Identity of the Vessel.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12579, 28 September 1908, Page 5

Identity of the Vessel.

The Survivors' Story,

. . WJNCESTON, September 28. The vessel lost off Cape Portland was the lioch Finlas; bound from Port Pirie (South Australia) to Callao (Peru).

Residents at the Cape state that, about 9.30 on Saturday morning, the barque was seen coming from the direction of Boobyalla Bay. She struck a reef, and within half, an hour had disappeared. On Friday, a fierce north-west gale had raged, and running as the vessel wae at the time, the bottom must have iieen torn out of her. •

A close search was made for survivors along the coast, and late last night word came that a boat had landed between Cape Naturalist and Eddystonc Point.

Few particulars are available. The crew were all foreigners, and numbered 24. Four boats were launched, but all were stove in. Nine men clung to the wreckage. The captain and Ihe mate stood by the ship. The last words of the, captain were, "Don't bustle boys; don't hurry." A boat with four men landed about midnight on Saturday. They tramped to Grove's residence, about eight miles, reaching it at 4.30 in the morning. The survivors state that one of their comrades was seen clinging to a dinghy, and if saved would be found on' Poster Island.

The second mate went ont of his mind, singing hymns and snatches of songs. He then jumped overboard, and when last seen was drifting seaward with his lifebelt tied round hia neck. The rescued men are Scandanavians.