WRECK OF THE NOTERO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8473, 26 January 1891, Page 11

WRECK OF THE NOTERO.

AN UNKNOWN REEF. RETURN OF MASTER AN D MEN. After a long period of uncertainty and dread concerning her, the fate of the locallyowned barque Notero has at last been decided by the arrival in port of Captain Alexander Campbell and his crew by the s.s. ainui. We are indebted to Captain Campbell for the following details concerning the Notero's loss. The barque left Auckland on July 4th last for Rowland Island, under charter to Messrs. J. T. Arundel and Co. The run down was a smart one, and the Notero was off the anchorage at the guano depot on July 2.3, but after communicating with the shore and lauding her mails, she stood to sea again, the mooring buoys being occupied by the schooners Maile and Ryno. Ihese vessels having departed, the latter _ a full ship, with guano for Dunedin, the Notero moored at the loading berth on August 3. While she was shipping her cargo good weather prevailed, and the work was executed in splendid time, and on the 17th instant she was ready for sea._ Sailing from the anchorage at 4 p.m., Captain Camp bell made sail towards the north, but only threequarters of an hour after starting the barque struck heavily upon a shallow ridge stretching out in a westerly direction from the N.W. end of the. island, about a mile from the land. In the charts ot Howland Island and its vicinity there is no trace of any reef existing at this point, and those on the island and traders do not remember to have seen any ripple or break at the spot previously. As soon as the vessel struck all hands backed the sails, and made every effort to get the ship off, but with no avail, for she never budged. The barque, under the influence of the ground swell which began to come up and set her inshore, strained heavily, and at last when she began to give indications of breaking up, and was making water fast, Captain Campbell gave orders for the boats to be lowered. The crew all got safely into these, saved a quantity of provisions, clothing, and a few moveables, and reached the shore just as darkness came on, the master having done everything in his power to save the ship. When morning broke it was seen that the Notero had become a complete wreck, and during August 18 she broke in two, and a considerable portion drifted away to sea. Captain Campbell and hi 3 crew, assisted by those stationed on the island, saved what could be got at, and the wreck was sold to Captain Theet, Messrs. Arundel and Co.'s manager of the guano depot for £20. The 'latter gentleman did all in his power to render the shipwrecked crew as comfortable as possible under the circumstances, but it was weary waiting for rescue. After a sojourn of four months, aid came at length in the shape ot the brigantine Ryno, Captain Tribe, which it will be remembered left this port with the intention of looking for the castaways. On December 13th she took all the Notero's crew aboard, and steered for Apia, Samoa. This port was reached on December 28, the same day on which the Union S.S. Co.'s Island steamer Wainui came in from Auckland via Tonga. Captain Campbell and his men all transferred themselves and their few belongings to the Wainui, and left Samoa on December 27th. After calling at Niuafou, Suva, Lancalaßay, Vavau, and Nukualofa, the steamer came on to Auckland, and all were safely landed. The Notero's company, all of whom came ashore here in good health were : —Captain Alexander Campbell (master), Mr. M. Case (mate), George Irving (steward), Duncan Stewart (boatswain), seamen' A. Baird, G. Ahtedt, J. Anderson, Otto Anderson, Roe, and Rudolph Bergh. Of these Captain Campbell is the only one hailing from Auckland, and as may naturally be expected he lost no time in apprising his family of his safe return. Mr. Campbell was staying with her daughter, who is married to Mr. J. J. Craig, the owner of the wrecked vessel. Proceeding to the latter's residence in Wellesleystreet in the early dawn Captain Campbell aroused the household, and the disturbed sleepers had a most joyous surprise, while the shipwrecked mariner met a most warm welcome. Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Craig, as well as the rest of the captain's family, though they had fully made up their minds that some serious mishap had happened to the long overdue Notero, had not given up hope for the safety of her company, and the realisation of their wishes by the return of all safe must be most gratifying. The Notero was a fane, staunch wooden barque of 430 tons, and had done excellent service in the intercolonial trade, being a. fast sailer and good carrier. She was built in Frondjheiin, Norway, m 1880, and purchased by her present owner Mr. J J. Craig, and registered here in 1884. Her hull was insured for £1500,' while her charterers Messrs. J. T. Arundel and Co. also had her freighting and guano, which was all lost, of course, also covered.