WRECK OF A SHIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2545, 24 December 1902, Page 15

WRECK OF A SHIP.

THE INVERLOCHY STRIKES A REEF. MELBOURNE, December 19. The ship Inverlochy, bound from Liverpool to Melbourne, was wrecked 20 miles west of Barwon Heads. Her crew of 24 were landed' safely in the boats. The Inverlochy had a general cargo consigned to Messrs Gibbs, Bright, and Co. The wreck occurred last night. The chief officer's boat, with 11 aboard, landed after a perilous experience. No details are yet available. The Inverlochy struck ■ Hereford Reef 12 miles from Lome and three miles off Isore. She is a complete wreck. The j insurances are unknown. At the time of the wreck of the Inverlochy there was a moderate leading I wind. The mate in charge of the watch | tried to 'bout ship, but she missed stays | and backed on the reef. The sea caught i her and threw her broadside on to the i ! rocks. The water at the time was fairly smooth, but a big swell rose, and caused trouble in getting out the boats, the ' vessel rocking from side to side. The poop fittings were cast about on deck, and the mast swayed, straining to the utmost. Fearing that it would fall, the crew took to the boats. They only got away with what they stood up in, and had to keep dead before the wind to , avoid shipping heavy seas. It took them I

Ifrom 11 p.m. till 7 the next morning to effect a landing -on., the coast.' ' The Inverlochy's cargo was ' chiefly consigned to Melhourne", and wag valued -at from £30,000 to £35,000. ' The insurances are mostly in colonial offices, and amount to from £20,000 to £25,000.