THE LOSS OF THE BARQUE NORNA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 131, 17 April 1862, Page 4

THE LOSS OF THE BARQUE NORNA.

Annexed is a copy of two communications relative to the loss of the English barque Norna, Wilson, from Newcastle (N.S.W.). tor Hongkong, on an uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean, known as St. Augustine, but as regards the fate of the crew nothing is known :— " H.M. Sloop Pioneer, Hongkong, October 19th, 1861. j»« " Gentlemen, —In compliance with the request which it contains, I have the honor to inform you, for your information, the enclesed papers, together with a copy of the record which is covered, and was found by me on the island of St. Augustine on the 22nd ultimo, when in search of the party of which the party of which the writer was one. I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant,

H. H. Reillt, Commander. To Messrs Came, Newton, & Co., Liverpool."

Copy of the original record :—" St. Augustine,^or Meartlean's Island and Pieef, North Pacific Ocean, latitude 7"11 north, longitude 155.18 east, August 19, 1861.

" This is to left in the S.E. end of this island, in a white glass bottle, under the ship's name Norna, nailed to a tree.

"We leave this island about this date, in a boat ■which was built on this island by 22 hands of the barque Norna, lost on the reef 24 miles E S.E from this, on Sunday night, the 31st of March, 1861 We arrived at this island, in all 31 hands, in one longboat and two smaller ones, on the 7th of April ; and on the 17th of April Captain Wilson, wife, and child, the chief officer (Mr. Robinson), one sailmaker, two quartermasters, and two Lascars, left this in the longboat, taking all sextants, chronometers, and compsssess, leaving nothing in ease they were lost. They went away with the intention of going to Guam to get assistance for us, the other boats being too small to carryall. We have now baen on this island better than four months, living on cocoa-nuts and mid fowls and turtle, which were to be had plentifully, but this last month there has not been any. We are going to try and reach the Pelew Islands, if we can (God willing), having heard nor seen any person since the longboat left. So much for Captains' promises and the pride of English Captains! A nice idea of the brave—first to leave the ship, and first to leave the crew!

"On the reef, about 14 miles from where the Norna was lost, is the wreck of a large Belgian -ship —the Constant of Antwerp—lost about the 7th oi July, 1858, from Sydney (N.S.W.), for Manila. The Norna was from Newcastle (N.S. W.) for Hong Kong. We left on the 4th of March, 1861. Her owners are Dent & Co., of Hongkong. If this record should be found, the finder (God willing), if he got on shore safe m a Christian country, forward it to Dent and Co., they would much oblige. We had to break up one of the small boats for nails. She was quite rotten. This is written by

" Robert Nixon Tweedle, late Second Officer of the barque Norna, on behalf of J. H. Forland, carpenter; George Edward, and Isaac Ceffle,? quartermasters; and 18 Lascars."— Mitchell's Steum Shipping Journal, January 3

The Camilla arrived from Auckland yesterday morning and anchored in the stream. The schooner berthed alonside the Franklin Wharf in the day to discharge. Captain White reports that the vessel loft Auckland on the 2nd March, and with the exception of the first days of the voyage experienced fine .reather, but with contrary winds. The Camilla was boarded by the American whaling ship Hope, four months from Sydney, all well; the Hope reported 10 tons sperm oil. The flying Squirrel for Dunedin, New Zealand, went down to Oyster Cove yesterday to take in timber.— Hobart Town Mercunj, March 27th. About six months ago the cradle of Messrs. Lucas and J eft'ries' Patent Slip was first laid down, nnuer the supervision of Mr. Lucas, and as we at all times hail with pleasure any new work which may be commenced, and which is likely to add to the many benefits that out harbour already oft'ers to vessels, we take notice of this work, which certainly reflects credit upon the owners The Slip, though not large, is very compact, and persons who have been on board vessels at the time of launching, state that it runs very easily. The incline of the rails is not so great as upon the other Slips in the port, and this is considered by many to be an improvement. A small engine of about eight-horse power hauls up vessels at fair speed, although it is seldom driven at higher than five-horse rate. A vessel of upwards of 300 tons burthen can be taken up with the greatest case upon the cradle. The works at present are in an unfinished state, therefore any one taking a casual glance couk not judge of their power. Already several vessels ot uooii-sized tonnage have been overhauled on the cradle, and we doubt not that the proprietors will be well rewarded by their speculation.— Hobart Town Aiarcnru.