WRECK AND LOSS OF LIFE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2252, 10 September 1891, Page 1

WRECK AND LOSS OF LIFE.

Melbourne, September 7.

The barque Fiji, from Hamburg, has been wrecked sixteen miles east of Poi’t Campbell, and 163 miles S.W. of Melbourne. A party of gentlemen who were walking along the coast in the vicinity yesterday, discovered a man lying in the scrub almost frozen stiff. He was torn and.bleeding, and the only clothes he had On were a singlet and socks. Altogether he presented a wild and unusual appearance. With some difficulty the man was restored to consciousness, and informed his rescuers that the vessel ran on the coast on Saturday night. There were twenty-six people on board. He and another man swam ashore for assistance, but his companion was drowned. The barque only possessed one boat, and that was not seaworthy. The party immediately went in search of the wreSi and found the vessel two hundred yards? from the shore. The crew were ranged along the deck with lifebelts on. At the spot where the Fiji is ashore the coast is very rough. It is about eight miles from where the Loch Ard was wrecked. The rescued sailor believed the vessel missed stays. She has 200 tons of dynamite on board. Later. ; Life-saving apparatus reached the barque Fiji this morning. Fifteen of the crew were landed safely, but twelve were drowned. The ship broke up within ten minutes after Captain Vickers got on shore.

Among those drowned are Brisbane, first officer; Lardman, third officer, and Porter, apprentice the rest are seamen, whose names have not been obtained. One man namedd Wilkinson swam back to the wreck to assist his mate and died of exhaustion on board.

Sept. 8,

The following is the correct list of those drowned on board the barque Fiji : Bridgman, first officer; Laedman, third Officer; Petersen, Sanderburg, Sattean, Frederickson, Caskland, Foster, seamen; the cook and steward, names unknown; and Wilkinson, a selector. The captain states the wind veered, and he had to tack, but the ship missed stays and went ashore. Attempts were made to launch the boats, but they were smashed instantly. One boat tried to take a line ashore, but was capsized, and the crew with difficulty got back to the ship. When the rocket apparatus arrived it was found the only line provided was a light one, but the crew resolved to trust to this slender support and swim through the surf. Only fifteen reached the shore in safety, the rest were drowned. Captain Yickers was the last man to leave the vessel, and half an hour afterwards it was completely broken up. Every effort was made to save life by. the people on shore. While the sailors were battling in the water several men, stripped to the waist, with life lines round them, rushed into the breakers and endeavored to bring some of the exhausted men into safe quarters. Not once, but several times, did the brave fellows risk their lives in this way. ; Deserving of mention above all was Arthur Wilkinson, who died like a brave man. On Sunday afternoon one of the crew threw himself off the ship into the sea in an endeavour to swim ashore, but was swept back again and again by the backwash until he seemed thoroughly exhausted. Wilkinson plunged into the sea to assist the drowning man. They kept together for some time, but were apparently lost beyond hope, when ropes from the ship reached them, and they were dragged aboare. Wilkinson was thoroughly exhausted, and expired in a few moments, but the other man recovered

LABOUR. London, Sept. 7. • The Trades Union Congress met at Newcastle to-day. A resolution was submitted to the effect that the Government, in consort with foreign executives, ought to arrange for a legal limit to eight hours; also demanding that an International Conference on the subject should be convoked. There is a great division of opinion among the delegates on the question thus raised. ! Sept. 8.

The Trades Union Congress only transacted formal business at yesterday’s meeting, Paris, Sept. 8.

John Burns, in an interview with a representative of the Gaulois, said Engrand was rapidly accepting Socialism. The European Governments dared not attempt to suppress the movement at the risk of being submerged by a general revolt.

True Economy. —To purchase Countess Tea for two shillings. Free from any excess of astringency.—[Advt.]