WRECK OF THE ONEHUNGA.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1125, 6 March 1872, Page 2

WRECK OF THE ONEHUNGA.

Tbe following particulars of tho total loss of this fore-and-aft schooner, R. Crouch, master, on Saturday week, are given by the Oamaru Times, of Tuesday last:— •• This neat and smart vessel was purchased some two > years ago by several parlies (conjointly) in this town, and became the sole property of MeMrs Sampler and Lomononly last week. v ?,« **"*«* her e from Dnnedin with about 30 tons of produce and general merchandise, and had loaded about 15 tons of flour and grain, shipped by Messrs Anderson and Mowatt, for Westporfc, wheu she was ordered to sea as the weather had a dirty appearance, and a nasty sea was rollinc in. About a quarter past three in the afternoon she got under way on tho starboard tackfit was blowing fresh from the N.E. at the time) and when within a short distance oC the beach tried to go about so as to work oat. She missed stays, but having jnst -sufficient room to fill on her and try her igain, the captain made another attempt o stay her. She missed a second time and -10 anchor was then let go, and club-handed,

to cant her head to. the south-east. The port cable was then immediately slipped ; and tho sails filling the vessel stood out on the port tack. She had previously struck the beach with her keel three times, being actually within a single ship's length of the shingle bank. She was handled in very smart and seamanlike style to the great admiration of a crowd of spectators. When near the Cape, however, she again missed stays, being under tbo shelter of tho land, and the wind having no power upon her sails. The anchor was then let go, but refused to hold, and the vessel drifted helplessly in, settling fast upon the rocks close to the spot at which the Premier came ashore. The causo of the disaster was doubtless the nasty cross sea running, the wind having been S.E. on- tho previous evening, and raised a heavy sea which had not gone down, when the wind chopping to tho N.E. brought in heavy rollers from that quarter. Immediately on the vessel's striking every exertion was made to save the cargo, which was all got out and stowed on the tramway. At 7 p.m. the same day tho wreck was sold, as sho lay, to Mr Baudinet for the sum of LI 10. She was then lying nearly upright, jammed against the rocks, and the purchaser made every effort to move her head into a position which. might admit of her being floated off. On Sunday, however, it was evident that there was little chance of so doing as the ship was bilged fore and aft, and had a rock right thronsn her bottom, the tide flowing in and out of her hold. On Sunday night sho canted over to seaward, and yesterday was much damaged by the sea She will be dismantled as rapidly as possible, and the salvaged cargo was sold for the benefit of the shippers yesterday evening. The schooner was valued at LSOO afloat, and was insured in the New Zealand Fire and Marine Insurance office for LGOO.