WRECK OF THE MELBOURNE BRIGANTINE OAK AT HOKITIKA.

Evening Post, Issue 83, 16 May 1865, Page 2

WRECK OF THE MELBOURNE BRIGANTINE OAK AT HOKITIKA.

This brigantine which was in Nelson about eighteen month's ago, and was then a handsome well built and staunch looking craft, has been wrecked at the Hokitika, and now lies high and dry on the bank a short distance from the steamer Nelson, and it is believed ia a total wreck. She belongs to MelbournPj and is about 150 tons register. She arrived at Hokitika on Friday afternoon from Invercargill, having on board about 180 passengers s among whom were a number of women and children ; 150 sheep, and 150 tons of general cargo. She was following a small schooner into the river on flood tide, and got caught in an eddy, which runs there with considerable force, was carried on by it, and in spite of the efforts of the captain and crew, she was swept up on the bank about three hundred yards from where the Nelson lies. Several seas struck her in succession and drove her further up the bank. Captain Gibson, the harbour master, promptly boarded the ship ; at this time the seas continued to strike the vessel with considerable force. There was of course great confusion on board, and people were throwing sheep overboard, while in the cabin, where the female passengers and children were assembled, there was great terror, women and children screaming and greatly alarmed. Captain Gibson went into the cabin and endeavoured to allay their fears, begging them to remain quiet, and that all would be safely landed. Just as he was saying this a heavy sea struck the ship, making her lurch heavily, and staving in the broadside of the cabin, and rushing in amongst the affrighted females, added more to the noise and terror. The ship, however, was soon high and dry ; all the passengers were enabled to walk ashore in safety, and the greater part of the cargo was also discharged, The vessel is expected to become a total wreck.—^Nelson Colonist, 9th May.