THE WRECK OF THE ANN GAMBLES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 125, 27 May 1878, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE ANN GAMBLES.

The Dunedin correspondent of the Post telegraphs as follows : — The following is the captain's account of the loss of the Ann Gambles : — " She was an ironjbarque of 424 tons register, built at Worthington 16 years ago, and chartered by the New Zealand Shipping Company for this voyage. * * * * The breeze held until she crossed the 25 th parallel on 23rd March, and thence to the 35th parallel had fresh variable winds, but after that had average winds and weather until 300 miles off the New Zealand coast, when a furious gale came on, and whilst laboring in a heavy sea, the barque lost her fore:topgallant ma3t and fore-yard. It took a couple of days to clear away the wreck and secure the fore-yard. From thence until May 15th, when she sighted the S.W. Cape, very bad weather was encountered. It was blowing a hurricane, with thick weather on the 15th, and the ship was close in shore when the land was sighted, and great difficulty was experienced in clearing off. Once it was feared she must go on shore. She, however, eseaped, and after weathering the land hove to for better weather. Next day she hove away and passed the Solanders at nooD, with the whole of the gale after her. As she drew up with the Bluff sail was shortened, and as the night was clear, with a bright moon, Captain Morgan determined to make for the Bluff. As she rounded Starting Point the foresail was taken off her, and both anchors were let go, the foretopsail being still on the barque. Just then the - master avers that a heavy squall struck her, and before the anchors could bite she was driven upon the rocks at Te Waus Point, and the tide acting on her she swung broadside on. No signal was made for the pilot, but the barque having been observed from the shore, Pilot Smith went of to her at once and found her hard and fast on the rocks. Nothing could be be done to aid her, as it was blowing so furiously, but the pilot stayed on board all night, and the pilot boat remained by her. When she was boarded it was high water, and the tide flowed into her. She was full from the aft to the fore peak of the water-tight bulk-head. She is fitted with two bulk-heads, but one gave way under pressure, and so the vessel filled. The Anne Gambles was full of general cargo, including the long expected and much required plant for the Invercargill Gas Company. She was manned with a crew of fourteen hands all told, including the master and four apprentices." I have not been able to ascertain

much respecting the insurances. The barque is herself underwritten at Home, and of her cargo £2560 worth is on the books of the -New Zealand Company, and it is said that another portion is insured in the Victoria for £1200, whilst some risk has been taken by the National or South Australia. The declared value of the cargo at Home was £105,000.