Very Latest

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5023, 3 June 1889, Page 3

Very Latest

TOWN EDITION.

TOTAL WRECK OF THE 8. S. FIJIAN. ■» Run on a Reef, Looted By Natives. (Pbk Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Per Press association.) ! (Received 12.40 p.m., Juno 3rd.) Mydney, June 3. The steamer Fijian bound from Melbourne to New Hebrides struck on a reef at 4 a.m. on May 13th, off Tanna, one of the Harvey Group. The second officer was in charge at the time. The vessel struck with a tremendous crash, and the fore compartment filled immediately. The danger was unseen till the steamer was almost on it, the officer mistaking breakers on the reef for white water occasioned by an approaching squall. As the Fijian was beginning to settle down the captain ran her ashore on a sandy bottom. Three hundred armed natives were on the beach watching the movements of the steamer, and when the passengers landed they were at once surrounded, but suffered no harm. Next morning the natives looted the ship, but captain Feilding had thoughtfully taken the precaution of destroying all spirits on board. The Rev Mr Watt, Presbyterian Missionary, visited the wreck and told them that owing to thejblood-thirsty character of the natives he was unable to guarantee the lives of the castaways five minutes, but eventually he succeeded in •taking the passengers off, and also the Captain, who was in bad health, and conveying them to the mission station. It is believed the lives of the passengers were only saved through the attention of the natives being concentrated on plundering the vessel. The labour vessel Eliza and Mary sighted and stood by the wrecked steamer, and the Tenterdon,which arrived from Auckland, brought on the crew to Sydney. They speak in terms of approbation of the way in which the six passengers who wore on board behaved. They belonged to Suva and Melbourne. [ This is no doubt the same Fijian whioln under Mr 0. W. Turner’s flag, has so often visited Timaru. She was bought or chartered by the Union S.S. Co. a few months agor,]