TOTAL WRECK OF THE ANNIE

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 2, Issue 85, 17 August 1868, Page 200

TOTAL WRECK OF THE ANNIE

'■J/', HQ'HrasSiGST. ' Wb regret to \have --to'- record ‘ the: total wreck, on Tuesday night last, pf the Napier schooner Ahnie, o n tlie .Black Reef, at Cape Kidhappera. / • We have been favored by Capt. Hamilton: with'the following succinct narrative -of the disaster:— The. Annie, -was a fine fore-and-aft schooner, of about 17,tons register, built by Messrs Hamilton, Ross, and Bristow, at Arapawanui, and-launched in March, 1867. The Annie left Napier early on the morning of Monday lkst, 10th August, bound for Porangahau, with a large general cargo. There were only two men on. board—David Hamilton (master), and Hector Ross. . .On leaving the Aburiri roads, the wind was from N.W., which she carried as far as Bare Island. Abont 6 p.m., wind hauled round to S.W., and continued to blow from that quarter until about 8 o’clock on Tuesday morning, when a calm ensued. About 9 o’clock, wind sprung np from the S.E., which continued until noon, when it veered to E.N.E. At 2 p m., was off Blackhead, when the wind went round to S.E., blowing fresh, with thick hazy weather, and heavy sea. At 4 p.m., finding there was no chance of entering the, Porangahau river that night, bore up, and ran for Cape Kidnapper for shelter. The night was pitchy dark, with a heavy wind, and the rain pouring in torrents j and although, as the vessel came up the coast, the high land was visible, it was impossible to see Cape Kidnappers itself. At about nine o’clock, Capt. Hamilton judging the vessel to be well clear of the Cape, wore round to run in and anchor. At 10 p.m., the vessel struck heavily twice on the outer rock of the Black Reef—the first shock, which caught her about midships, being so great that her mainmast came down by the head. Tried the pumps, and fonnd the vessel making water fast. Hamilton—leaving Ross at the pump—went below, and found the cabin deck covered with water. He then oarne on deck, and told Ross of the fact j and after a brief consultation it was deemed advisable to launch the boat, which they accordingly did. Ross then went below, and found that there were about 2 feet of water on the cabin deck, it was-therefore impossible to procure any food, clothes, &e. The two men then took to the boat, remained about 100 yards from the vessel for about iialf-an-hour: At the expiration of that time, the vessel was level with the water, and sinking fast They then made for the shore, and a landing was effected with great difficulty and risk. The night was passed in a cave—the poor fellows having no food or dry clothes. At 7 o’clock yesterday morning, they hauled the boat inside the cave, and made it fast to the trunk of an immense tree. At that time nothing whatever could be seen of the ill-fated Annie, which, Captain Hamilton is of opinion, has gone down in about 4 fathoms of water. The two shipwieoked mariners then set off on foot for Napier, which they reached about 8 o’clock last evening, having undergone great hardship and privation—inasmuch as they had not partaken of food since Tuesday afternoon, not had a ■yyink of sleep on that or the previous nights ; and had to traverse a distance of 28 miles, in bad weather, over a rough country. The .Annie was owned by Messrs David Hamilton, Thomas Symes, and Hector Ross, and was valued at £360. We regret to learn she was uninsured. For the first six months after her arrival at Napier she was insured for the above stated amount, but on the expiration of that policy, the Company refused to grant a renewal, as the vessel was under 20 tons register. The cargo of the Annie-was a miscellaneous one—the principal shippers being Kinross & Co., and Stuart A Co. We have not heard whether it was insured or not. „

[Since the foregoing account was in type, we learn that the cargo of the Annie was all insured ; and that an inquiry; into the cause of the wreck will-be held to-mor-row.]