DISASTROUS VOYAGE OF THE BRIGANTINE ARIEL FROM AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 99, 11 July 1843, Page 3

DISASTROUS VOYAGE OF THE BRIGANTINE ARIEL FROM AUCKLAND.

The Ariel, jCruickshank, which arrived here on Friday morning, sailed out from Auckland on the 2nd of June, .calling off the East Cape for a few days, for the purpose of trafficking with the numerous and wealthy natives of that district. There is an an chorage at Waiapou, but no shelter against tlie prevailing winds; and the shore, is most unpleasant for landing —most frequently it is either, very dangerous, or altogether impracticable, by reason of the surf. Any vessel proposing to trade here, should be provided with a good whale boat, and an efficient crew, to work it. Were there any safe harbour,, and convenient shore, in the neighbourhood, the vast plain from the Waiapou on the coast-to Mount - Iku-rangi, about twenty miles inland, would become one Of the most valuable portions of New Zealand : it is a delightful country, rich in prospect, well-watered, and most abundant in production. The Ariel's boat was sent ashore on the 14th of June, to arrange for the embarkation of two passengers and a boy, and a quantity of native produce, to be brought off’ early the following morning. The next day the Natives urged that the boat could not safely attempt to join the ship; nor would they, on any account, launch a canoe. However, after much persuasion, their objections were overcome, as far as regarded the boat, and. taking advantage of a temporary lull of the breakers, they assisted to launch her; the boat’s crew, three in number, worked bravely but ineffectually they had proceeded between thirty and forty yards from shore, and were then swamped. It was most gratifying to witness the conduct of the Maories the very moment they perceived danger threatening. Against their own judgment, they had yielded to the urgent importunities of the Pakeha ; still they hesitated not to offer ready and able assistance; a numerous body of Maories threw off their blankets and mats, and were instantly seen buffeting the mighty waves. When they reached the boat, their first care was to preserve the lives of the seamen ; two Natives escorted each sailor to shore, one of them on either hand; nor did they quit until they had seen them standing safe beyond the reach of the water. As soon as that was effected, their efforts were renewed, in order to bring to shore the pigs, boat, &c. A similar attempt on the ensuing day (June 16th) was attended with similar results, excepting that on this occasion one of the men, George Ross, was many hours before he thoroughly recovered from the. effects of the seawater. The Saturday was comparatively calm ; the Natives took off two loads to the Ariel, and were preparing for a third trip ; the sailors also considered they might aid with the boat, which .was once more committed to the waves ; they started when all was apparently still, but had not advanced above fifty yards, when one vast breaker began to rear its foaming summit; it burst over them and filled the boat, and broke an oaf. Poor Ross had expressed his conviction in the morning that he should be drowned that day; this presentment paralyzed his exertions ; and, haply weak, from the events of the . preceding days, he sank to rise no more. The Natives once again ventured through the increasing surf, and the Rev. Mr. Reay, one of the passengers, with difficulty persuaded them to take him on board. Though several times completely buried in the waves, they at last safely reached the Ariel. , For such a coast the paddle has a decided -advantage over the long oar of the European.

A violent storm from the S.W. set in on the 19th of June, and though short-handed, they were obliged to get under weigh, and were carried out to sea; the gale continued three days and nights. On the day of the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist, they had returned as far as to Open Bay, where they hoped to obtain help in the shape of fresh water and possibly a boat. For there is a whaling station just formed at Open Bay. A supply of water certainly was. sent,. but we gr>eve to say that one of the principals of the whaling party, grudged the use of a boat even to convey a couple - of casks of water from the shore to the vessel, a distance of perhaps a mile. The Ariel encountered another gale from the N.E. on the 26th June, and after beating about off the Kai-kores and being a couple of days at Port Underwood, has entered this harbour in a shattered condition; main-boom gone, larboard bulwarks carried aw'ay, mainsail and jib torn to tatters, foresail, foretop-gallant sail, and gaff-top-sail, all split—besides, the loss of anchor, chain cable, and a large proportion of pigs. Notwithstanding, through His mercy who alone can say to the winds and sea “ Peace, be still,” the lives of those on board were graciously preserved. . . We have much satisfaction in adding, that ilie Ariel reports an abundant supply of whales along the whole line of coast. There had been no arrivals of any consequence, nor was there any news of importance, at Auckland. The Tortoise was at anchor oiff the Waiheke Island, and was to sail for England direct the week after the Ariel’s departure. The widow and family of the late Governor Hobson were returning to England in the Tortoise .

(From the Nelsbn Examiner) , Another Colonial Reserve, being 50 acres of. Suburban Land, - situated in the South Suburban District, was sold! .by auction, yesterday, at the Company’s Stores. The price it fetched was 160/., and was purchased by Mr. Ward, who intends settling on it. We have been favoured with the sight of a New Zealand Journal of the 10th Dec. and a Colonial Gazette of the 30th of Nov. The Mary is advertised to positively sail from London , on the 14th of January, and from Portsmouth on the 20th.. The price for a cabin passage 50 guineas, fore cabin 20. Nothing is said of the sailing of the Tyne. The latest New Zealand dates are by way of India, namely, Wellington, June 25th, Nelson, June 11th. Distress to a great extent still prevails in the manufacturing districts of England and Scotland. An attempt to levy poor rates at Skibbereen, in Ireland, led to bloodshed.- Two men were killed and five wounded. The Rev. William Bailey, LL.D., has been charged at Bow Street with forging a promissory note for 2,87 51., and tampering with a poor Irishman with an offer of 80/. to swear to the signature. The worthy was remanded. A'Mr. E. J. Jordan, one of the clerks of the Joint Stock Bank Company, decamped with nearly 20,000/. A few days afterwards 19,415/. was returned with a penitential letter, leaving a deficiency of only 300/. The woman Bennett, charged with the murder of six illegitimate children at the Forest of Dean, noticed in a former number, has died in gaol. The French Government have signified a wish to reduce the amount of postage on letters passing to and from England and France. .