LOSS OF THE BARQUE (original) (raw)

LOSS OF THE BARQUE "GRECIAN."

IT is our painful duty to announce the dis-

astrous intelligence of the stranding and

probable total wreck of the fine barque, of

518 tons, abovenamed, and late so ably and

successfully commanded by Captain Hyde.

The Grecian sailed from the Downs on the

15th June, and, having arrived in our waters,

anchored outside the Light-ship on Sunday

afternoon about 5 o'clock. It was blowing

with terrific force from the south-west at the

time, and although, as we are told, Captain

Hyde had two anchors out, one of 70 cwt. and

the other of 90 cwt., they both dragged until

the ship was driven up to the bar and

grounded. Gradually she heeled over and

came down on her broadside, so that at

4 o'clock on the following morning (yesterday)

the starboard gunwale was under water and

the sea breaking over the ship. There was

now no alternative but to take to the boats,

and, with one exception, all the passengers and

crew got clear of the ship. The lamented

exception is a Mr Leslie, who it is supposed

went below and could not get up in time

to join those who effected their escape

in the boats, as nothing was seen of him. It

is barely possible that he may have escaped,

but it is feared not. The Steam-tug went

down to the wreck yesterday morning with

Captain Lipson and several hands, and our

shipping reporter accompanied them. They

found the ill-fated ship on her beam ends with

her masts in the water. Our reporter and

others went over her, but found no traces of

any one on board. A quantity of luggage was

collected and brought away, and on passing

Torrens Island they picked up Captain Hyde,

the ladies passengers, and some of the crew,

whom they brought up to the Port. The other

passengers and sailors, in two of the boats,

reached Port Gawler, whence they have since

arrived at Port Adelaide. There was a small

mail on board, but there was no time to save

The following is a list of the cabin passen-

gers : — Mrs Hyde, Mrs and Miss Wigley,

Mrs Knox and four children, two Misses

Knox, Dr Brendt, and Mr Box. The

steerage passengers were Mr Leslie, Mr

Anstey, Mrs Fowler and two children. The

officers and crew were 25 in number.

The cargo is a general one of very conside-

rable value, and although fully insured, as is

the ship, the loss will occasion serious disap-

pointment to many of our expectant merchants

We understand Capt. Hyde and the ladies

passengers arrived in town late last night; but

we are unable to give more than the above

outline of this most unfortunate disaster,

deeming it better to furnish a de-

tailed statement to-morrow than to give

publicity to the many reports that obtained

currency in town during last evening. Cer-

tainly such a hurricane has seldom or never

been experienced in this colony, and the

known prudence and caution of Captain Hyde,

as well as his acknowledged experience, lead

us to believe that nothing which energy and

seamanship could accomplish would be wanting

upon so trying an occasion. Such an un-

fortunate occurrence is perhaps the more to be

deplored, inasmuch as the voyage, although

somewhat longer than usual, is believed to

have been remarkably exempt from very

stormy weather until the ship approached our

land on Saturday and Sunday last.

The last despatch from the Port, received at

a late hour last night, announced two arrivals,

the Northumberland, from London and Ply-

mouth, and a German ship, with emigrants.

At the closing of that despatch Mr Leslie was