The new steamer of the Nippon Yusen da} Kaisha, the Futami Maru, which is making her first trip to Australia, arrived in Hongkong yesterday, having on board the eaptain and eleven members of the crew of the British barque Clwyd, viz., Captain Thomas; David Williams, steward; John Williams, cook; Thomas Hughes, sail-maker and boatswain; William Williams, A.B.; Williams R. Rees, 0.8.; Joseph Hitchen, A.B., Carl A. Peterson, carpenter: Thos. P. Curry, apprentice; David John Asplet, apprentice; William James Felton, apprentice; and James McLaughlin, A.B.
The Futami Maru left Yokohama on the 28th of March and Nagasaki on Saturday. On Monday she experienced fine weather but a lot of fog. When about 180 miles from Hongkong, to the north of Pratas Shoals, she observed a small boat displaying signals of distress, and Captain illeoat gave the order to bear down to her assistance. As he neared the boat the Captain saw that its occupants were Europeans. On coming alongside the intter asked if they could be taken aboard, and on receiving the reply "Yes," they got on to the Futami Mar, some other Europeans on a junk which was standing by wa doing the same.
Captain Thomas explained that he was master of the British barque Cloyd, which left Hongkong on Thursday for Pisco, Peru, with a cargo of rice. He added that on Saturday morning, about 2.30, when the weather was heavy and there was a heavy sea on, his ship got on to the Pratas Shoals.' The vessel was not abandoned until it was apparent that there was no hope of saving her, At four o'clock, when it was seen that she was sinking fast, the Captain ordered the boats to be got out he taking charge of one and the Chief Mate (Hugh Jones) of the other. They stood by until eight o'clock in the morning, when were prevented from doing so by the heary they endeavoured to get aboard again, but
surf.
Just before the Captain gave the order to take to the boats a heavy sea swept over the poop, going into the cabin and hold. This would swell the rice, and ultimately burst the planks apart.
The Captain's boat, which soon separate ed from the other, was very leaky. Three men were bailing all Saturday night. All the provisions were spoiled by, the water. The men had been 23 hours in an open boat, and were despairing of keeping afloat much longer when a Chinese junk fortunately have in sight and some of the men got aboard her.
All the men speak very highly of the Chinese, who not speak a word of English. The Captain of the Futami Marw rewarded them with a couple of bags of rice and some stores.
The crew lost everything they had except the clothes they had on. The only living creatures left on board were some canaries, which were forgotten in the excitement. The cat and dog were brought off safely.
Captain Williams speaks highly of the great. kindness shown to him and his companions in distress by the Captain and crew of the Futami Maru: Captain Hill-coat, by the way, has had to do with the saving of some 450 shipwrecked people and years ago was awarded the order of Medjijoh and the Star of Zanzibar for saving life.
In addition to Chief Officer Jones, the second boat contained Michael Crowley, second officer; Stanley Cottear, Gustav Andersen, John Kagam, F. Smyth, N. Nielsen, David Jones Williams, 'A, B's and E. T. Roberts, apprentice, They had to row almost the whole of the distance to miles, Until five o'clock yesterday morn-Hongkong. The first day they made 120
ing the weather was calm, but there was nich fog. Provisions ran out. yesterday morning and there was only a little water left. A further supply, however, was obtained from a junk. They arrived in Hongkong ata quarter past four, yester-afternoon.
The Clwyd had fairly good weather after leaving Hongkong, and when she struck was moking four anda half knots, Tt was then pitch dark, She was carried on to the reef by strong current.
The Oltcyd (for which Messrs. Sander, Wieler & Go. were the agents) was built at Neweastle-on-Tyne in 1888, and was formerly the Dfelate, of Rotterdam. She was in good condition, being a fine and tight sea-boat. Registered at Liverpool owner Walmsley.—Hongkong Daily Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.