A BARQUE ABANDONED

Otago Witness, Issue 2782, 10 July 1907, Page 34

A BARQUE ABANDONED

DEATH OF THE CAPTAIN AND HIS WIFE.

AUCKLAND, July 6. .

A private cable reports that the Norwegian barque Viking was abandoned, and it also reports the death of Captain Harold C. Pettersen and hie wife. They were married just before lea\ing Auckland for New York on May 2.

Mrs Pettereen was a daughter of Mr J. D. Stewart, manager of the Kauri Timber Company's mill at Hokianga.

Nothing is stated as to the fate of the remainder of the vessel's crew. The crew were: — N. Clansen, first mate; N. Cartinscn, second mate; J. Johansen, cook and steward; T. Ormundsen, carpenter; S. Arnsen, sailmaker; and M. K. Linden, A. Kittelien, Holm O. Lundholm, G. Green, D. G. Monro, J. Owens, V. A. M'Donald, seamen.

The Viking left Auckland with a cargo of the value of £45,000. It consisted of 7205 cases and 31 sacks of kauri gum, and 83 packages of merchandise. The bulk of tho gum was shipped by Messrs L. C. Gi'lespie and Sons, who chartered the vessel. Their quota totalled 5955 cases, the estimated value of which was £33,000. The shipment was fully insured in a New York Office. Messrs G. V. S. Patterson and Co. shipped 1094 ea=e3 of kauri gum. Messrs S. Wmterbonne and Co. shipped the balance of tbe gum (156 cases and 31 sadks), of a total value of about £150t), and their risk ie also covered by insurance. Messrs Sharland and Co. have 18 cases of drugs on board, and Messrs J. J. Craig (Ltd.) 64 packages of machinery.

The Viking was built at Grimstad some three or four years ago, and was engaged in the timber trade between Kaipara and Hokianga and South Australia. She then went to Europe, and came to Auckland, via South Africa, loading here for New York.

"While ;n Auckland Captain Pettersen is stated to have valued the Viking, in which ho was a part owner, at about £4000.

It is believed that she was uninsured. Messrs Gillespie and Sons believe that she i 3 the first gum ship that has been wrecked or met with any seriou6 accident. Tho barque was owned by the Pettersen line, of Arendal, of which firm Captain Pettereen was a partner.

Owing to the amount of land changing hands, solicitor* and auetirneers are having an exceptionally busy and profitable time. Lights are to be seen burning in lawyers' offices till well into the night.— El t ham Arfltua-