WRECK OF THE BRIG HINDOO.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 844, 11 April 1871, Page 2

WRECK OF THE BRIG HINDOO.

The special reporter of the Southland Ncwa furnishes the following particulars of the recent wreck of a tea-lacfen vassel near New Hirer ; — Captain Saadberg, of tae Hindoo, Norwegian brig, 250 bona burthen, 55 days oat from Foo Chow, reports that she was bound for Dunedin with a cargo of tea. He states that, after passing the Solander on Sunday, the 26th. current, the weather (wind from S.W.) became thick and stormy, obscuring, or rather concealing altogether, the light on Dog Island, at the eastern entrance to Foveaux Strait ; that in the darkness oi the night the proximity of the land was unseen ; that the first intimation of danger was the outer line of breakers ; that soundings were taken showing seven fathoms ; and next — about 3 a.m. on Monday: — the vessel struck, her mainmast, soon after going over the side, broken off a few feet above the deck. The Hindoo, being a comparatively new ship, sustained the successive shocks of the waves by which she was driven up on the beach, and as it was then near high tide, all hands remained on board until daylight— the seas breaking over, but the ship remaining intact. In this situation she was seen at dawn by Captain Clare, and by the Maoris and half-castes at the Kaik on the eastern bank of the New River, distant some seven or eight miles. Headed by Harry West, a smart half-caste seaman, the latter at once manned their boats, crossed the river, and made on foot for the ship. On iheir arrival the boat's crew lowered one of their boats, and by this means passed a surf -line to those on shore the boats being subsequently hauled to and fro along it. The fishermen from Sandy Point also came over to assist, and, by the united exertions of all, the personal effects of the crew, and some of the most portable of the ship's fittings, were landed in safety. At low water it was at times possible to wade out to the ship, although dangerous on account of the rollers that came in. Her -working had by this time imbedded her in the sand, and as the tide rose the gunwale was not more than two or three feet out of water. Operations had now to be suspended, and all hands took shelter and much-needed repose and refreshment. She was under charter to Messrs Jardine aud Co., arid consigned to their agents at; Dunedin (Messrs Cwgills and M'Lean), aud, with the cargo, was insured, but to what extent we have been unable to ascertain.