BARQUE PURITAN FOUNDERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3283, 31 July 1911, Page 5

BARQUE PURITAN FOUNDERS

CREW TAKE TO THE BOATS.

TEN MEN MISSING.

CASTAWAYS’ TRYINC EXPERIENCE.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. J AUCKLAND, July 29. The barque Puritan sprang a leak on June 20 on the voyage from Newcastle to San Francisco, during a heavy gale, about 800 miles from Tahiti. The water gained rapidly on the pumps till June 27tli, when a furious gale was raging and the vessel was sinking fast. It was decided to abandon her. All hands provided water and provisions, and left the barque in two boats. The boats kept together for three days, but the third night became separated. A boat containing the first mate, Hatfield, and nine men disappeared, and his not since been heard of. It is believed to have foundered with all hands. The second boat, containing Captain Chapman, Collins, the second mate, and ten men, arrived at Tahiti on July 14. Unfortunately, water ran short during the voyage. The boat’s crew subsisted for eleven days on a sixth of a pint of water and two biscuits. They landed at Auna Island, and reprovisioned the boat with Abater and cocoanuts, and prepared to resume to voyage to Tahiti.

Several of the seamen refused to proceed further, preferring safety to the risk of a long pull in a rowing boat. The captain and Collins, one seaman, and the cook proceeded alone. Leaving Auna, the boat struck a coral reef, and a plank was stove in, but the castaways pushed on. rowing and bailing. Three davs out from Auna they sighted Tahiti, and fourteen days out landed at Papeete.

Collins, one seaman, and the cook of the A r essel arrived at Auckland by the Talune. Captain Chapman proceeds direct to San Francisco.