Wreck at the Three

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 22, 8 January 1907, Page 7

Wreck at the Three

Kings. Barquentine Elverland Founders. The Crew Land Safely. AUCKLAND, January 6. The Norwegian-built barquentine Elverland, a frequent visitor to this port, foundered and became a total loss near the Three Kings on Saturday last> Avhile on a voyage from Newcastle to Auckland, Avith a cargo of coal. No lives were lost. It Avas discovered on Saturday morning that the vessel avus leaking so seriously that there was no hope of her remaining afloat, the lifeboats Avere provisioned, and the crew Avere all put about. The crew consisted of tAvelve members, Captain Savory, tAvo mates, seven A.B.’s, an ordinary seaman, and a cook and steAvard, and six Avere placed in each boat. The captain’s boat Avas headed for the mainland for assistance, while the first mate’s boat’s crew landed on the Three Kings, a safe landing being effected with some difficulty on the lee side of the Big King. Captain Savory’s boat made the risky voyage to the mainland in safety, a.nd Pukenuinvas reached at one o’clock on Friday last, all landing safely, and being Avell looked after by the inhabitants. Mr. J. J. Craig, to Avhom the Elverland Avas chartered for the trip, receiyed the folio Aving telegram on Friday morning last from Captain Savory:— " Elverland foundered off Three Kings. CreAv all safe.” The vessel had 574 tons of coal aboard, and on discharge was to have loaded timber back to Sydney. Captain Savory had been master of. a largo number of

vessels trading on the coast of Ncav Zealand and across to Australia, and is well known as an exceedingly careful and capable navigator. . The Elverland was a Avooden barquentine of 361 'tons, built in Porsgrund, Norway, in 1895, and was purchased for the Australasian trade in 1891, being owned by Mr. John J. Smith, Balmain, Sydney. Captain Savory had an interest in the vessel. Telegrams received by the Collector of Customs at Auckland (Mr. John Mills) from the officer in charge at Mangonui and Captain Savory, Avho Avas in command of the Elverland, give fuller particulars of the loss of the vessel. The Elverland founded in deep Avatef. She had been becalmed for 14 hours between the Big King and Cape Maria Van Diemen. During this vessel Avas drifting ashore, and such imminent danger of being Avrecked that the crew had to get out the boats and commence to tow her clear of the land. In this they were successful, but Avhen the Elverland, after three hours’ towing, had been moved into deep water and apparent safety, it was found that she had sprunk a leak. There Avas no hope for the ship Avhen this fresh danger was discovered, the leaking being very extensive. Soon after the leak Avas reported, the Elverland foundered in deep Avater. Her position at the time Avas six miles west of Three Kings.