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Star (Christchurch), Issue 146, 30 October 1868, Page 2

TWO LIVES LOST.

It is with great regret that we have to record the total loss of the above vessel near the South Head of Flea Bay, under circumatances of the most harrowing nature. The Grest left Akaroa between 12 and 1 a.m. on the 27th inst., having on board William Ellis, Master ; J. Barker and E. Cunningham, seamen; and Mr W. Belcher, of Kaiapoi,a passenger ; she was bou-'d to Flaxbourn, with a cargo of telegraph poles. All went well until about 5 a.m., when the master told the men to go below, and himself took charge of the vessel, Mr Belcher also being below. The first intimation of the disaster received by tbose below was the striking of the vessel, upon which they rushed upon deck and launched the dingy, in wliich J. Barker succeeded in getting away from the wreck, leaving the others on the deck. After some difficulty, he reached Flea Bay about 7 a.m., and gave information ef the wreck, and then immediately started for Akaroa to obtain assistance. Barker arrived in Akaroa between 9 and 10 a.m., and immediately a volunteer crew was obtained, and started with Barker to render assistance. About two hours after this James Rhodes arrived in Akaroa from the Bay, with a letter for our correspondent, informing him of the wreck, and also that the writer, George Noonan, with James Rhodes had succeeded in saving Edward Cunningham, but were unable to render any assistance to the other unfortunates from the perilous position in which the wreck was placed. When rescued Cunningham was naked, and badly cut about hb head and limbs. He states that after Barker had left he stopped fdr some time on the wreck with the others, the wreck being drifting into a cove ; that, finding there was no chance of being saved from the wreck, he resolved to swim for it; that he told the others of his intention, and asked them to do the same. Mr Belcher said ho was unable to swim, and Ellis refused to leave him ; he (Cunningham) then jumped from the jibhooni cud, and managed to reach a rock at sonic distance from the wreck, but was washed from there, and with great difficulty reached the dingy which saved him. The boat which had left Akaroa arrived at the scene of the disaster in about two hours after leaving. They found that the wreck, •r rather that portion which remained of it, was driven into a cave in the face of a precipitous cliff. They saw the two survivors in the cave, but were unable to reach them owing to a reef on which the sea was continually breaking, and the quantity of kelp round aud about the place, frustrating all their endeavours to reach the shipwrecked men. Two of the crew of the boat, Messrs ■Scheukel and Holt, narrowly escaped drowning, the dingy capsizing with them. The crew described the cries of the poor men as heart-rending, especially when they saw that all endeavours to extricate them were fruitless. After the upset of the dingy, Ellis was soen waving his hands us if to warn others that it was hopeless trying to reach them. The boat returned to Akaroa about 1 p.m., and immediately ropes, life buoys, provisions, and hlankets were obtained, whilst willing volunteers proffered their services to go and do their utmost to save the sufferers. Two whaleboats and a dingy started, taking with them (_iu addition to the articles thought necessary), an extra man who is well known as an expert and daring swimmer. Unfortunately none of the appliances taken or means used availed to save the men, as the boats had to return to Akaroa without being able to rescue the unfortunates. The place where the men are is described as a large cove in a precipitous cliff, some 400 feet in height, the top of the cliff overhanging the bottom considerably, so that it is impossible to drop a rope or anything from the land which would reach the shipwrecked men below, the boats being able to get as far in uuder the cliff as a rope from the top would reach. A quantity of scantliug was lashed together, by means of which the boat's crew managed to get a line to the men, but unfortunately the action of the sea caused it to get foul, so that although the poor fellows got hold of the rope, it was useless to them, and they in their prostrate and weak state were unable to do anything towards clearing the line. Directly in front of the cave are. fearful rocks, which at low water are partially dry, but at high water

are covered. The situation of the cave is such, that there is a continual heavy break around it, the sea meeting at different points. And at high water the breakers are so terrific that the entrance to the cave is not distinguishable for minutes together. It was seen by the boat's crew that the men had managed to sling some ropes from the roof of the cave, and fastened some wood to them, on which they sat, to prevent themselves from being washed away. The feelings of the crews on finding all their endeavours to save the men fruitless can be imagined, knowing as we do that they tried every means in their power, and everything they could devise for that purpose. Another party started from Akaroa about 2 o'clock yesterday morning, the 29th, with fresh appliances and means, but we are grieved to say that on reaching the scene of the wreck not a sign of the men was to be seen ; the sea had risen during the night, and had no doubt dashed the sufferers to pieces The boats returned just as the mail was leaving Akaroa. It is needless to say that this lamentable and heart-rending accident has cast a gloom over Akaroa, both the men being well known and greatly respected in that town.