LOSS OF THE CUTTER “BROTHERS.”

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 34, 25 November 1842, Page 2

LOSS OF THE CUTTER “BROTHERS.”

We regret exceedingly, that we are called upon to publish the following distressing occurrence to one of our coasters :

On the morning of the 10th instant, as the Brothers , Captain Bruce, was proceeding up the harbour at Akaroa, under close-reefed mainsail, and in sight of the shipping, a tre-*. mendous whirlwind rushed down the mountains and instantly turned her over, keel upwards, and she sank in about a quarter of an hour. Providentially, for those on board, the boat on deck was unlaslied, and all on board, with the exception of a woman and two children, who were below at the time, got into her. The boat, which was hut a dingy, with 11 persons in her, with some risk and difficulty succeeded in reaching the French man-of-where they were most kindly received by ‘the Commodore, Mons. Lavaud, who immediately gave the assistance of his crew; and Captain Bruce having obtained the aid of the Brig Guide, attempted to weigh the vessel and succeeded in getting hold of her, but through mismanagement the Guide’s chain in swinging took a round turn on the Cutter’s mainmast, and dragged it out of her. The attempt to weigh the vessel was iri consequence abandoned, having sunk in 9 fathoms water. Captain Bruce was about returning to this Port, having completed his lading of oil and hone. Captain Bruce is one of our oldest traders, and since the purchase ol the Brothers had made this place his home. He estimates his loss at 2000/. and, alter years of toil and industry, will be obliged to commence the world again. This is another serious loss to the settlement.

We understand that Captain Smith had made some valuable and important discoveries, and had taken a great many sketches, all of which, we regret to learn, are lost. They arrived about midnight at Captain Rhodes’, in a small sealing boat belonging to Mr. Price of Piraki.