TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS OF A CREW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6572, 9 December 1882, Page 2 (Supplement)

TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS OF A CREW.

Captain Ciukwick and 23 of the crew of the Bendigo (steamer), of Liverpool, were brought into Swansea in a very emaciated and utterly destitute condition. Ti;c Buudigo left Liverpool with 900 tons of general cargo, for Ueineraia. Her crew was "25 hands, all told. The weather she experienced was very bail, p.wl she was much knocked about; but nothing serious happened till Sunday evening, when the bunker hatch was burst in by the sea, and she began to rill fast. Two of the three boats she carried were smashed, but the third was got afloat, and the crew jumped iu. When they pushed off they found, too late, that they had left behind them on board the steamer a passenger named M'Leod, and Robert Williams, the cook, the latter having gene below to call the former to the boat. As the sea was so rough, and as the Bendigo threatened to go clown every moment, the captain ami crew, fearing it would be certain death to all if they went back. left the two men t; their fate, and both went down with the ship shortly afterwards. This happened about 140 miles from the Tusker, off the Irish coast. The crew in the ship's boat had no food or water, and very little clothing, ami in this destitute condition were tossed about by the waves until Wednesday morning, when they were fortunately picked up by the schooner Richard Cobden, of Swansea, ani taken into that port. They were at once conveyed to the Sailors' Home.