Wreck of the Eleanor - The following letter from Captain Macfarlane has been handed to us for publication.
" Ternate, Monday June 22, 1846.
Mr. Joseph,
Sir, These, I am sorry to say, will inform you of the loss of your vessel, the Eleanor, on the Youls Reef, to the north-west of New Guinea, on the 21st May, at 1 a.m. The weather being dark and hazy, the danger was not seen until we were on it, although there was a good look out kept, the brig was so close to it that the second mate, who had the watch on deck at the time, did not see the danger until the vessel was on the reef ; he had not even time to call me before she struck ; every exertion was used to get her off, but of no avail, as she soon bilged and filled with water ; we saved nothing but four boats, in which we saved our lives, with a little bread to carry us to this Island ; we left the wreck at 7 a.m., she was then beginning to break up - six hours after the wreck took place, and we made the best of our way to Ternate, being seven days in the boats. We arrived here on the 27th May, in a helpless famished condition. The brig had about sixty barrels of oil on board at the time ; the boats were sold by the residents of the place, and what gear was in them, so whatever they have brought will be accounted for when the money is paid. I am now waiting until I can get a passage to Sydney, when I shall be better able to state to you the particulars of the wreck of your vessel.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant
Donald S. M'Farlane.
At sea, 14th July :
I am now on my way to Sydney, via Sourabaya, by a ship from Manila."
The Eleanor sailed from Sydney on the 15th February. She was uninsured, and Mr. Joseph estimates his loss at �4,800.
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