Polynesian., 1844-10-12
SHIPPING

Oil ' u~F.hoNA.\DA
'~SHIPwREcK OF THE HOLDER BORDEN AMER.
IcAN WHALER.-On the 5th of April last. IN,
whale-ship Holder Borden, Capt. Pcll of Fall Riv.
or sailed from this port on a cruise, having on boarc
soobbls sperm and 700 black fish oil. AT three o..
clock on the morning of the 18th following, she ran
lightly bows on, upon a bank of sand. and shortly
after the stern swung round and struck upon n cor.
al reel from which it was found impossible with
their utmost efforts to haul her off, and where she
thunped until she bilged. BY morning there wa,
'our feet water in the hold. Day-break enabled
them to see their position. Between four and five
miles from them lay a low sandy island, while close
by was an extensive reef Of bare rocks. The shin
was stripped of every thing valuable, the masts c1t
away and they were successful in safely landing
l4oObbls of oil, spars, rigging, anchors, chains. pro-
visions, the private property of the crew, in short
all that the ship afforded that was necessary for
them in their unfortunate situation. The island was
found to be in l7is 55w.l. and 26eOI II. On Turner's
map OF the world it is laid down as brakes Island.
1t Is about three miles in circumference and thirty
ieet IN Its greatest elevation, with a swampy lagoon
with grass in the centre, into which the
highest tides partly flow. Beach grass and a few
shrubs are the only vegetation. Fresh
water, though somewhat brackish' is abundant
HAIR seals, turtles, wild ducks and other fowl are
plentiful, so that the crew, 36 in number, besides
the provisions saved from the ship, were abundant
" supplied with fresh food. The wild ducks. were
readily tanned. Potatoes, melons and other fruits
ana vegetables were planted and came up, but with
cred for want of water, there being but ~ hours
RAIN during five months. The heat was great, the
ranging during the dav from 94o to %
+. and sea fowl it is said, frequently near the well
suddenly dropped down dead, the effect, it appeared
20 be, of ovcrpowering heat. The island is entirely
by a reef, in one portion of which there is
to be a good entrance leading to a safe anchor
lge IN three or more fathoms of water, where q YES
can lay within half IA mile of the island and take
IN board the effects saved from the wreck. The
ecf extends from the S. f. to the s. S. W. 20 miles
IN the wIndward side Of which, the breakers are
frequently masthead high, while on the leeward it
$ comparatively calm.
Soon after landing, the keel of a schooner of near
% tons was laid. In its construction thew labored
.nder many difficulties, being obliged to make their
avs from hoop-iron, but having IA carpenter and
with a forge and coal, they pcrsevered,
nd by the sth of Sept, they had completed a ves-
el OF a good model, painted, sheathed and conner
astened throughout. She is named the Hone.
vas launched the 10th and sailed for this port on
ne l4th ult,, having on board Capt. Pell and "a of
is crew, with 40bbls. of oil and one cable. She
rived here on the 9Th, having left IL men on the
land to look after the property there, which is es-
mated at $50, 900.
Inc Holder Borden was a new and beautiful shin
I lA2 tons, one of the most valuable of the wbol-
e fleet, and sailed from home at an expense Of
%, 1000 She was insured, and it is supposed the
nrgo was also.