Wreck of the Grassmere.

Manawatu Herald, 28 December 1895, Page 2

Wreck of the Grassmere.

A sensation was caused in the city on Christmas morning, says the Times, when it became known that the barque Grassmere, 440 tons register, bound from Newcastle to Wellington, had * run ashore near Terawhiti.

The vessel left Newcastle on December 12th with a cargo of coals for the Union Steam Ship Company, and fine weather was experienced on the run across, Cape Egmont being sighted on Monday, 28rd, at noon. Stephen's Island light was picked up at 11 p.m. the same day.

On Tuesday the barque was beating through the Straits, the weather being calm but slightly hazy, until 4 o'clock on Wednesday morning, when a strong N.W. breeze was met with, which freshened as the morning wore on.

When off Terawhiti, running before the wind, which was on the quarter, the Grassmere ran on a sunken rock between Old Tom'f Bock and Karori Book, about two miles off the mainland.

This was at 10 minutes past 6. The sea was one mass of foam, and there was no indication of danger until the vessel struck.

The captain was on the poop, and all hands were busy taking in sail at the time.

The pumps were at once sounded, and in a few minutes it was found there was 4ft of water in the hold.

Two boats were at once got out, and it being seen that there was no chance of saving the vessel the officers and crew took to the beats.

Ten minutes after the Grassmere heeled over on her starboard .side and sank.

Owing to the strong wind the boats were blown out to sea,, and the oooupants had an anxious time.

The seas were constantly breaking over them, and the boats were in great danger of being swamped. The Terranora had gone to Cook Strait to lay the new cable reoeited by the Tainui, but owing to the rough weather operations had to be suspended, and the steamer was returning to port, after patting down some mark boys, when she passed some barrels, and Captain Gray «,!«. tering his course to the , direction from which they were coming, met the two boats and took the men on board. They were then about 10 miles off the mainland.

The men were greatly exhausted— in fact, one of them was in a bad state. Every attention was paid to the men by Captain Gray and his crew, and the Terranora landed them in Wellington at noon.

The men managed to save some of their effects, and the captain saved the ship's papers and log-book, besides his sextant, chronometer, &c.

The Grassmere was in charge o! Captain S- Morrison, who had been on thi! barque for some years. Mr E. Kil.ingpack, late of the G. Mt Tucker and Excelsior, was chief officer, and Mr Dolloughtie second officer. There was a crew of eight and a steward, all of whom were saved. The vessel was uninsured. The cap am, who estimates his loss at £1500, was part owner, and Mr Walker, manager of the Kauri Tim* ber Company, Sydney, was the other owner.

The steamers Australia and Mara* roa passed the wreck in the after* noon, and only the topmast and topsails were visible. The Mararoa passed the spot again on Thunday morning, when only a few yards of the mast were visible.