DESTRUCTIVE GALES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1489, 16 March 1885, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE GALES.

Auckland, Last F ight. The gale yesterday was the heaviest experienced for many years, inflicting some damage on shipping and property. The small steamer Blanche was a total wreck. The insurances are unknown. Several yachts were damaged. The yachts Aucatia and Beta are ashore, but not seriously injured. A number of coasters are damaged, and the cutter Evening Star is ashore in Rangitoto Channel, and the Harvest Home nankin the harbor. he crew had a narrow escape before being rescued. The i Union Company’* coal hulk Gantero went | ashore, but was uninjured. The old Customs launch was baily knocked up. The Darcy Pratt, brigantine, held on with two I anchors down in Rangitoto Channel after j dragging considerably. Several houses in I course of erection in exposed situations In I the suburbs were blown down. A large J chimney was blown through the roof of jMr Seymour George’s residence. Messrs J Pearson, of Newton, received a fracture lof the leg, and Mr D. L. Murdoch’s I coachman, Welsh, fatal injuries’ - from I falling timber. The damage was over L 2,000.

Wellxgton, Last Night. The strong wind last night has blown Woodyear’s circus te it into ribbons. Dunedin, Last Night.

A heavy northern gale blew for some hours, giving place to rain in the afternoon. Telegraphic communication was interrupted for some time on the North lines.

[by telegtr \ph] . Auckland, To-day.. The steamer Thomas Russell was wrecked at Oreti Point, Bay of Plenty, on Saturday during a gale. The steamer is a total wreck, but all her crew have been landed in safety. The Oreti Point upon which the vessel struck is about 8 miles to the north-west of Cape Banaway. Thera is no doubt but that Captain Helander had been running for shelter at the time the Thomas Russell was wrecked. • The steamer was almost a new vessel, | having been built for the Waimaot Coal and Steam Co., by Messrs Forrest Bros., of London, in the latter end of 1883. She was built of steel, and was of 262 tons gross, with engines of 60 hone power nominal The s.s. Minnie Oasey, steamer, of 64 tons, experienced the full force of the storm in the Kaipara harbor on Saturday morning, and in crossing to the Kaipara Heads was in a helpless oonI dition almost driven out to sea. The I steamer left Dargaville on Friday moraI ing with fourteen passengers, of which I two were ladies. In crossing the long* I reach above the pilot station several-heavy I seas were shipped and it was with diffiI culty the pumps were worked to keep the I steamer clear. The storm had increased I with such force that the only reI source was to make Helensvilla las quickly as possible. At the crossing I at the heads the steamer was carried out j towards the bar by the force of the gale, I and the sea shipped had worked into the I cabin and hold to such an extent that the I fires were extinguished and an attempt was made to work the steamer under canvas, but the sails were blown to ribbons where bant. To make matters more serious provisions ran short, as only sufficient had been taken at Dargaville for an ordinary run to Helenaville ; the supply was exhausted on Friday night. The passengers worked with a will in assisting the crew to keep the water down. The pumps at length became unworkable and buckets had to be used to reduce the water in the hold, which had risen to several feet. At one time on Saturday forenoon when the wind had somewhat abated canvass was set and the steamer was enabled te arrive at Helenaville wharf at half-past four p.m The passengers and crew were all much exhausted from want of provisions and the heavy work they had undergone pumping the steamer.. Opunakb, To-day. The heaviest gale known in Opunake occurred on Saturday. Courtenay’s Hall has been destroyed. There will probably be great damage unless the wind drops. The steamers Stella and Oreti are in the Bay for safety. Several houses have been damaged.