WRECK OF THE CUTTER DIDO.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 278, 23 November 1877, Page 2

WRECK OF THE CUTTER DIDO.

The Lady Barkly, which arrived from Goldeu Bay last evening, brought over the crew of the. cutter Dido, which was wrecked at Totaranui on Tuesday last. The Dido Captain Macfarlane, left Wellington on NoTember sth for Collingwood aaci West Wanganui, having on board two engines, one for "the Phoenix Company at the former place, and the other for the West Wanganui Coal Company. She reached Collingwood on the 12th, and having safely landed the engine for that place, set sail for West Wanganui on the 17th. The Spit was rounded on the following day, and at four o'clock oa Monday ttibrning'the vessel was 4 miles off the bar. Shortly afterwards it commenced to blow hard from the N.W., and as the barometer vraa falling, and there was erery indication

of a gale, the master determined to run for Totoranui. The mainsail was double-reefed and under this the vessel jogged along to Totaranui, wh£re she arrived during the day aud came v to ah anchor^ On Tuesday a strong breeze from the S.E! set in, an<J the Dido got away with a double-reefed Mainsail, but shortly afterwards missed, stays. Both anchors were let go, but before they could bring the vessel up she touched on a rock, carryiug away the rudder, and breaking the sternpost. She then commenced bumping heavily, and was very soon hard and fast on the wrecks. Mr Moore, a passenger, immediately jumped on to the rocks and got to the shore, and was followed by Captain Hubberaty, who got to the shore by means of a line. Mr G. Gibbs and several others then came down to the vessel, and with their assistance the clothes of the crew were safely landed. At low water as much cargo as possible was got out of the hold, after which all hands, went v to Mr Gibbs' place, where they received' tb!e greatest' kin'd. - uess.. On the following morning the crew returned to the vessel and found her'in the sajfie 3 position, the water being up to the combings of the hatchway.. ,;Onf,th&; La.dy, Barkly cpming up yesterday' morning,— '-Ca'pftda Walker and % Ross, the engineer,- held a survey on the vessel, after which the steamer came on tor Nelson, bringing the-: cretviand passengers with her. The Dido is insured in the Union Insurance Company for .£4OO, and the engine in the 'same Office for £700. 'An ' enquiry into the cause of the wreck; was commenced th|s morning before the Collector. : of Customs, bu,t it had not terminated at the time of our going to press. . „