WRECK OF THE BRIGANTINE “MARCHIONESS.”

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 177, 3 June 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

WRECK OF THE BRIGANTINE “MARCHIONESS.”

WONDERFUL ESCAPE of the crew. [From the Taranaki Herald, May 21.] We are sorry to report thatjthe brigantine “Marchioness,” 174 tons, lately commanded by Captain Holford (but since he was appointed Harbour Master here, in charge of the chief officer, Mr. R. Smith), has gone ashore about 25 miles down the coast, and is now a total wreck ; the crew effecting a double escape from the crew and from the Maories. The Marchioness was at anchor in the roadstead on Monday morning, but at about 7 o’clock parted her cable as she was preparing to slip it, the wind blowing strong from the North at the time, and a heavy sea setting in, and very nearly caught on the tail of the reef before she could be got in hand. However, she got safely out beyond the Sugar Loaves, and appeared to have a good offing. During the day the wind shifted, and blew heavily from the N. and N.W., but in the night increased and shifted to the West, and the ship being light, made more leeway, we suppose, than was anticipated ; and at about 2'30 a.m., on Tuesday, struck before anyone on board knew they were near land. The anxiety of the brew may easily be imagined, with their ship on the rocks in such a night, the sea constantly breaking over them, and a blinding rain falling—add to this the great probability, if they ever reached shore, of being murdered by the natives. The coast thereabouts is very rocky and inhospitable, but, fortunately, where the vessel struck the rocks were not large, and it was fortunate, too, that it was nearly high water at the time. When the day broke, they found they were withi n a quarter of a mile, and at low water they decided to make an attempt to land. The boat was lowered, and three men getting into it, and taking one end of a warp with them, made for the shore, which they most fortunately succeeded in reaching, and the other five then followed. -And here, having, as it were, escaped one death, the second danger began. Right in front of them,*at the side of a little stream, was a Maori pa, and if this had been inhabited their death would have been certain, for they bad no arms with them. But it was not, and so they went on, taking all the «are they could afterwards to keep out of sight by going along the beach and under the cliffs where practicable ; and, at last, after twelve hours heavy and anxious walking, with nothing to eat, they reached Oakuva, about ten o’clock p.m., thoroughly worn out, where (after being mistaken by the sentry for Maories, and; fired at, they emerged from the darkness) they were hospitably entertained. On Wednesday they came into town. Mr.’R. Cock, coxswain of the surf boats, was one of the number, having been -,l acting as pilot whilst the vessel was in the roadstead, v The Marchioness was owned principally by'Mr. Warwick Weston, of this place, and was insured for £2,000 in the New Zealand Insurance Company’s Office. The cargo remaining on board, consisted of 13£ tons of flour, 31 sacks of wheat, 4)- tons pressed hay, and six bags barley.

The vessel, when left, was lying with a large hole in its bottom, six feet of water in the hold, andla great part of the stern was carried away. Wo are informed that Mr. Smith, in fording “ a deep river” (no doubt, the Hangatahua), lost the ship’s papers and log, and it was well that none of them'lost their lives in it.