THE LOSS OF THE MALMEN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9641, 16 January 1903, Page 3

THE LOSS OF THE MALMEN.

HOW THE FIRE ORIGINATED. THE VOYAGE~LX THE MOATS. Further details regarding the abandonment of the biirque Malmen at sea on the 13th ult. show that the crew had been at tJ*e pumps for three days before leaving the vessel. The Malmen was makimr ■a little water when she left Tonga on the 3rd ult., but the position of the leak could not be located. Se.ven days after leaving it was found that the water was gaining rapidly, and that there were 30in of water m the hold. The pumps were set to work and were kept going, the watch on deck, consisting of five hands m the one watch and six m I hie other, taking spells at one pump, while at every eight, bells the other pump was put to work. There was no steam pump or donkey engine aboard, and though a windmill capable of lifting a. good quantity of water per minute was fitted there was no wind to work it. and the mem had to redy on the hand pumps dome. These proved quite unable to overtake thi? inflow, and the water gradually rose m the hold until when tlie ship* was ten days out there were 10ft of water m the hold. The crew were becoming exhausted by their labor, and as it was evident that the vessel was certain to sink before very long they went aft to the captain and requested him to abandon the ship while tliere was time. Tlie captain, who had previously refused to leave the ship, again demurred, but^ finally consented. The two boats, neither of which contained air tanks, were lowered and all the biscuits and beef on the ship, together with several barrels «f water, were placed aboard. A box containing about 501 b of biscuits was placed m each boat. Thinking that more provisions would-be required, the steward, Ulic Nelson, went to the store on tlie hull deck m order to get some flour. He carried a small hand lamp, which he placed on top of the flour tank, and had lifted the lid when the vessel gave a roll m the swell, with tlie result that the lamp was thrown, to the ground. It broke against the deckijijr, and set fire to a quantity of oakum stored m the lazarette. The other ship's stores, tar, rope, man.ila, etc., were m cliqse proximity and th'e fire quickly spread to these. The steward at once went on deck without obtaining any further provisions, and the boats pulled away from the side of the vessel. When they lost sight of her dense volumes of smoke were pouring out of the lazaertte aft, and 'it was evident that the vessel had not long to float. When abandoned the barque was about 750 miles to the southward of Tonga. The boats were both supplied with compasses, chronometers, and sextants, so that the.jr 'position each day was accurately known. The Kerinadecs were the nearest land, and a course was shaped for them, and there being no wind the boats had to take to the oare tlie first day. The second day there was a lighi wind, and sail was made, and on the third day Sunday Island was sighted. An allowance of three biscuits per day, two litres of Mater, and one 31b tin of beef to each boat was fixed on on leaving the barque, but a hearty meal mils indulged m as the Kermadecs were neared. The island was found to be uninhabited, however, and the waves were breaking all round, so no attempt was made to land there, the men being unaware of the food depot on the island. The short ration was then returned to, and it was decided to make for Tonga, as better weather was expected on that run Hum on the trip to Auckland. A biscuit and a-half, with a small quantity of beef, was eaten at 9.30 a.m. and a similar ration at 4 p.m. each day. The weather was very hot. and tlie men were badly sun-burned, but they did not suffer much either from thirst or from hunger, as they were not generally kept at hard work, the boats being under sail for the greater part of the time. In all, the men were pulling for about three days, but for the rest of the time they had favorable winds, and sailed on a north-westerly course until Tonga M*as reached, ten days after the Mahnm was abandoned. One night a strong wind was experienced, and a good deal of water was shipped, but by .skilful seamanship and baling the boats were ke.pt clear of water, canvas coverings over both ends assisting to keep the water out- The boats leaked slightly all the way, and were baled out about every 2£ hours. One of the crew, an A.B. named Wilhelm. A,sko, while getting np to permit the steersman lo see the compass. lost his balance and fell overboard. He was m the water about five minutes, and when picked up a large shark was close upon him. Sharks followed tlie boats every day, several being seen at a tune. The men had to lie m a very cramped position m. tlie boat, and could get very little* sleep. They put all their clothes aboard before leaving the vessel, but most of them were spoiled by the salt water, and some of the men threw their kits overboard. When Tonga, was sighted the. men consumed the remainder of the food aboard, but still had half a barrel of water m the boats when they landed. By shortening their rations they would have had enough food to have lasted for several days longer. They wesre supplied with food and sleeping accommodation at Tonga, where the boats, compasses, and chronometers were sold for a total of £54 15s.