WRECK OF THE ENGLISH BARQUE CROSBY AT FANNING ISLAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1479, 18 June 1879, Page 2

WRECK OF THE ENGLISH BARQUE CROSBY AT FANNING ISLAND.

(Auckland Herald, Juno 5.) Thc 8.11. s.s. Australia, wliich arrived m port yesterday from San Francisco and Honolulu, brought from the latter port Mr Bayly, (chief officer) nnd nine of the crow of tho JEnglish iron barque Crosby, which wus wrecked nt Fanning Island on April 14th. The intelligence is interesting to our readers, inasmuch ns a couple of vessels havo left Auckland witliin the last month for thc island, which is one of tho Marshall Group, situated 3dcg. north of tho Equator. Ilitherto the island has been littlo known to English vessels, but recently several large craft hnvo been despntched there to load guano for England, a heavj' deposit of this valuable manure having been discovered. Tho iron burquo Crosby, 914 tons, Captain Buchanan, was on her fi,rst voyage, having been built at Sunderland m 1878, and owned by Messrs John Haj- and Co., of Liverpool. She left the old countiy with a geneml cargo of merchandise for Shnnghni, which wns discharged m good condition. Orders were then received to proceed to Fanning Island, where the wreck o?currcd, und to Mr Bayly, late chief officer, we are indebted for the followiug report. Mi- Bayly, wo may state, on nrrival here j-estcrday, was afc once engaged to act as first mate on board the barque Tamaya, now discharging m this port. The iron barque Crosbj- sailed from Shanghai to Fnnning Islnnd on Marcli 15th, and experienced strong westerly and fair trades until making the N.E. of the island, afc 3 n.m. on the 14th of April. The weather at this timo was fine, wifch a strong current setting S.W., or on to the island. The wind falling light, the vessel began to drift with the current towards tho land, and the master seeing this, attempted to'staj- thc barque, and finding she would not stay, tried to wenr her. This nlso proved futile, and she went ashore on tho reef that encircles the island. The vessel went broadside on, nnd commenced to bump violently, f-ignals of distress were at once shown, aud boats made ready for lowering, bufc no response m the shape of assistance came from the shore. At six a.m. dajlight began to break, und brought with it a fresh northerly breeze and a heavy surf, the vessel gradually setting to port, exposing the deck to tho sea. The chief officer had been despatched on shore with a bout's crew, convejing n grapnel and stout line, m order to save the remainder of the crew m case of accidents to the boats. The latter having been filled with such stores nnd effects as could be procured, were hauled ashore by noon. In the meantime Mr Bayly had gone inland to procure help, bufc finding none, returned to the beach nbout 1 p.m., and was haided off to the ship m one of the lifeboats, and reported to Captain Buchanan that no assistance was available as no habitations could be seen. The ship was then full of water, her bottom apparentlj- out, and tho sea breaking completely over her. Tho captain and chief officer decided to leave the barque, as nothing furtlier cotdd bo done, ns she wns breaking up amidships. At 2 p.m., tho officers and the remainder of the crew left the Crosby, and were hauled ashoro tlirough the surf by those on shore. As it wns raining hard, a tent was pitched on tho- beach, to shelter tho crew and stores ; and a few hours afterwards Captain Buchnnn and ono of the crew started for Whaleman's Bay, where the guano settlement is located. At 8 p.m. those on the beach heard a loud crash, and nexfc morning (15th), it was seen thafc tho fore and mainmasts had fallen to seaward. Afc 2 p.m. the same day, Captain Buchanan returned from the settlement with Mr Grigg, the owner pf the island, the wreck of the Crosby having also been notified to Captain Mann, the manager of the guano deposit, and Captain Hadwin of tho English barquo Wigton. These two gontlomcn shortly afterwards arrived with 35 natives, hut they were unablo that day to board thc stranded vessel, as tho surf was breaking heavily on tho reef. On tho 16th several natives got on bonrd, and cut away tho inizen and top gaffsnils, but were unable to save them. Seeing that nothing further Could bo done to save eithor tho vessel or any of the gear, tho wholo party returned to the encampment, and commenced to transport tho boats and stores across tho lagoon, uuder the direction of Captain Mann. A few days afterwards tlio ship and all her belongings were sold by public auction on account of whom it might concern, ahd realised the sum of 179 dollars 25 cents, tho purchasers being tho few whito settlers on the island. The officers and crew remained at Whaleman's Bay settlement, when, on May 4tb, the schooner Vivid, Captain English, from Honolulu, arrived with stores. Sho sailed on the return voyage two days afterwards, with the Crosby's crew, and nrrived at Honolulu on the 15th, when they were taken charge of by tho British Consul. A Naval Court; of Inquiry was subsequently held, and resulted m acquitting tho officers of all blnmo. faptniri Buchanan and some of tho crew remained m Honolulu, bufc Mr Bayly and nine men camo on to Auckland. Several of tho shipwrecked crew are horc, whilo others have proceeded to Sj*dney . Tho Crosby had a crew of eighteen, all told, tho whole of whom escaped withoul anj- injury, bufc they lost most of their personal effects.

[Br Telegbaph.]