PREVIOUS DISASTERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2076, 7 December 1893, Page 35

PREVIOUS DISASTERS.

There is nothing to show how many unfortunate beings have lost their lives on the Auckland and other islands in that great waste of waters south of New Zealand. The following, however, are the principal casualties known : —

January 3, lß6 l— Graf ton, from Sydney. Captain Musgrave and his crew of five made their way in a small boat to Stewart Island, arriving on July 27, 1865.

May 10, 1864— Minerva, of Leith. Four persona saved from wreck, and rescued on March 25, 1885.

May I*s, 1861— Invercauld, from Melbourne. There was a total of 25 crew and passengers on board, six of whom were lost at the time of the wreck. Sixteen of the survivors were starved to death, and three were rescued on May 10, 1865. May 13, 1866- General Grant, from Melbourne, with a total of S3 passengers and crew. Sixtyeight were lost at the time of the wreck, one was starved to death, -four were afterwards drowned, and the remaining 10 were rescued on November 21, 1867.

March 12, 18S7— Derry Castle, from Geelong. The total of the crew and passengers was 23, of whom 15 were lost at the time of the wreck, and eight were rescued on August 19, ISB7, by the Awarua.

March 19, 1891— Compadre, barque, ran ashore, having previously taken fire. Peter Nelson, a seaman, was lost in the bush and starved to death ; and 15 survivors were rescued by tho Janet Ramsay on June 30, 1891.

It will be noticed that in 1865 three parties of castaways were on the Auckland Islands witheut any knowledge of each other's existence. A small crafb named the Daphne, which went in search of the gold on board the General Grant, was also lost, with six persons onboard; and the sad fate of the s.s. Kakanui, nearly three years ago, will be fresh in the memory of our readers.