PERILS OF THE SEA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2949, 21 September 1910, Page 27

PERILS OF THE SEA.

SHIP CARNARVON BAY WRECKED.

MELBOURNE, September 18.

The full-rigged ship Carnarvon Bay (r? 5 tons), bound from Liverpool' to Sydney, struck a reef south-east of Kings Island at 6.30 on Thursday night, during a heavy gale. The steamer Tarcooia arrived to-day bringing the captain and second and third mates, also 13 of the crew of the wrecked vessel. The men were picked up in an open boat on Saturday afternoon off Cape Liptrap. The second boat, containing the first mate, 13 of the crew, and a passenger is still missing. The Carnarvon Bay was 87 days out. She experienced a succession of heavy weather long before she approached the Australian coast.

On Thursday evening, when driving before a gale, she suddenly brought up with a tremendous crash. The vessel then began bumping heavily amidships, and as the masts showed signs of falling Captain Griffiths ordered two boats to be launched. This was done with much diffipulty, owing to the heavy sea, the captain, first, second, and third officers remaining till the last. Some difficulty was experienced in getting the boats put back to take them off, the men in the boats fearing that the masts would fall upon them. Eventually all were got safely into the boats. The captain decided to make for Launceston; he ga-ra the first mate's boat their instructions, but, owing to the heavy sea and the darkness, the boats separated in a few minutes. The mate's boat was not again seen.

Heavy weather drove the captain's boat towards the Victorian coast, which he was trying to make. When picked up the men wsre in a very exhausted condition, through fighting against the stormy conditions. The boat was partially filled with water, and the supply of food wos almost expended, enly naif a sardine apiece remaining. September 19.

There is no news so far of the Carnarvon Bay's missing boat. Steamers started yesterday to search for it. It is feared that the Carnarvon Bay is a total wreck. When the crew left ehe was head fast on a rock, bumping heavily, and tearing her bottom. She carried 4000 tons of general cargo for Sydney. The captain believes that the rock is uncharted. •She ran into tempestuous weather on September 1, which smashed her cabin doors, swept the decks, and lid considerable damage. This continued i!l she struck. The captain experienced ifiiculty in getting his bearings, but supposed he was a mile and a-half from land at the time of grounding.

When the boats were launched 22 clambered into the starboard boat, while only seven were in the port boat. The latter refused to return for some time, for fear of being crushed by the masts. When she did obey the captain's orders, some of the starboard boat's crew were transferred, leaving 17 in the captain's boat. Otherwise, everyone behaved splendidly. The captain was specially cool.

These in the boats had the scantiest of clothing, and only a small supply of food and water and a bottle or two of spirits. From the time of leaving the ship till the Tarcoola rescued them thev were

driven about on high-cross seas, and were kept constantly baling. They suffered severely from cold and hunger, some men being so exhausted that they lay sleeping in six inches of water in the bottom of the boat.

Two steamers passed, but did not notice the distress signals. A pair of trousers were hoisted to the masthead, and this

brought the Tarcoola to their assistance. (Received September 20, at 0.40 a.m.) The search for the Carnarvon Bay's boat is being continued.