13 August 1846 This port has again afforded a place of refuge to a shipwrecked crew, cast way among the numerous reefs to the northward, on the 17th July last. The particulars of the loss of this vessel I here subjoin :-

The schooner Dundee Merchant, Owen Davis master, of and from Hobart Town the 5th of January last, upon a whaling voyage, was, whilst cruizing on the east coast off New Holland, set (before daylight of the morning of the 17th ultimo) by the current upon the extensive reefs stretching out from New Caledonia. Owing to the chronometer being broken, and thereby rendered useless, the vessel had by being worked by dead reckoning got nigh upon two hundred miles out of her course ; no indication of the vicinity of danger was observed the evening before the unfortunate occurrence, nor was any broken water discovered by the watch previous to the vessel striking, and it was only upon daylight breaking they were enabled to discover their true position.

A very short time after the schooner grounded she bilged, all hopes were therefore at once abandoned of saving the craft, and instant preparations made to leave the wreck in the three whale boats. A small quantity of biscuit, about two cwt., was got into the boats, with a few breakers of water, with which the boats shoved off to a small sandy island lying about twelve miles distant, at which place they remained two days, fitting their little crafts with canvas wash-streaks, to enable them to contend against the boisterous waves. Finding it impossible to get to windward so as to fetch New Caledonia, they bore away for New Holland ; the Northumberland Isles were sighted on the 24th ultimo, and they were enabled to land shortly afterwards on this coast near Kepple Bay to procure water ; as usual, the blacks watched an opportunity to attack the weary mariners, at a moment when they were unfortunately unprepared, their fire-arms being unloaded, having previously, been fired off at some birds ; upon the men retreating to their boats, one poor fellow received a spear wound in the breast, several others had very narrow escapes, spears passing through their clothes, and the feet of those who were destitute of shoes were much cut and lacerated with running over the oyster shells ; fortunately the whole got into the boats and pushed off from this inhospitable shore, leaving behind some of their water kegs.

After enduring incredible hardships and privations, by land and sea, they made this port on the 3rd instant, when happily the schooner William was working up to the river; Captain Freeman immediately administered to their individual wants, and brought the whole of them, fifteen in number, to Brisbane. Captain Allen, of the steamer Tamar, kindly gives a passage to Sydney to the master and mate, with four of the seamen. The distance traversed by these unfortunate seamen, in their boats, is little short of 1200 miles ; their escape at this particular season of the year, in the late strong south-west gales, may be considered almost miraculous. The Dundee Merchant had 150 barrels of sperm oil on board when cast away. The three boats were sold at auction, yesterday, for �40.- Moreton Bay Correspondent.

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