THE ‘MONTMORENCY.’

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 466, 1 April 1867, Page 2

THE ‘MONTMORENCY.’

The account we gave of the burnins ... . ° , o of the above 111-laied vessel in our impression of Thursday last extended to the hour of g.-.iaff to nrcss, at which time she was still burning furiously, although but little of her was left above the sea level except the stem and stern posts. At that time, the s.s. Scar of the South, Captain Bendall, was in the act of proceeding to her in order to get her clear of her moorings, and tow her up to the Eastern Spit. This, however. proved a task of some difficult*' owing to the entanglement of the vessel with her fallen masts, her wire ritgin-;, and the chains by which sha was moored \ as well as the danger attending the too near approach to the burning mass. A second attempt, however, made on Friday morning, proved more successful, as she was got clear and towed fairly over to the Spit, where she was left aground. During the whole of Thursday, the night following, and the greater part of next day, the vessel continued to burn more or less fiercely, until, being run into by the steamer, |the sea- effected an entrance, and, coming in contact with the incandescent iron, produced an explosion so loud as to cause a general rush to the Spit, when she was to be seen enveloped in an immense body of steam, which continued to issue from the.heated material for a considerable time; and she gradually filled and settled down. On this takin place a quantity of empty iron tanks floated off her and were safely landed on the Spit to the number of twentyfour.

On Saturday an auction sale was held by Mr. John Stuart, of the remains of the vessel, and the residue of her valuable cargo as then lying on the beach, in about 12 feet of water, and’we consider the prices realised as most satisfactory. We quote as follows ; hot I.—The hull, and all belonging to the ship at that time in her, £llO. Lot 2.—The residue of the cargo as it then lay in her hold, £lO5. Lot 3.—Anchors and cable, as it lay at the Governmeut moorings, £lO. Lot 4-.—Life boat, £lB. Lot B.—Captain’s gig, £l3 10s. Lot 9.—Pinnace, £5. Lot 11,—Life boat, £l9. 31 iron tanks,Trom £1 11 to £1 each. We estimate the total proceeds of the sale at about <£3so, little more or less. In our report of, the arrival here of the ‘ Montmorency,’ speaking of her quick passage, we remarked that the passage from pilot to pilot occupied 96 days, but we inadvertently omitted to add that from port to port (Plymouth to Nelson) was but 88,—being one of the most rapid we have known, and in which die ill-fated vessel bore out her welUearned lame as a first-class Black Ball liner. We also understand that Capt. M'Kenzie s absence from the ship mi tlie night of the lire was, in a great measure, owing to indisposition, —he being physically unable, on that evening, to undergo the passage to the ship, against a strong flood tide and head wind. He has gained the cordial sympathy of all parties who have made his acquaintance since his arrival in Napier, as well as the esteem of the passengers who came under his care from England to our port. We understand tiiat au inquiry into the cause of the fire will he held in the Council Chamber,’ this day (Monday) at eleven o’clock a.ra.