LOSS OF A FRENCH VESSEL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3489, 11 June 1884, Page 3

LOSS OF A FRENCH VESSEL.

[By Telegraph'.]

Auckland, June 10.

The Hchoonop Torea, from Raratonga, reports the French barque Bonne Fille, from Caledonia to Tahiti, waterlogged and abandoned at sea in latitude 25 S. longtitude 162 west. The Captain, a lady passenger and ten of the crew arrived at Earatonga in the boats after being six days on the water. One boat containing a portion of the crew, was missing. Later. The following are farther particulars of the loss of the French barque 150 miles off Raratonga: —It appears the barque Bonne Fille left France for New Caledonia with a valuable cargo of wines, stores, etc., and after an uneventful passage reached her destination in safety. After landing a part of her cargo at that place, a start was made with the balance for Tahiti, where she was to complete her discharge and load back for France. All went well with the vessel until 200 miles off Earatonga when heavy weather was fallen in with, which increased in violence until a strong gale was blowing, with high confused seas, during which the vessel was straining herself very much. For two days the gale continued, and upon the last day it was found she was making water rapidly, and as night came round the leak was increasing. All hands were ordered to the pumps, while the different boats were got ready and provisioned for any emergency. After some hours of hard work it was found the leak was gaining, and after a short consultation with bis officers, the captain decided, for the better safety of all on board, to abandon the ship and take to the boats. This was speedily done on the 21st. Two of these boats managed to reach Earatonga. They contained the master of the vessel and his wife and ten of the crew, one other boat being at that time missing, it having been lost sight of the second night after leaving the abandoned barque. It was not until four days after this that the two boats mentioned managed to reach Raratonga. Little apprehension was feared at Earatonga for the other boat, and it was confidently expected that it had been able to reach one of the neighboring islands, as it was a staunch boat and under the charge of an able officer. Three days after the arrival of the two boats named, the brigantine Oamaru reached Raratonga. Her master reported the barque was seen by them on the 18th, and she was then almost full of water and apparently on the point of foundering. Particulars as to her insurance are unknown. The captain and his crew intended to proceed on to Tahiti, and thence on home to France by the first opportunity.