WRECK OF THE FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18173, 19 August 1922, Page 10

WRECK OF THE FRANCE.

TERRIFIC CRASH ON REEF. ANXIOUS NIGHT IN A STORM. Details of the wreck of the world's largest sailing vessel, the five-masted barque France, on a reef off New Caledonia., on July 12. are given by two members of the crew of the wrecked vessel, who arrived at Sydney by the French steamer St. Joseph, on July 30. They reported that the France was piled high on a coral reef. When the crew left her she was dismasted, her bottom was badly damaged, and she seemed a total wreck. The France had taken a cargo from London to Noumea, and when she went ashore was proceeding to Tchio to load a cargo of ore for Europe. In ballast trim she left Noumea in tow of a French steamer. Adverse weather hampered the towing operations. Eventually, said one of the men, the tug had to cast adrift, and sail was made. It was a dirty night, with a south-west storm blowing, when breakers were reported to leeward, and all efforts to save the ship were futile. She was caught by the swift current prevailing off the coast of New Caledonia, and dashed with terrific force on to the reef. With the seas breaking all round her. the crew were in a serious plight, and wireless calls for assistance were sent out. Hanging on to the wet and slippery decks, all hands spent an anxious night on the wreck. Their, lives were endangered from falling wreckage. One mast did crash, but it fortunately fell clear, and no one was injured. When at last daylight broke it ww seen that the fine ship was a total wreck, and, taking, advantage of a falling tide, the crew took to the boats. They had some difficulty in getting clear of the breakers, but at last got out into smooth water, and effected a safe landing at a small village in the vicinity, subsequently proceeding overland to Noumea.