‘Mina’, 1888

The Daily Telegraph of 26th June 1888 included these details of the sinking of the brig Mena on 23rd June 1888:

The brig Mina, belonging to Sydney, and sailed by Captain J. P. Stirling, was abandoned on Saturday night in a sinking condition off Green Cape. The crew were rescued by Messrs Huddart, Parker and Co.'s SS Wendouree, Captain P. Le Neven, en route from Melbourne to Newcastle, and landed here (Sydney) safely last evening. The Mina was on her way from Clarence River to Melbourne with a cargo of piles for the Victorian Harbor Trust.

She left Clarence River over two months ago and fell in with a series of heavy westerly gales off the coast, in which the rudder was carried away and the vessel sprang a leak. The pumps were constantly kept going but the water could not be got under, and on Friday off Green Cape there were 5ft. in the hold. Efforts were made to reach Eden, but the heavy westerly gale set in and forced the ship off the land, and the rudder becoming defective the vessel was left at the mercy of the waves, almost unmanageable. On Saturday night signals of distress were burnt, and the Wcndonree, which happened to be passing, bore down to the assistance of the disabled vessel. There was a heavy south-west gale raging at the time and, as the vessel appeared to be fast sinking, the crew deemed it advisable to abandon her. The boats were got out with difficulty, and the crew watching their opportunity left the vessel and were taken on hoard the Wendouree, which then continued her voyage for Newcastle. The vessel was abandoned about midnight. She had then 6ft. of water in her hold, and Captain Stirling is of opinion that she sank shortly after the Wendouree left her. When the brig was abandoned Green Cape bore north-west by north, about 10 miles distant...The Mina was a wooden vessel of 268 tons, built in Germany in 1867. She was owned by Messrs. J. P. Stirling (captain), John Royal and Geo. Rankin, of this port, being purchased from Messrs. Facy and Fishsr of Hobart last year. In length she measured 107ft. 9in. ; her beam was 26ft. 1in., and depth of hold 12ft. 4in. She is supposed to be insured in a Sydney office.