THE MUNCHEN WRECK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11621, 8 April 1901, Page 5

THE MUNCHEN WRECK.

Tub island steamer Oceana, which arrived on March 30, brought to Sydney several members of the ship-wrecked crew of the German steamer Muncben. The vessel, as will be remembered, was lost at Yap, in the Caroline Islands, while entering the harbour. A portion of the crew went on to Hongkong, whence the news was wired to the owners, the Norddeutcher Lloyd. It appears that the master of the Munchen and part of the crew were left at the wreck arranging for the salving of the steamer. No loss of life took place, and the cargo was all landed. The Munchen was a very fine steamer, designed for the passenger and cargo service, and at the time- of the disaster was opening a new service from Sydney to the Caroline Group and other islands, connecting with the North Germ"on_ Lloyd's eastern service at Hongkong. It is stated that the vessel was driven ashore in a storm and that "the bottom was torn out or badly punctured." The appliances at Yap for floating a large steamer are not very great, and it is possible that had the accident happened nearer a repairing port she might be floated and docked. The loss of a steel-built 4500-ton well-equipped steamer in a distant part of the Pacific is unfortunate. This is particularly the case as referring to the opening up of a new trade connecting the principal -Australian ports with places which had previously only beta within reach of merchants by sailing vessels.