PERILS OF THE SEA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2929, 4 May 1910, Page 30

PERILS OF THE SEA.

WRECK OF THE MALEKULA. BRISBANE, April 28. The inquiry into the wreck of the Malekula has begun. The captain attributed her stranding to the chronometer being inaccurate and to the bad steering of the native crew. The Marine Boai'd decided to place on record the splendid behaviour of the captain in bringing the Malekuk.'s boat across from Bampton Island. April 29. The Court found that the Malekula was lost through the chronometer placing her off her true course and through bad steering. It exonerated the captain of all blame, and placed on record an appreciation of his intrepidity and skill in the navigation of a small boat over 700 miles of coral sea. LOST FOR THREE MONTHS. Captain M'Phail, Messrs Dobson (mate) and Shapland (chief engineer), of the sailing vessel Malakuk, arrived at Lucinda Point (Queensland) recently, after a prolonged vovatre in an.open 20ft whaleboat. The Malakula, registered at 120 tons, left on the return journey on December 31 from Solomon Islands bound for Sydney, and struck the Brampton Reef, in the. South-west Pacific, at about 7 p.m. on January 9. Next morning the boats were put out and anchored. Tire occupants waited for high tide to try and heave her off. They were successful, but the ropes broke, and the ship was blown back. In the meantime the cargo was thrown overboard. The ship made water during the night, and the pumps were

unable to cope with the inflow. They gave up all hopes of saving her, and started loading provisions on a. sandy island, 10 miles away, which took a month to accomplish. The crew and the others lived on turtle, fish, etc., saving the other provisions for their intended voyage. On April 14 the start was made for the Queensland coast by the above-named three officers, their boat leaking- badly, necessitating constant bailing. They experienced a very rough passage. The engineer (Mr Shapknd) said that on the night of the accident it was very dark, and there were no indications of 'land in the vicinity. At 7.20 p.m. the ship went aground with a heavy bump. They could sec nothing ahead, and the ship did not appear to be making water. Next day, however, the water gamed steadilv on the pumps, notwithstanding the efforts of the crew. In two days the vessel was half full of water. It was then decided to abandon her, and all the stores were removed to the island in two boats. On February 27. after the crew had been on the island over six weeks, a steamer was sighted. Great fires were lit to attract attention, but the steamer was at too great a distance, and drew out of sight, to the great disappointment of the stranded men. There was no water on the island, and efforts made to obtain water by sinking wells were fruitless, coral being struck at a depth of 6ft, _ On April 11 Captain M'Phail determined to attempt to reach the mainland. Both boats had been stove, in in k.ndmg operations, but one was broken to repair toe other. Notwithstanding their best cttorts at repairs the boat leaked continuously during the voyage, ronsjh weather beinj? experienced almost. throughout. ine party was practically without sleco- during the journey.

WRECK OF THE SATARA. SYDNEY, April 28. At the marine inquiry regarding the loss of the Satara, Captain Hugill stated that, after the vessel struck, he took bearings, which put the vessel .about a quarter of a mile north-east of the Edith Break. Mr Binstead, pilot, stated that he had taken large vessels through the inner passage many times. His object in doing this was to get out of the southern current and to gain about five miles in the run between Newcastle and the Queensland coast. Shortly before she struck the ship was beading between Peak Rock and the Seal Rock. Tf she had struck Edith Break, Peak Rock would have been straight ahead, but instead of that it was considerably on the port bow. He was satisfied that he was clear of the Edith Break. He admitted that his pilot's license did not authorise him to take charge of vessels outside of Queensland waters, but it had been customary for the Torres Straits pilots to take charge of ships before getting to their own waters, to ascertain the compass deviations, and discover how the vessels would act. The captain of a small coasting steamer

said he knew of a submerged uncharted rock which was surrounded' by deep water, and which was eastward of the Edith Break. The court found that the loss of the Satara was caused by the wrongful act of Captail Hugill in allowing a course to be set-which caused her to strike the Edith Break, and it called on him, to show cause why his certificate should not be dealt with. NEW YORK, April 27. An unconfirmed report from Newfoundland advises the loss of the Bowring Company's sealer Aurora, with 187 lives.