FURTHER DETAILS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12377, 10 February 1911, Page 5

FURTHER DETAILS.

INVERCARGILL, this day. The crew of the Jessie Niccoll was as follows: —■ Captain J. Holmes, Auckland, aged 45. First mate, John Paterson. Tapanui, aged 66. Second mate, Alfred. Corps, Napier. A.B.'s: A. Tifoot, Bluff; Augusta Laudos (a Frenchman), and Pat G«l---lagher, Invercargill. Cook, T. Mercer, Barbadoes, aged 60. Tbe vessel also carried ten men engaged under contract to Mr Hatch to work on the Macquaries till March of next year. THE CALL OF THE SEA. Captain Holmes was well known on the New Zealand coast, having been at different times mate of the Ganymede and master of the brigantine Sarah and Mary. Patterson had in his younger days followed the sea, but 30 years ago he retired with a mate's certificate, ano engaged in farming in the Tapanui district. The old life called to him again, and last August he accepted a position on the Jessie Niccoll. DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL. The Jessie Niccol was a wooden vessel of 93 tons net. and was built at Auckland in 1872. Mr Hatch acquired her five years ago, and she has been trading for him since between Macquarie Islands and Invercargill. In 1903, it may be remembered, she was in collision with the Rotomahana at Wellington, and was afterwards repaired. The long detention of the oil-eetters last year was ,due to the vessel being unable to make the islands when she went down for the marooned men. The vessel returned to the Bluff in 6uch a strained 'condition that the repairs cost Mr Hatch £400. Mr Hatch estimates his loss on the vessel alone at £750. THE MAiROONED MEN. Mr Hatch says he will take prompt steps to bring back the remaining men, chartering either the Huinui, the Hinemoa, or the Holmdale, of Wellington. The men on the island, he says, have! plenty of stores, and he has no anxiety on that score. Captain Gilbert, of the Ida M. Clark, offered to take the remainder of the men to Campbell Island, but they refused, saying that they were well, and had nlentv of nrovisions.