoria with 230 souls, mostly women and children, and the harbor steamer Pharos, with 60 men, passengers and crew.