TOTAL WRECK OF THE 'LEONIDAS.'

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 557, 23 October 1871, Page 2

TOTAL WRECK OF THE 'LEONIDAS.'

NAIIROW ESCAPE OF THE

CEEAY

By the arrival of the Gomerang, we regret to learn of the total los 3of tlio schooner Leonidas, tlio property ot Captain Norris, of the Bay of Islands. The schooner left Auckland during the lust week in September, having on board a full cargo of general merchandise, &c, for Mr. MoMafch, who is about to commence business at "Waogapo. We have received the following particulars from our correspondent at Russell :—" The crew of the schooner Leonidas ' has arrived here ; the vessel is a total wreck'at Waugape. It appears that she had passed the greater part of dangers, when, owing to the swell increasing with the flood tide, she was swept on to a very high rocky point, where, if it had not. been for t'.e great assinUmce rendered by the I natives, not a soul could have been saved. Tli9 vessel was all in pieces two or three hours after the crew had left her. An enquiry was held by Mr. Yon Stunner, the officer in charge of Customs, Hokiangu, but I have not heard the result." CAPTAIN NOBUIS'S STATEMENT. The following account of the wreck has been forwarded to us by Captain Norria :— "The Leonidas sailed from Ilussell on Ilmrs- [ day, September 28th, v.'ith a moderate breeze from N.W.; put into Wangaroa on tlio following day, stiff breeze from W. ; sailod from Wangaroa on Sunday, October Ist, moderate breeze from W. hauling to the N.W. during the day ; weathered the North Capo 5 a m., October 3rd, strong breezo from N.N.W., and arrived at Wan gape Heads at 3 p.m. the same day; -weather coming thick and dirty, with a falling barometer, vessel under double-reefed canvas, stood out to sea; 8 p.m., heavy gale from N.W., took in' the mainsail and lay-to under a two-reefed foresail and reefed staysail ; wind hauled to the westward with a heavy confused sea, vessel shipping some heavy water ; Friday, October 6th, wind hauled to S.W.. found ourselves off Manukau, kept away for Wangape ; Saturday and Sunday, October 7th and Bth, drifting about between Hokiaugtt and Wmigape; afterwards found heavy weather coming on, stood out to Bea ; 12 (midnight), laid the vessel to on the port 'taclr; on Monday, the 9th, sighted Eeef Point; 430 p.m., on Tuesday, 10th, sighted Three Kings, about 5 miles on our port quarter, set single-reeled canvas, stood on our convtOi wind 8. with a he ivy sea, passed outside Pandora Bank, the bank breaking heavily ; beclamed all night about 5 miles N.W. off Reef Point; arrived at Wangape Heads next day, but could not get in j October 12th, moderate breeze from S.W. with a smooth sen, signal set for me to run iv; 12 (noon), stood in to the heads, found the wind getting very light. Hauled our wind, and stood to the S.fC Fell calm. Got the boat out, and pulled in to the heads, and took a look at the place. Pulled on board again, and found the vessel drifting towards the shore. Unshackled the starboard anchor, and bent a new warp to it. Let go the anchor in twenty fathoms. During the night light breeze" sprung up from N.W. Got under weigh, and stood off shore all night. Friday 'October 13th, arrived at the heads again Found too much sea to enter ; stood off shore all night. Saturday, October 14th, weather moderate, wind S.W. Stood in for heads. Passed the rock at the entrance at 4.30 p.m, In about five minutes the vessel took the

bottom, and paid off. Hauled down the head sails, and let go the starboard anchor. Found I was on the end of the spit; sea making a complete breach over us. The starboard chain carried away, and every swell carried us further up on the spit. Found it impossible to save the vessel, and too much sea on tor a boat to be launched. Had it not been iov the natives, I do not think we should any ot us have been saved, as the sea was rising. About two and a-half hours after the vessel struck she was a complete wreck, owing to the rocky nature of the heads. Nothing could be saved of any value. The vessel was not insured.Wm. Norris, Captain schooner Leonuias. P.S.—I must add that the natives were '.cry kind to myself and crew, assisting us m every way that iay in their power. The two principal chiefs were Wm. Turner, Magistrate or Holriangi-, and Te Peori, of Wangape.