We regret to announce the total loss of the schooner Minerva, 110 tons, Captain Hovendon, by fire, at sea, on the 27th March. The vessel was the property of the captain, and together with her cargo, is insured in Sydney. Fortunately no lives were lost. The following particulars, furnished by the captain, are gleaned from the Melbourne Daily News of the 21st March [1849] :

The Minerva sailed from Sydney on February 6th, bound for Portland Bay, and had a fair wild until the 9th, being then 80 miles to the south-west of Cape Howe, when it shifted to the south-west, and blew a gale for six days, during which she sprung a leak, and the hands refused to proceed, considering it unsafe. We then bore-up for Sydney, but making so much water that we thought it impossible to keep her free to get there, we put into Jervis Bay on the 21st, there then being two feet of water in the hold, and all hands nearly exhausted from constant pumping.

After coming to an anchor, we found the leak and were enabled to stop it. We remained windbound until the 1st of March, when we again put to sea, but the following morning having carried away several things, and blowing heavy from the southward, we put back again, and having put all to rights with the aid of a blacksmith living at Jervis Bay, we started again on the third. On the 7th, a very heavy gale from the south-west. On the 14th. took shelter in Waterloo Bay, under Wilson's' Promontory, the brig River Chief being there wind bound. On the 17th, left with light easterly winds until the 18th, when it again came on to blow from the West-south-west, and we made King's Island, and kept under the lee of it until the 20th, when we anchored in Sea Elephant Bay, the schooner Sophia being there wind bound. While at King's Island it blew a very heavy gale from the north-west. Left King's Island on the 26th.

On the 27th, being forty miles to the westward of Cape Otway, at half-past four A.M., finding smoke in the cabin, thinking it to be from the cook's galley. hastened on deck, but not finding it there, all hands were called up immediately. In the forepart of the ship there was a strong smell of sulphur; the smoke rapidly increased to suffocation, so that it was impossible to remain more than two or three seconds below. Having on board a large quantity of gunpowder, and seeing no probability of being able to extinguish the fire, the boat was instantly got out. The hands fearing every moment an explosion, wanted to leave the vessel, the moment the boat was got out; but the Captain, after a good deal of persuasion and exertion, got them to launch a lighter, which was on deck, being part of the cargo, and this done, all hands got into her, and left the unfortunate vessel, with a small keg of water only, it being found impossible to obtain any provisions. Expecting to see the decks blown up with the gunpowder every moment, they pulled away for about half a-mile ; but after a little time, the master, mate, and supercargo, returned to the vessel with the small boat to see if they could save anything, or get provisions, but could not, finding on boarding her, the flames bursting from the main hatch where the powder was stowed.

All the sails and rigging took fire and shortly afterwards the powder went off. blowing up the decks at least 500 feet. The mainmast went in about one minute afterwards over the starboard side. The fore-topmast going overboard at the same time. The spirits, of which there was a large quantity, took fire, and the flames were most terrific, ascending to an immense height.

After the powder went off, got on board to see if anything could be got out of her, but the flames and heat were such that we were obliged to get into the boat instantly.

The vessel was burned down to the water's edge by 11 o'clock, and we left at noon. At three p.m. she entirely disappeared. For eleven days before the fire broke out the captain was confined to his bed from severe illness.

We then started for Port Fairy, the wind being easterly, and continued so till two o'clock next morning, 28th, being then about thirty miles from Port Fairy, when it came on to blow from the N.W. We were then forced to abandon our hopes of being able to get to Port Fairy, and bore up for Melbourne. During the night, the man that was steering the large boat was knocked overboard by the steer oar, but was most providentially picked up by the ship's boat, which was kept in tow with two hands in her.

The wind and sea increasing, and finding it impossible to steer the large boat with the small one in tow, got the hands out of her, and were obliged to cast her (the small boat) adrift.

When rounding the Otway, the sea broke heavily for some miles out, it being exceedingly dangerous for an open boat, blowing hard from the N.W., with heavy sea and swell.

There being some barracoota in the boat when hoisted out, we made a small fire in a tin dish and broiled part of it; soon afterwards some of the hands found themselves very unwell. At five P.M. we ran the boat ashore under the lee of a reef about one mile to the N. of Flat Topped Point, it blowing very hard in squalls, so much so that we were obliged at times to haul the sail down.

On the 29th started again, the sea breaking heavily where we took shelter, and with much difficulty got safely out ; striving to reach Port Phillip Heads before night, we were obliged to use a blanket that was in the boat to enlarge the sail, which belonged to the small boat.

To assuage our hunger we ate some more of the baracoota to-day, and all were sick with violent pains in the head, and swollen faces, being also extremely red; this we attributed to the baracoota being exposed to the moon in the boat while on board the vessel. All hands agreed to throw what small portion was left overboard, lest we might be tempted again to eat them, preferring starvation to the awful pain. 6 P.M., reached Port Phillip Heads, when all were kindly treated, and the pressings of nature satisfied at the Pilot Station-Messrs. Timothy and McPherson being there, who were kind and hospitable. On the 30th we again started for Melbourne, and reached there at half-past 9 P.M., being four days in an open boat.

The ship's company consisted of nine hands, and her passengers were Messrs. Harper, Davison, and O'Neill. The following was her cargo :- 6 hogsheads and 30 cases brandy, 3 kegs, 3 half-tierces, and 4 half-boxes tobacco, 4 hogsheads Bengal rum, 8 hogsheads B.P. rum, 10 cases cordials, 176 bags sugar, 80 cases and 26 casks wine, 1 package cigars, 12 tins coffee, 15 chests, 37 half-chests, and 100 boxes tea, 27 cases gin, 6 cases old Tom, 12 coils rope, 41 deals, 12 boxes raisins, 30 bags rice, T. Hovendon.

VI P 94

^ back to top ^