WRECK OF THE S.B. KANGAROO

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1245, 5 May 1884, Page 2

WRECK OF THE S.B. KANGAROO

News has reached Wellington that .the Westport Colliery Company’s chartered steamer Kangaroo had struck on a rock off Gape Campbell, and had sunk. From those who were on board it is ascertained that the,Kangaroo, with, a cargo of coal, left Westport for Lyttelton on Thursday last, and all went well until reaching off Cape Campbell at eleven o’clock on Friday morning, when the steamer, which was under the command of Captain Dybah, struck heavily on the rock outside the eastc rn reef off the Cane. After striking the vessel rebounded, and jhe pumps were at once sounded, but she'was reported to be making no water. Her course was therefore continued, but a few minutes later a second attempt was made with the pumps, when it was discovered that the steamer was making water, and that fast. As the only course open to him, the captain steered the vessel for the shore with the idea of saving both life and property by beaching her. The vessel’s course for the beach was continued for twenty minutes, when it was found that the water was gaining so fast that all hand' were ordered to stand by the boats. The order had not been given too soon, as when the boats were a few yards from the steamer she gradually settled down and disappeared with the exception of her fore and mizen topmasts. The Kangaroo was a fine bandy vessel .and had carried several cargoes from the West Coast to various parts of the colony, but the reason of her hugging so close to the shore at Cape Campbell in broad day light has yet to be explained. The rock she struck on is not unknown to mariners, and it is said that the Government steamer Stella once bumped on ic, but did not sustain any injury. The officers and crew of the illfated vessel numberedfabout sixteen, and there was only one passenger on board, who intended booking at Lyttelton for Melbourne. Nine of those on board took the lifeboat and steered for the bay to the leeward of the reef, and those in the smaller boat ran before the wind, endeavoring to find any nook where they could land in smooth water. Their critical position was fortunately noticed by those on board a small trading schooner, the Ocean Bird, who rescued this portion of the shipwrecked crew and took them on to the month of the Wairau river (Blenheim), whence they transhipped on to the little steamer Mobaka, which had just left Blenheim for Wellington. As soon as the captain of the Mohaka heard that there were several of the craw who had made for Cape Campbell, a course was shaped for that point, when the others were taken on board and brought on here. Nearly all the officers and crew suffer considerable loss by the wreck, as in many cases, owing to the sudden foundering, there was little tiiqe to save anything except what they stood up in. The chief officer is said to be the heaviest loser. The Kangaroo sank in about seven fathoms of water, and it is considered doubtful if any effort to raise her would be fruitful. It is not known whether the vessel or cargo is insured, but most probably the various Sydney offices will have lines on the vessel. An enquiry will of coarse be held.