WRECK OF THE BRIG CLARENDON.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 454, 10 December 1868, Page 2

WRECK OF THE BRIG CLARENDON.

* The brig Claiendon, Captain Jew, which ' left this port for Melbourne on the 4th inst., in company with the 10, was run ashore near the foot of the Lamplough track, about midway between Greyraonth and Hokitika, on Monday evening, in order to save the lives of the crew, as she had been leaking for several days. It will be remembered that on her last trip this vessel grounded on the South Spit, and lay there for two days, until she was lightened of part of her cargo. She then received some knocking abont from the surf, but the damage done was considered by the surveyors so Blight that a court of inquiry was not held. Although she was then thoroughly examined before being allowed to put to sea, there is littU doubt that the

straining si;') received on tho spit was the primary cause of the leak. She was the property of Messrs Glenn Bros., of this port ; but it was uot known whether on her last trip she w.i s insured. We take the following details of the wreck from the W. O. Times of Tuesday ; -*■ Yeßterduy evening, about five o'clock, a large vessul was observed nearly abreast of the Atahura struggling in the break, Upon tho information beiny reported to Captain Turnbull, he, in company with Captains Thompson and Agnew, proceeded to the tramway teriniuus, and got a special carriage, for the purpose of leaching the scene to render assistance, if necessary. On reaching the Arahura bridge, the party met with Mr Lnmplough, and Sergeant Blanc, who told them that the vessel was ashore about a quarter of a mile north of the Waiinca Crook. It being then qnite dark, it was determined to proceed no' further, as the Sergeant and Mr M 'Lean assnred the party that the crew were all safe, and no assistance would be required. It appears that the stranded vessel is the brig Claroudon, which sailed from Greymouth on the 4th inst. for Melbourne in ballast. Mr M'Lean, who was on board the vessel, was informed by Captain Jew, the master of the brig, that on Saturday, at noon, it came on to blow a hard gale, and it was discovered that evening that the vessel had sprung a leak, through the ship laboring very heavily in the seaway, All hands were at once sent to the pumps, and the vessel kept away for Nelson. The leak increasing, a spare sail was passed under her bottom, which had the effect of causing the leak to decrease, and give the men some rest from tho pumps. The next day the gale increased, and so also did the leak, in consequence of the canvas having become torn. She sighted Cape f oulwind during the afternoon, and at this time the gale headed the vessel, the wind suddenly shifted to northeast. Finding it impossible to make beadway, she was kept away for Greymouth, and when abreast of that place, flew signals of distress, to try and get a steamer to take her into port. No steamer showing out, stood on for Hokitika, and when abreast of the Arahura, it was found that the vessel had drifted near the break. An attempt was made to heave on the other tack, but she missed stays. Seeing that any further attempt to save the vessel was hopeless, in order to save the lives of the crew, the helm was put about, and her head directed for the beach. The crew had been incessently at the pumps from the time she sprung the. leak until she was beached, and were quite exhausted. On Tuesday, the wreck was surveyed by Captains Thompson and Agnew. The result of the survey was, that the vessel had received so much damage by boing stranded, that the surveyors recommended the vessel to be sold for the benefit of those concerned. We understand that an official inquiry into the cause of the wreck will be held in a few days. [We may mention that when the Clarendon was off the Grey bar on Monday, her signals could not be distinguished. The state of the bar at the time rendered it impossible for a tugtocro s.]