WRECK OF THE BARQUE "LOUISA CAMPBELL." [From the Nelson Examiner, May 22.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 192, 2 June 1847, Page 2

WRECK OF THE BARQUE "LOUISA CAMPBELL." [From the Nelson Examiner, May 22.]

On Saturday evening last a boat arrived from Massacre Bay, bringing intelligence of the total wreck of the Louha Campbell on the sand spit near Gape Farewell. The facts connected with this accident we have since learned to be these :—: — The Louisa Campbell was bound to Nelson from Auckland, and had called at Taranaki on her way to leave a portion -of the cargo which she had brought f r om London. She left the roadstead of Taranaki on Sunday evening, the 9th instant ; but the wind being very light, she made but little way that night. On Monday the 10th, she had a fair wind, and carried 4.11 sail. At noon, Captain Darby got an observation, which enabled him to ascertain, as he thought, his true position. Towards evening, land was seen on the starboard bow, which the captain supposed was Separation Point : and remarked, that the vessel had sailed faster than he had calculated on." He then decided on standing on a little longer, and afterwards heave to for the night. The weather was rather thick, so that distant objects were not clearly discernible. About six o'clock while tea was being served .in the cuddy, .the vessel st uck, and the bow was found to have grounded en a sand-bank, while the stern was in de p water. As the tide fell — for she struck about the time of high water — part of her was left nearly dry. It was not until daylight the next morning that those on board discovered where they were- They then found themselves on the sandy peninsula about two miles from ('ape Farewell, which is several miles to the westward of their proper course. Efforts were now made to save the cargo ; but a gale of wind springing up, soon broke the vessel to pieces, and scattered the cargo up and down the peninsula for a distance of eight miles. About one half the cargo has been saved, but nothing belonging to the ship. So complete is the vt reck, that not a plank or timber remains entire, the whole having been broken into two or more pieces by the heavy surf which rolls in on the shore. On Monday, two or three small craft left Nelson for Massacre Bay, to bring over whatever has been saved ; but, as everything has to be carried two or three miles across the bank .to be put on board, the loading has not been very exped tious. The maories from the neighbourhood have lent their assistance, and behaved very well on tht occasion.

We are unwilling to pass any opinion, on the affair, as we would rather first hear Captain Darby's own statement. We are told that he is of opinion that Cape Farewell is laid down thirty miles too far to the eastward; but this, if true, must apply to all other portions of the neighbouring coast. We hope for his own sake that he will be able to show that there was nothing culpable on his part. The following is a list of the cargo saved : — 1 cask bottled porter, C—l 9C — 19 cases wine, R W — 1 hhd. ale, 2 barrels ditto, B H W—Z packages paper, E—sE — 5 qr. casks wine, M — 3 qr. casks wine, 0 B S — 4 qr. casks wine, 0 P—sP — 5 qr. casks wine, a double-diamond — 1 cask, 1 qr. cask, 1 bale, 2 kegs nails, 1 case, 15 MS — 13 hhds. wine, J and B and C— B cases wine, H H Byre — 25 tins oil, W W T— 50 boxes glass, B and H and B and H — 1 cask. WRHvlh,—\ case, F D Bell— lease slops, HMHDay — 17 dozen and -5 spades, C S R — 1 case, J Packer — 1 case, William Wigzell — • 1 trunk, A Hort — 2 cases, T—lT — 1 case, Captain Henierkon — 1 case, Francu Jones — 1 case OfWS — 3 cases, V M S—lS — 1 case, Rev. R. 'laylor — peases, B R FT— 23 casks wine, 29 hhds. spirits, H— 2 cases, Knox — 1 case, William White— l case, Holroyd—l case. N Z C—lC — 1 case, William R.x — 3 cases, W F J— 4 hhds. beer, C P—\ cask, HI — 1 box, J B — 8 cases mustard and pickles, BBW — 200 blankets, 9 Scotch plaids, 2 pieces calico, 2 ditto prints, 4 case wine, torn.