PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2894, 6 February 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united press assooiation.l Auckland, February 5. The s.s Herald, from Greymouth, Captain Savory, reports that on Thursday, at 5 p.m passed what he believed to be a new island, beariug W. by W. 12 miles from Motupes Bay, E. 12 miles from Cape Maria Van" Diemen lighthouse, weather fine and smooth. At first passed five miles from it. After going some distance returned to within three miles of it, but the night coming on was afraid to go closer. It was oval shaped, 30 feet high and 200 feet long. The general opinion, after inspection of captain Savory's diagram of it, is that it is a large ship on her beam ends. LOSS OF THE FANNY. A WOMAN AND THREE CHILDREN DROWNED. Auckland, February 5. The steamer M'Gregor arrived here at 3.45 thio morning, bringing with her Captain Williams and the crew of the Auckland ketch Fanny, which was totally lost on Tuesday night near Bieum Heads. Mrs Turnbull, a passenger, and her three children were drowned. The Fanny left Auckland on Monday for Wanganui, and had fine weather up to S p.m. on Tuesday, wheu it came on to blow from N.N.E., shifting slightly to northward off Tuakaka, when it came on thick and dirty. Bore way for Whangarei for shelter, kept the vessel by S. for two hours and three quarters, then away at 11 p.m. for Whangarei, the vessel going about six knots. At 11.45 on Wednesday, hauled the vessel to the southward; about ten minutes afterwards altered the course to N.W. by N. to make the Head. No sooner was this done than breakers were seen under the lee. Tried to stay the vessel, but it would uot do so; then tried to wear her, and, whilst doing so, she struck on a rock off Kruri Head, about four miles off Whangarei Head. There was a heavy sea running, and the first sea that struck the vessel carried away her foremast. The seas made a clear break over the vessel, and, with the hope of saving the passengers, they were lashed to the mizen mast, but seeing they were in danger they were removed to the companion aft. Here all hands held on until about daylight, when two of the children died, and soon after that the vessel broke in two, and all hands were washed off. The crew managed to get on a part of the companion; the ciptain getting on one of the masts, and they were washed on to a rock, where they remained all day until G p.m., when for safety they all got on to a piece of the wreck," and drifted to the maiulaud, iii miles dis-

tant. They were all that Wednesday night in the bush, and on Thursday morning reached Wangarei Heads. Mrs Turnbull was the wife of the proprietor of the Settler*' Hotel, Mongonui, and the children (girls) were aged eighteen months, two years, and thirteen years. Captain Williams is almost prostiated. Prior to leaving Auckland he endeavoured to induce Mrs Turnbull to take a passage with a steamer rather than go widi the ketch. Later. The police are searching the coast near Wangarei*Heads for the bodies of Mrs Turndnll and children, drowned in the wreck of the ketch Fanny.