WRECK OF THE HYDERABAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2750, 26 June 1924, Page 3

WRECK OF THE HYDERABAD.

1 THE FORTY-STXTH ANNIVERSARY.

Forty-six years ago yesterday, the Hyderabad, the wreck of which is such a conspicuous land-mark a few miles south of the Manawatn Heads, came ashore in a, westerly gale, fortunately without loss of life. Mr Rod McDonald, who n.t ilie lime was living at the Horowlienua Lake and was one of the hi.-1 persons to reach the scene on the morning of the wreck, publishes i lie following details in our Levin coiiit-iiiporaiy.

The Hyderabad was a steel threemasted brigantine of 1,100 tons and was on her way from Lyttelton to South Australia with a cargo of railway material which had been imported into New Zealand, but which as it was built for 4.81 gunge, a width which it was decided was not suitable for New Zealand, was later sold to South Australia.

The night of the 24th of June, IS7B, was one of Hie roughest known on this coast for years. All night a howling sou-westerly bad blown on to the beach and at about ;-{ a.m. on the morning of the 25th, lockets were hoard from the Coast. It was the time when a scare of Russian invasion was* current in Now Zealand and the first thought, of the local settlers was that the. sound was that of a bombardment' .if Wellington. At., daylight, however, a groom came inland to Mr McDonald’s house from Hie accommodation house at the Hokio and told them that a big ship was ashore and Shat the captain wanted a horse to ride to Otaki. Mr McDonald’s brother, the late Mr J. R. McDonald, of Ileatherlea, took the horses out and accompanied Captain Holmwood, who was in command of tlie wrecked vessel, to Otaki. The Hyderabad had struck bow on to the beach which at is of sand, and was lying out in the breakers, which swept her from stern to how continuously. Every shred of canvass had been blown off the yards but the masts were still standing and practically no damage was done to the vessel. The crew of 40 men and one passenger had ta ken to the boats when she struck and all had readied the shore safely, finding temporary accommodation in the. Maori fishing whares built close to this place. The Captain’s wife was amongst the ship’s company.

The coach was running down the her.eh ;it this time and the news of the wreck quickly spread. By the afternoon there were over SUO people on the spot;, many of whom came from as far as Waikanae ami Foxton. SALVAGE OPERATIONS. The weather moderated somewhat dining the afternoon, although still rough and the first and second mates with several sailors, returned to the vessel. ,Nothing could be done, however, except to remove some personal effects and no further attempt at. salvage was made for several months during which time most of the crew remained at the beach. At the end of that time three men, Messrs Bowe, Burcliley and another, trading as the Bowe, Burehley and Co., took the contract to deliver the railway material to Hartley’s Bend on the Manawatu River. The vessel was lying below low water mark and a cable was fixed to a position near the top of the foremast and attached to a post on the beach. The material was hoisted up to this cable by a donkey engine, and then ran down the cable on a cradle by its own weight. Two railway engines, a number of trucks and carriages, and

large quantities of wheels,and parts were taken out and.carried by bullock dray to the river. As the boat was lightened she drifted further ashore before the prevailing westerly wind and unfortunately no attempt was made to prevent this. ATTEMPT TO REFLOAT VESSEL ■Later a man named Ross took the job of floating the vessel and jiefunlly succeeded in getting her to a position where the. next high tide would float her. The Hyderabad was doomed, howFVer, for during that niglif a storm arose and fhe cable parting, she drifted ashore ngain, this time broadside on as she lies at present. THE BAST PHASE.. In this position she was sold for £l5O to a man., named Keltic, who made a further attempt to yetloal her. By this time she had a hole in her hull and had made a considerable quantity of sand and wafer. i engine was fixed to pump this out and was engaged on the work when the vessel caught lire and burnt out. Some plates were afterwards removed from the side hut work was abandoned as not payable.