FOUNDERING OF A SHIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2295, 24 February 1898, Page 13

FOUNDERING OF A SHIP.

Sydnet, February 17. The ship Atacama, which left Newcastle on January 29 for San Diego, foundered yesterday we«k. Tne vessel sprang a leak, and after working the pumps for three days the crew abandoned her and took to the boats. This was a task of great difficulty, owing to the heavy sea that was running. The provisions in the boats were not too plentiful. Stormy weather came on and the boats separated. The captain's boat capsized, and the five occupants were thrown into the water. Four got back to the keel, but the fifth (a little lad named Allen, from Sydney, who was on hia first voyage) was drowned. He had been lyiDg in the boat; wrapped in a blanket and oilskins. Most of tbe provisions and water were lost, and the unfortunate men had not a drop to drink from Saturday till they were picked up to-day by the tug Leveret off Jervis Bay. The boatswain behaved with great gallantry, rescuing the captain several times when tbe latter was washed off the keel. The boat was subsequently righted, and the men got in. They were partly delirious when rescued. The steward, who was in a low condition, was admitted to the hospital. The survivors' names are : — Captain

Spraifcr, Boatswain Fiqaars, Seaman Pints. Steward Skinner. It is feared that the other two boats, in charge of the first and second officers respectively, containing 12 altogether, are lost. The Government have despatched a steamer to search. The captain of the Atacama is well known In the New Zealand trade, having formerly been in command of the barquendne Eiver Hunter. A second search steamer has been despatched from Newcastle. February 18. There are hopes that the Atacama's missing boats will be picked up by vessels bound for New Zsaland or towards Bass Strait. A water-logged boat was seen last night near Kiama, supposed to be the one from which the captaiD's party were rescued, A remarkable etatement, verified by other members of the family, is made by Captain Spraitt's daughter. She dreamed that she saw her father's vessel sink. She described the taking to the boats and other details. The time of the dream corresponded with the actual sinking of the vessel. February 21. The tug has returned to Newcastle unsuccessful in her search for the Atacama's boats. A vessel passed Wollongong last night with a boat in tow supposed to resemble one of the Atacama's boats. The Atacama was a wooden ship of lE9B tons gross. She waa built in 1875 at Alblasserdam, and her dimensions were ; — Length, 194 sft ; breadth, 40ft ; depth, 25-lft.