SHIPWRECKS AND LOSS OF LIFE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1672, 30 June 1879, Page 3

SHIPWRECKS AND LOSS OF LIFE.

WRECK OF THE BARQUE B.L, Yesterday morning intelligence reached Christchurch that a yeasel waa on shore on the New Brighton beach, supposed to have been driven on shore by the heavy south-east gale of Saturday night. On proceeding to the spot indicated as that of the wreck, it was found to bo about four miles north of the New Brighton Hotel. The vessel waa the 8.L., a French barque, owned in St. Malo, and on a voyage from San Francisco to Lyttelton, with a cargo of barley, comprising 10,383 sacks, consigned to Vincent and Co., Christchurch. The B.L. was ninety-seven days out from San Francisco, and had called in at Auckland for provisions, leaving there eight days ago. Captain Sovory states that he had not been able to get an observation for three days, and was not aware of where he was at the time of the wreck, he was shaping a course for Lyttelton, but the S.E. gale drove him towards the beach, and finding he was unable to get her off be ran her stem on, after cutting away his fore and mizen mast. This wns about 11.30 p.m. on Saturday, and at 5 a.m. the crew got safely ashore, and also succeeded in getting their chests, &c., on to the beach. Some of the residents in the neighborhood came to their assistance and took them into their houses. They are now locited at the New Brighton Hotel. There is about five feet of water in the hold, which it is probable will be increased on the next tide, which is almost certain to settle her down more. Her position as seen yesterday waa as follows: The vessel is lying head on to the beach, well up, the sea breaking over her stern. Her foremast is gone by the board and is lying across the rail. The mainmast is standing intact, the sails being furled and snugly stowed, the yards squared and braces taut. _ She has a stump topgallant mast. The mizzenmast has been carried away and is standing nearly upright against the mainmast. A house on th* deck has been washed down against the starboard bulwarks. The jibboom is still standing and the head sails adrift, indicating that as a last resort the jibs wore

set to head her in to the beach. In Lyttelton the harbor authorities were on the alert. About nine o’clock yesterday morning signals were made from the station at the Heads that a large vessel could be seen ashore near Kaiapoi. The port signalman immediately communicated with the harbor master, and under his instructions the steam tug Lyttelton was at once sent out. The Lyttelton, with Pilot Reid on board, loft the wharf for the scene of the wreck about 1 0 a.m. Called in at the pilot station and took the life-boat from there and a boat's crew, and steamed round to abreast of the wrecked vessel, arriving about noon. The location of the wreck was found to bo two or three miles south of the Waimakariri, on the Forty Mile Beach. The sea was breaking mountains high, and it was found impossible to communicate with the vessel. Probably some attempt will be made to-day to get the cargo out, as at low tide the vessel is nearly high and dry. WRECK OF THE BARQUENTINE SWALLOW. This fine vessel, a barquentine, for some time past employed by Messrs P. Cunningham and Co. between this port and Newcastle, has become a total wreck at the entrance to Tory Channel. A telegram conveying the news of the misfortune was received on Saturday last by Messrs P. Cunningham and Co. The Swallow sailed from Lyttelton on Thursday forenoon bound to Newcastle. She was in ballast, and had filled her charter to Messrs Cunningham on her last trip. Her owner, Mr Hanncl, resides in Newcastle. She was a strongly built handy vessel of 298 tons"register, and was commanded by Captain Davies. The particulars to hand ore that no lives were lost, and that the wreck was a total one. Nothing was saved belonging to the vessel but the ship’s papers, and the captain and crew had arrived at Picton. The vessel is reported to be insured in an Australian office. WRECKS AT TIMARH.

e» TOUB IIYE3 POST. Intelligence was yesterday received from Timaru that the brigantine Akbar, Captain John Watt, which recently arrived at that port from Newcastle, coal laden, went ashore in the course of the late easterly gale. In this casualty there was, unfortunately, a sad loss of life, Captain Watt, his wife, and two seamen having been drowned. The Akbar was a vessel of 370 tons, and arrived at Timaru on June 23rd, after a stormy passage. Later in the day news was received that the schooner Pelican, Captain Munro, which loft Oamaru in ballast for Timaru on Thursday, had also gone ashore at the latter port. She was a schooner of sixty-nine tons. No other shipping casualties occurred at Timaru, and by latest advices, the sea was rapidly moderating. Two cf the vessels which were at anchor in the roadstead —the Oceola and Annie Bow —trippod their anchors and put to sea. The Clan Campbell and the George Noble redo the gale out at their anchors.