WRECK OF THE P.S. STURT.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 226, 29 September 1870, Page 2

WRECK OF THE P.S. STURT.

Yesterday's telegrams informed us of the loss of the piddle steamer _iurt, the property of Me-sr.. Bel her aud Fairweather, of Kaiapoi, and which is, no doubt a very serious affair fwr the port. The Sturt was by no me ns a new vessel, bus. still, suited in every way to what was re-

quired of her, and a pretty fair sea going boat. She was brought from England for the trade on tue Australian coast, from

whence she came to New Z- aland, having been purchased by a JNeison Company, who sold her to the General Government. For some time she was used in opi rations against the natives, and on the cessation of the war waa soli in April last to her present owners, and from her lightness of draught proved to be adapted to the river trade. Since her arrival she plied to and from Lyttelton, up to the day. of the accident. An insurance had been effected on her for £1,000 in the Australasian Company, which amount is perhaps under her value, though purchased from the Government for £900. The cargo at the time of the accident was fully insured with the Pacific Company f-r £850. Captain Dyason thus details the accident :— " Left the wharf, Kaiapoi, at 12.30 p.m.; proceeded clown river with the ketch Margaret

in tow. Nearing the bar the signalman had the ' bad bar' signal hoisted. Let go the ketch with the intention to Jet go my anchor, and in the act of letting go saw the signalman waving his hat. I took no notice till he L^hoisted the ' bar safe' signal. I then proceeded on, and found when on the bar there - wa3^-iot water enough to take the boat over. ]fi_Cy intention then was to try and back her /off, when the engineer informed me that the starting bar was broken, so that I was quite left to the mercy of the sea and tide. I proceeded at once to Kaiapoi to give notice to the owners, and called on two masters of vessels to hold a survey, and give me a report of whut should be done for the benefit of all parties." Captains Whitby and Brown held the survey. Ihe vessel has been abandoned to the underwriters. On Thursday morning she had filled with water, and towards noon had settled so that her back broke, as well as the bed of the engine. The cargo is nearly all damaged, and all will probably be sold by An enquiry into tie wreck, fiefore the Customs Collector, will probably take JXtJlcfi to-morrow, at Kaiapoi. At present the i 'spa v\ washing, at high water, clear over the V/TesjeP, andTof course, she must sink to some /^^xtent intlie sand. It is of course not quite '. certain whether the machinery is intact or ) r-Afe; the engine was half worn, and the boilers >-fear done. — L-jttelton Eras, Sep. 22.