HURRICANE IN TONGA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4793, 10 September 1883, Page 4

HURRICANE IN TONGA.

(N. Z. Herald, Sept. 8.) Shortly after two o'olook on Saturday last the sohooner Cygnet oame to an anchor to the westward of the Baiiway Wharf, and from the large number of passengers to be seen on board it was at once conjeotured that something unusual had occurred. Proceeding alongside, the first person we met was Captain Irving of tho Auokland whaling barque Especulador, who in a few words informed us of the oause of his visit to Auokland so unexpectedly, and it was evident from the manner in whioh the worthy captain described the oiroumstanoes that he felt deeply the loss of his barque. From a more detailed aooount of the cause that led to the loss of the Especulador we learn that a fierce hurricane — which in no way gave any indication of itß approach — passed over tbe group, and was felt with great force at Le f uka, the place where the barque went ashore. The vessel is a total wreck, having her back broken, it is supposed by ' striking on a reef whilst drifting ashore. At the same time that the Especulador went aßhore several other vesiels— -the schooners Matalalo, Lefuka, Fusiabala, Cygnet ond ether small craft— also met a similar fate, but all excepting the whaling barquo were got off again four days afterwards with more or lees damage. The Cygnet escaped with only the loss of her rudder. The small damage done to these vessels may be attributed to the faot that the vessels went ashore on the top of high water. Had it been ebb tide at the time nothing could havo saved tbem from total destruction. Taking up the acoounts furnished to us by Captains Irving and Boss, we found that the hurricane ooourred on Bunday, August 12 last, and that at two a.m. the next morning the Cygnet parted hor cables, and led the way on to the beach, sho being closely followed by the other vessels, and at about three o'olook the Especulador parted her cables, and also went ashore. At this time the wind was blowing with fearful violence, with a mountainous tea running, which was making clean breaches over the barque. Fortunately no lives were lost, although Captain Irving hai a very narrow escape. He speaks most highly of tho courage of his crew, the best he has yet had upon any of his many whaling voyage 1 . We might here remark that he desires us to expross his thanks on his own and orew's behalf for the kind treatment they received at the bands of Captain Boas and the crew of the Cygnet. The Especulador was insured, the hull for £15C0 in the South British, and thoro was also an open policy for £1600 on the oargo in the Oolonial Insuranoe Oflice. Both offices, howover, have re-insured the larger portion of their risks. At tbe time the Especulador went ashore she had obtained Boras 12£ (una of oil, and Oaptain Irving waa beginning to congratulate himself upon his success whon tho catastrophe overtook him. To Auckland the blow is a serious one, as thero is little doubt that with the success of this venture on the part of Meaßrs Henderson and Maofarlane, the ownoro of the vessel, we should have seen soon a large fleet Bailing out of this port bound upon similor ventures. It iB to be hoped, however, that thiß present illluck will not have any dampening effect upon the energies of onr morohants, but, on the oont.-ary, will stimulate them to obtaining an even better veßeel than tho Especulador, arid

to Bending out many other vessels to piok up some of tbe large crumbs that are knooking about these seas in the shape of whales. The hull and oargo were sold by Mr Buohanan, and realised the sum of 676 dols. It is believed that the greater portion of the oil will be recovered ; but so far as the vesse is oonoerned, there oan be little hope of saving anything from her.