WRECK OF THE MEDEA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5803, 24 September 1880, Page 2

WRECK OF THE MEDEA.

Telegrams were received on Saturday, September 11th, to the effect that the barque Jledea, from Geelong for Newcastle, had gone ashore during the night between the Swanspit and Queenscliff. Captain Deane at once despatched the steamer Williams to render assistance, but on arrival at the scene of disaster it was found that she was too hard and fast to be towed off, and was making water fast. The owners, Messrs Huddart and Parker, then ma :e arrangements with Messrs Kobison Bros, to plate one of their large centrifugal i umps, with an engine and boiler, on board the steamer Despatch, aid the vessel was as soon as possible sent to the stranded barque, leaving Melbourne during the afternoon. She also took a gang of men to nssist the crew in getting the Medea off. It may be mentioned that the pumps sent to her are capable of throwing 2000 gallons per minute, arid as showing the expedition with which Messrs Kobison Bros, executed the order, which was only given to them at 10 a.m., everything was placed on bjard tho Despatch in time for her to leave by 3 p.m., but on getting down to the bay the gale was bo heavy that she anchored, and did not leave there until yesterday morning during a lull, having on buard Jlr Huddart, of Messrs Huddart, Parker, and Co. and Captain Daish, the marine surveyor, who went down on behalf of the underwriters with whom the vessel is insured. Tho Medei is 423 tons register, and was a very useful vessel, although an old one, having been built in 1853 at St. John's, N. 8., but was surveyed in 1870, and re-classed in Lloyd's register. The steamers Wiiliams and Despatch returned to the Bay last evening. The master, Captain W. Parker, who returned with the Despatch, gives the following account of the disaster :— Left Geeloug bar 2 p.m. on Thursday, the 9th mst. Brought up at the west channel lightship at 10 p.m. Wind northerly. Too thick to see Swanspit, so could not proceed. At 2 a.m. on Friday, 10th, strong wind came in at S.W. Half-past 4 got under way; proceeded across to south channel, beating to windward all day; strong S.W. Half-post 6 entered channel; wind about south; moderate. Hivlf-paat 8 passed through Heads (wind S.E., moderate), carrying topgallant sails. In the Kip found a very heavy sea, shin Dluneiug tows under. Got clear of Heads, and stomf out till half-past 11. Wind still south-east, increased to a heavy jjale, and a heavy sea running-. Ship heading from a. W. to SAY. by S., making about three points lee-way. Finding the barque drifting bodily on shore, and no possible means of saving the people*'lives or tho ship while outside, I worr the ship and stood back for Port Phillip Heads. Flood tide having made, carried whole topsails, courses, jio, end nxizen staysail. I carried this press of canvas to |

try to save our lives and the ship. Scraped past Queenscliff Bluff Reef about half cable's length off at half-pa-t 1 a.m. Saturday, Queenscliff Jetty bearing west. Tried to stay the ship to get across to the Quarantineground to take the canvas off the ship and bring up vessel; missed stays. Tried to wear, but when vessel was nearly before the wind she struck. Let go both anchors, and clewed up everything. Vessel drifted bodily in over the banks, and she now lies about twothirds the distance between Queenscliff Jetty and Swanspit beacon, with 10 feet of water in her hold. Remained by the ship until Sunday at noon, when Captain Daish, acting on behalf of all concerned, advised me to leave the ship in charge of the mate, with a seaman, as it was intended to sell the chip by auction at noon on Tuesday. Proceeded to the steamer l>espatch, then anchored off Queenscliff, when ■•■» all proceeded to Melbourne Wharf, arriving at half-past 5 p.m. on Sunday. Sent the crew to the Sailors' Home. —Age.