LOSS OF THE SCHOONER OHETI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 237, 3 November 1876, Page 2

LOSS OF THE SCHOONER OHETI.

The Argus of the 27th ultimo says :— Captain Nelson, with the crew of the wrecked schooner Oreti, arrived in town this juorning, and he has kindly furnished us with the following particulars of the occurance: - The anchor was hove up at 6.30 on Satur»luy afternoon in Queen Charlotte Sound, the tide then running at half Hood, and the wind Wowing light variable mostly southed v, continuing: from that direction till 8 o,clock that •evening. It then veered round to the northward, but was of such a calm character that Captaiu xVelson found it necessary to burn lucifers during the whole watch of four hours to discern its exact quarter. At about 10 o'clock Captain Nelson states that he saw the Brothers between S.E by E., and that the vessel was at that time heading for Jackson's Head, E. by N. Just at that time the ebb tide set in, and carried the vessel sideways right on the White Koeks. He also states that ha was unable to discern the rocks, they being obstructed from his view by the mainland. Immediately she struck, heel first,

afterwards swinging broadside on the rocks, the sails were hauled down aud a large kedge anchor from the bow, with a new line attached, was run out and taken to the windlass, all bauds rendering all aid to try aud heave the vessel off; but it was found after a deal of exertion, that the tide had left very quickly, and the task had to be given up. Soon after the wind suddenly sprang up from the N.W., and the position of affairs began to look c -itical. A consultation then took place between the captain and crew, and it was decided that the mate aud cook should remain on the rocks, while the captain, with his wife aud three seamen, went in the ship's boat to the residence of a Mr Turner, in the Sound, for assistance. During their departure two large whale boats, fully manned, called at the wreck and rendered all the assistance that lay in their power.