WRECKS AT THE BLUFF

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1350, 24 September 1886, Page 2

WRECKS AT THE BLUFF

Blt ff, September 24. Two wrecks r conrrei hern last night, ve, of the top*a>l schooner, Maid of Otago, and the Government schooner, Kektno. The former vessel was boned to Riverton with a general cargo from Dunedin, and the Kt keno was retarniog to port after a three month’s crnise at the outlying isltnie, Shortly before midnight a strong east wind sprung up, wh’ch rapidly increased to a perfect gale, with an Intensely dirk night. The Kekeno was the first tc en*er port and reached the lower anchorage shortly alter midnight, but, owing to the gale, the anchor chains were broken and the vessel was driven ashore. The Kekeno now, at high water, is standing upright with the sea washing over her, and bumping heavily, and will not last long if the wind continues. The tug Awarna went to bar assistance at daylight this morning, and the crew, with tbeir clothing, were taken on board the steamer and landed at the wharf. Captain Grey, formerly harbormaster here, was master of the Kekeno, and was thoroughly acquainted with the port. The Maid of Otago, owing to the heavy gale, was running Into port for shelter, Aa she neared the red light at Starting Point the captain was evidently deceived as to the distance of the land and hugged the shore too closely, and, la congfquence, it supposed to have struck on the remains of tbe a*• Pelham- Bln* lights were burnt by theecev, which the night watchman replied to. Tbe pilot boat was launched immediately, and tbe crew were taken off and landed at the pilot station. The master and crew lost all theis effects, and had it not been for the pilot boat li-es wonld, in all probability, have been lost The schooner haa since broken up, and at 8 a.to. no appearance was to be seen of the boll. The beach is st>ewn with cargo and portions of ihe vessels. Tbe insnrsnees are not kn >wn, bat tbe Maid of Otago end cargo la eupo sed to be covered in Dnnedin. The Kekeno is not known to be insured.