Off Cape Otway.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 45, 15 June 1914, Page 5

Off Cape Otway.

THE WRECK OF A WHALER CREW’S TRYING EXPERIENCE. [By Electric telegraph—Copyright; [UNITED PR.r«* ASSOCIATION. 1 Sydney, June 13. The whaler Campbell, en route to join the Westralian whaling fleet, is ashore on Corsaiif Reef, Port Nepean. The crew landed safely. The vessel is a total wreck. DETAILS OF THE OCCURRENCE. (Received 8.40 a.m.) Melbourne, Jupne 15. The Campbell’s machinery broke down off Cape Otway, while the Captain was attempting to enter Port Phillip for repairs at 11 o’clock at night without a pilot. The vessel was carried on to the reef on a strong ebb tide.

Five of the crew of nine launched a boat, which was damaged in getting afloat, but they plugged the hole with their caps. The boat was taken out to sea on a 'strong tide. They lost the oars, but improvised other oars. After battling for several hours in the darkness, and when the tide turned, they succeeded in reaching Queenscliffs in an exhausted condition, and reported the disaster. In the meantime, the remaining four members of the crew, including the captain, /left the Campbell in another boat, which the tug picked up.

The Campbell, which is regarded as a total loss, is valued at £IB,OOO, which w*as covered by insurance in Norway.