LOSS OF A NEW ZEALANDBOUND VESSEL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12640, 18 April 1903, Page 10

LOSS OF A NEW ZEALANDBOUND VESSEL.

A VICTIM TO THE GREAT STORM. LOSS OP ALL HANDS. (Frok Oys Own Correspondent.) LONDON, March 6. Last mail I referred to the terrific gales that had prevailed on British coasts during tho week that had then passed. Oα Saturday another fearful hurricane sprang up, and during its continuance many wrecks occurred. Late- on Sunday night, for the galo continued, for several daya, a vessel was scon off Penzance showing signals of distress, and at 10 p.m. she struck the Brisso;i Hocks, four miles north of the Longsliips, and appeared to sink or go to pieces On Monday many pieces of cases and casks addressed io places in New Zealand were washed r.shore. Two men who were watching for wreckage on Monday night were washed away and drowned. The same dny, the body oi a sailor, of middle age, wearing wooden boots, and having the appearance of a Norwegian, was washed up near Penzance. Though there were no signs of the vessel it was evident that she had foundered, but what sho was thero were no means of telling. Iγ, was evident, however, that she was a vessel outward-bound for either Australia or New Zealand—probably tho latter. Inquiries were mado both at the Shan - , Savill, and Albion Company and the New Zealand Shipping Company's offices, but at neither of iiiose places did thero exist any cause for alarm, as none of their steamers would have been in the vicinity at tho. time. Opinion at Lloyds was divided concerning the ideality oi the craft, lint it was felt that it must bo one o> three ships—namely, tho Luna, which was a Gernwn barque, loaded ai Livcrpoo; .'or New Zealand by Me3sr3 Gracie, Beazley, and Co.; tlie Julius Palm or tho Kildaton, and on each of these, last Tuesday, 75g:i per cent, reinsurance premium was paid.

On Wednesday, the authorities at Loyds concluded that it was praclically certain that the foundered vessel was tho Luna. This vessel was of about SCO to 900 tons register, nnd was believed to bo msnued by Germans. From thci fact that femalo clothing was washed ashore it was concluded that tlio captain's wife was on hoard with her husband. All, it was feared, had perished, Immediately upon the publication of tho sad news I communicated with tlio agents for tho missing vessol—Messrs Crncio, ]3c-nzloy, and Co., of Livcrpooljt-wlio replied with courteous promptness, informing me that the barque Luna was chartered by them for Wellington and Duncdiu wharf, and sailed from Liverpool on the 16th February with a general cargo, con■sisting of pipes, hoop iron, bar iron, machinery, earthenware, chemicals, beer, etc. "Wo think," added Messrs Gracio and Beazley, " there can be no doubt that tho Luna has been lost ofli Penzance, and that the crew have all been lost. She was chartered as one of our regular sailers from/this port to Now Zealand, and will he a heavy loss to underwriters." .

in (ho current isauo of the Journal of Commerce the following particulars aro given relative to this dcp!oT:ib!e disaster:— A Pcnzanco telegram states that a boat's namcboard c&rae ashore- near St. Just, marked Luna. It is now feared that this in the vessol which was lost on tho Brissoni on Sunday night. Sho left Liverpool on the 10th February for Wellington and Dimedin, with a general cargo, and was seen off the Longships on Saturday, tho 28th February, by the' steamer Killacney, of Cork, following is tho report of tho master of the Killarney: —February 28, at 7.30 p m., 2i miles oft Longships, fell in with n disabled barque. Sho wanted to be towed to Faltnotith, and replied low her to Falmouth if she had a- good tow rope. The master said ho had one ready, and between 8 p.m. and midnight made five or bLt attempts to get a line aboard, but failed. At midnight, Wowing a gale, attempts had to be abandoned, and stood by barque all night.

"On Sunday morning, about 6.30, barque still showing distress signal, and had Gorman ensign tied to main rigging, 'Luna, of Hamburg,' was on her stern. About 9.80 a.m., the weather moderating, a line was passed on board two or threo times, but people on board made no attempt to put out tow rope. The ensign that was tied in rigging was now hoisted at the peak,- and the barque commenced to make moro sail. The captain then said ho had no tow rope, so wo proceeded toward Cork. Tho Cornish coast was in sight, 15 miles distant, and several steamers were also in sight. Tho Killarncy was Btanding by tho vessel 16* houra, and lost three lifeboats, two coils of rope, and some cork jackets in trying to render assistance, to the vessel.

" The Liverpool Salvage Association received the following telegram this. afternoon from Messrs , Matthews aiitj, Sons,, of Ponzance, Lloyds' agents: 'A barque supposed Jost near Longships Sunday night; wreckage and cases aslioro marked ' DiiModin,' and also lifeboat marked ." Luna. Hamburg," and house {lag marked "W. &'J. .or K," a lifebuoy, bearing ths nams of Imnn and-a sailor's body have, also been washed ashore. (Liverpool, March 3.) (The. Luna, was under tho commend of Captain Schmidt, and all'the crew camo from Germany with tlio captain; who-relieved-Captain Tiedenianii at Flpotwqod. Shi; -was- an iron barque of 810 tons gross and- 777- tons net resistor, built in ISBS at Kiel, and owned bv Messrs Wacksmuch nnd Krogniaini-, of Hamburg).'"