WRECK OF THE ESTHER ANN.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2255, 29 July 1870, Page 2

WRECK OF THE ESTHER ANN.

The intelligence we published a few days ago of the reported wreck of the schooner Esther Ann, proves to lie but too true. The vessel is a total loss. The news was brought overland from Martin’s Bay to Queenstown. Mr Elliott, agent for the New Zealand Insurance Company, has received a letter from Mr Brenchley, master and owner of the vessel, which he has kindly placed at our disposal. The master states that the wreck of the vessel happened on the morning of the 10th inst. They started from Milford Sound, at which place the vessel had been laying windbound for an opportunity to get to Martin’s Bay ; and arrived Ml'the bar at the Kakapo Kiver at nine o'clock in the morning. The tide was at the llood, and there unis a wind blowing off the laud, when suddenly it fell calm for an hour; then it came on to blow from W.S. W, and heightened to a gale. The consequence was that they were unable to carry any canvass to work the vessel off the snore. The captain deemed it prudent to run for the entrance to save hfe and property. lie proceeds to state—“ Everything went well until we got off the point at the Sandspit, when the ■esscl touched, and i heavy sea striking us on the port-quarter, slewed the vessel broadside on, and the fresh catch ini as on the star-board bow sent the vessel inside the inner rock. It was done so quickly that we had not time to take sail off the vessel. There was a heavy sea on, and the vessel did not stand long. We were unable to save a great deal; the principal part of our sail was b’own or washed away among the rocks, but what little /vo could save we did. .Since Captain Thomson’s report of the place, the sandspit has made over towards the rock—so the boatmen on the river tell ns. It would make a good entrance if Captain Thomson’s plan were adoped.” Other letters received in town state that all the passengers were landed. A letter received by Mr Sly, Stafford street, states that all the passengers, luggage, and provisions were landed after a groat deal of labor. With the ship’s goods, however, they were not to jfortunato ; the sea being so heavy that the crew wore prevented from working. The vessel broke up quickly, and if it bad not been for a party of diggers who happened to be passing at the time, rendering assistance, hardly anything would have been saved. The vessel, before making for the river, was three times off the bar, but the sea was always so heavy that the captain did nob think it prudent to take it if she had got in when Ma.itin’s Bay was lirst reached, a good trip would have been made, as they were then only 23 days out from Dunedin. Ten days they lay at the Otago Heads, and eight in Preservation Inlet. The captain also states that the Jhcacons put up for the bar arc wrong ; for had he steered for them, they would have all been drowned. The breadth at the entrance at present at low water is only about 10 feet. The sandspit is making riglvfc «ver the rock. The same afternoon a sale was held of the anchors and ■wreck on the beach which realised L2 Ids. Among the property saved was the saw mill plant taken down by some of the passengers. Before the vessel sailed, arrangements were made to have the vessel insured, but not completed. We have not heard what value was placed on her.