WRECK OF A BARQUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1959, 10 September 1891, Page 31

WRECK OF A BARQUE.

(Per Press Association.)

Melbourne, September 7. The barque Fiji, from Hamburg, has been wrecked 16 miles east of Port Campbell, 163 miles south-west of Melbourne. A party of gentlemen who were walking along the coast in the vicinity yesterday discovered a man lying in the scrub almost'frozen stiff. He was torn and bleeding, and the only clothes he had on were a singlet and socks. Altogether he presented a wild and unusual appearance. With some difficulty he was restored to consciousness, and informed his rescuers that the vessel ran on the coast on Saturday night. There were 26 people on board. He and another man swam ashore for assistance, but his companion was drowned. The barque only possessed one boat, and that was not seaworthy. The party immediately went in search of the wreck, and found the vessel 200 yds from the shore. The crew were ranged along the deck with lifebelts on.

The life saving apparatus reached the Fiji this morning. Fifteen of the crew landed safely, but 12 were drowned. The ship broke up within 10 minutes after Captain Vickers got on shore. Among those drowned are Brisbane (the first officer), Lardman (the third officer), and Parter (an apprentice). The rest are seamen, whose names have not been obtained. One man named Wilkinson swam back to the wreck to assist his mate and died of exhaustion on feooxd.

tit-11 • , September 8. Wilkinson, who was drowned at the wreck of the Fiji, did not belong to the vessel, as was first reported, but was a local resident assisting in the rescue work. Much valuable time in getting the life-

saving apparatus to the scene of the wreck was lost through telegraphic interruption. Full details of the disaster have not yet been received.

The following is the correct list of those drowned on board the barque Fiji : — Bridgman, first officer ; Laedman, third officer ; Petersen, Sanderberg, Sattean, Frederickcon, Caskland, Foster, seamen. The cook and steward's names are unknown, and Wilkinson is a selector.

The Captain states that the wind veered and he had to tack, but the ship missed stays and went ashore. Attempts were made to launch the boats, but they were smashed instantly. One boat tried to take a line ashore, but was capsized, and the crew with difficulty got back to the ship. When the rocket apparatus arrived it was found the only line provided was a light one, but the crew resolved to trust to this slender support and swim through the surf. Only fifteen reached the shore in safety. The rest were drowned. Captain Vickers was the last man to leave the vessel, and half an hour afterwards she was completely broken up.

Every effort was made to save life by the people on shore. While the sailors were battling in the water several men stripped to the waist with life lines round them and rushed into the breakers to endeavour to bring some of the exhausted men into safe quarters. Not once but several times did these brave fellows risk their lives in this way. Deserving of mention above all was Arthur Wilkinson, who died like a brave man on Sunday afternoon. One of the crew threw himself off the ship into the sea in an endeavour to swim ashore, but was swept back again and again by the back wash until he seemed thoroughly exhausted. Wilkinson plunged into the sea to assist the drowning man. They kept together for some time, but were apparently lost beyond hope when ropes from the ship reached them, and they were dragged aboard. Wilkinson was thoroughly exhausted, and expired in a few moments, but the other man recovered.