WRECK OF THE S.S. QUEEN CHRIS TINA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11642, 27 January 1900, Page 6

WRECK OF THE S.S. QUEEN CHRIS TINA.

The Melbourne Argus' gives the following account of the wreck of the s.s. Queen Christina and.the terrible experiences of her crew in connection with that disaster: —

"The remainder of the crew of-the Queen Christina, which was wrecked -on:'the Lihou ■Reef, arrived at Towusville in the steamer Earrxitta on the night of. the 15th inst.

"Captain Breaks, when interviewed at Townsville, said that when the gale began to blow the vessel was 115 miles east of the'.Lihou Reef. The gale increased to ■» hurricane, and at noon on ihe 23rd she ought, according to calculations, to have 'been 80 miles off the reef. The tempestuous winds and the currents, however1, drove the Queen Christina out of her course, and about half-past 5 o'clock on the afternoon of the 23rd she went on the reef. As 6oon as he found that -he Jiad no ohanee of clearing the 'reef,-'he let go -the anchor, giving it 110 fathoms of chain, but it found no bottom, find the anchor had no effect until the vessel took the edge of-the reef. Just then a mountainous sea-came and lifted the steamer from 150 to 200 yds right pn to the top of the reef. The vessel sat there, with the seas driving and the spray 'breaking over, her, and she was bumping and grinding all night. All Sunday the crew could not hear themselves speak a foot awa-y : from .eaoh other, .so deafening was-.the sound of the wind and waves. . ;

"On Christmas Day the weather began to moderate. On Tuesday the conditions improved to comparatively fine, with ,a •heavy surf, and on Thursday they -got the jjoat out and went round the steamer to ascertain her position. As a result ..of the expedition, they found her in a very criticarposition, lying on the top of the reef. : They' waited until the spring tides, thinking they might perhaps float her. The ship, however, didnot move, and on New Year's morning the second mate, the fourth engineer, two and two seamen went ashore in a gig. Another--expedition, under the chief officer, with half of the crew, was in contemplation.. He (the captain) was going to give them a reasonable time, and then follow with the remaining hands.

The ship was firmly . stationed- 150 yds or 200 yds inside the edge of the reef,, and 365 miles from Townsyille. . The opinion of visitors to the wreck was that it would be a matter of very great expense to make an attempt to tow the Queeii Christina off, apd_ Very risfcy if successful, owing to the unsettled weather. It is possible that another visit will be paid, with the object of deciding what will be done. The Barratta accomplished the outward passage in 60 hours and the return trip in 50 hours." ' ■ •