SAD TALE OF THE SEA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2161, 25 July 1895, Page 57

SAD TALE OF THE SEA.

LOSS OF SEVEN LIVES.

The chip Argug arrived at Sydney on tie Ist insb. from Glasgow, minus seven cf the ship's company, who were drowsed during the voyage in heavy weather. Captain Laird reported that the vessel, after leaving Glasgow, had a fairly good run to the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope. When in southern latitudes she got among the ice, and with a hard gale &nd heavy sea the vessel was put under storm canvas. On Monday, May 27, the gale abated somewhat, although a heavy sea was still running.* Tho ship was then 40.40 S. and 42.10 E., and she was under lower topsails. The third m&te (Mr Kelly) having occasion to fix the whisker boom, took a couple of hands with him on" the forecastle head. While going through the work «everal seas washed over the vessel, and aa one great body of water poured over the ship the third officer was swept away in the surge. The chief officer, Mr W. Kelly, the cousin of the young officer, insisted on commanding the relieving crew, and speedily in their places in the port quarter boat were the chief officer, the steward, and four of the A.B.'s. The ship was hove-to, bat the scene was nevertheless a dreary and disheartening one for the few men, who well knew that they were sacrificing their lives for their shipmate. The seas swept past and occasionally over the vessel, and swiftly the little boat was lowered away, and 12 minutes after the first disaster had occurred the frail packet, with the six brave fellows on board, was swept away in the white swirl of the breaking waves. For a little time ifa was thought that the enterprise would be successful, »i the reacuiDg boat came back to leeward of the ship as the chief officer signalled to her to "wear ship." Captain Laird w«ce thip, and T&ile. t£n TOffiM WM performing taw

manoeuvre she shipped some heavy water, and naturally there was ample work for all haudfl, abort as they were with ooarly a whole watch away in the boat. The boat was last seen on the starboard quarter, and it was then thought that not only tho third officer had been savi d, but also that the valuable aignil-buoy had been picked up. The boat suddenly disappeared as the ship was coming round to the wind, and it is supposed that the little craft got broadside on to the lea and swamped with all hands. The greatest consternation prevailed on board the ship, whioh for nearly a day and a-half hovered over the spot, but without sign of boat or crew. An there was nothing else for it the vessel stood on her course. The names of the men drowned are :— W Kelly, chief officer ; — Kelly, third officer ; Duncan M'Lean, A.B. ; — Fiudlay, A B ; — Macdoriald, A.B ; John Robert Robertson, A.8. ; Peter Lindsay, steward.