TOTAL LOSS OF THE BARQUE DASHING WAVE, AND SUFFERINGS OF THE CREW.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3118, 8 February 1871, Page 2

TOTAL LOSS OF THE BARQUE DASHING WAVE, AND SUFFERINGS OF THE CREW.

The hopes and fears that have naturally existed consequent on the unaccountable absence of the above-named vessel, have been eet at rest by the arrival of the barque Norman, with Captain Vandervord and a portion of his crew or. board, reporting the total wreck of his vessel. Sad as is the disaster, it is a great consolation to know that there has been no loss of life ; all hands were eared. Their sufferings from exposure in an open boat for thirty-one days, and traversing a distance of 1400 miles, with but scant subsistence, can be more readily imagined than described. They are now, however, all well. The following is a narrative of the loss: — The Dashing Wave sailed from Foo Chow on 29th July, with a cargo of teas, bound for Sydnep. All went well until the 31st Augu6£ v< The. weather was voryvjihtok, and it waa WoiwHig ; a heavy gale front;- the easlwar&f&lcended with violent squalls and a trenjehadtis sea. At half-past ten breakers yreref'Sen on the lee bow. The helm was immediately put down, and the ship in the act of staying, when, in coming round, her heel caught the reef, and she at once went on shore, the sea making a clean breach over her. Fearing the ship would go lo pieces every moment, a small quantity of flour and a case of wine ■was put in the boat, and the crew left for I lie island ; pulled round the lee aide, but couid not find any landing, and had to make the boat fast to the reef. The small boat was then partially repaired, and went back to the wreck to endeavor to get a compass and some water, but she could not get alongside, owing to the heavy sea, and the attempt was abandoned. The island afforded no food nor water, so it was determined to repair the boat as far as possible and stand to sea, in the hope of fulling in with BOrne vessel. For five days the crew were without any, water, a glass of wine being the daily allowance for each ; then came a heavy shower of rain and relieved them. "Without compass, and with only a blanket for a suil, the hapless men •?f 're drifted about for days, when khoy providentially reached Strong'B Island,

on the Ist October. Here they wore received most kindly by the r chief or king, who supplied them with everything the inland afforded ; tho boat was also more effectually repaired and rigged, and on the 18th October, food, consisting of nuts and yams, having been stowed on board, together with water and a compass, they put to eea, intending to try and reach the Kingsmill Group. The boat contained Captain Vandervord and five hands. On the 22nd October, finding the boat leaking badly, and the wind continuing from the E.S.E., they had to run back for Strong's Island, arriving on the 23rd. Therethey remained until the sth November, when tho schooner Oriti, Captain Bateson, arrived, and took them all on board, with tho exception of a boy named John Connell and Joseph Jackson, a seaman, whom Captain Bateson refused to take on account of insolence. The Oriti sailed from Strong's Island on the Bth November, arriving at Treacey's Island on the 18th December. Here one of the seamen, named Henry Williams, was landed. Left the island on the 19th, and arrived at Levuka on the 6th inst. Tho barque Norman being in port, and bound for Sydney, Captain Briee kindly offered them a passage. The Daßhing Wave was the property of Mr W. Andrews, of this city, and, together with her cargo, is heavily insured. Capt. Vandervord attributes the loss of his vessel to the erroneous manner in which the island is laid down in the charts. It is very low, and not easily seen even of a clear night.—" Sydney Morning Herald," Jan. 23.