NELSON.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 469, 30 January 1850, Page 3

NELSON.

Loss op the " Edward Stanley." — We have the unpleasant duty of recording the loss of another of the coasting craft of the colouy. The Edward Stanley, a smart little schooner of 22 tons, left Wanganui for Nelson on Thursday, the 3rd instant, in ballast, with a crew 6f~four hands and three passengers ; namely, J. Nixon, Esq., of Nelson, Mr. G. Taylor, who also formerly resided here, and Mr. Duncan, of Wanganui. When off the Croixelles, on Friday afternoon, about ten miles from the shore, the wind at the lime blowing very strong from Vf. N. W. the vessel was struck by a heavy sea, which threw Tier on her beam ends, and shifted the ballast. It was immediately seen by those ou board that there was no chance of the vessel righting, as she immediately began to settle down, and the only possibility of escape was by a small dingy, which the vessel carried. The little boat was therefore instantly launched, but being driven under the mast as it lay over the side, she filled with water. The boat bad then to be drawn up the side of the sinking vessel, and launched a second time, fortunately with better success. Five of (be persons on board now stowed themselves in the bottom of the boat, and the capttin took his place at the, stern with one paddle, and one of the men at the bow with the other. The object of this was to keep the bow of the boat to the wind, and let her drift before it, as any change from this position must, in such a sea, have led to her being immediately swamped, and the destruction of the lives of the whole party. For about four hours the boat was in this most helpless position, those. wh<J were setting in the bpttorn "employing themselves in 'baling out the water with their hats as it came rushing over the gunwales. A.t last, by aid of the wind and the set of the tide, the boat most fortunately drifted into Croixelles harbour, where, on reaching smoother water, the

crew were able to put h;r about, and pull for the shore, but it was even then necessary for the captain to hold his blue shirt over the stern, to prevent her being swamped by the waves. On reaching the shore, the natives acted with the utmost kindness towards the party, and as the schooner Catherine was there about to load with timber, she was chartered to bring all hands to Nelson, where they arrived on Sunday morning last. From the suddenness whh which, the accident occurred, and the rapidity with which the vessel filled, (she went down alraoit instantly after the boat left her), not a single thing was saved by any one on board but the clothes which they had on at the time. A subscription has been opened for providing the crew with a few articles of clothing in lieu of those which they lost, and also to make a small present to the Maories for the kindness shown by them. The Edwatd Stanley was the property of Messrs. Taylor and Watf, of Wanganui.— -Nelson Examiner. The Comet has made another successful run of twelve days from Sydney, and brought 660 sheep and nine ho.ses. Captain Cork, with his accustomed good fortune, lost only five or six sheep on the voyage. — Nelson Examiner, Dec. 29. Launch. — A fine little schooner of 25 tons, named the Rapid, was launched this morning from Freeman's yard. She is built with a spacious floor, almost like a barge, to allow, of the stowage of wool, and it is calculated that she will carry between sixty and seventy bales,- and yet only draw three feet of water. She is therefore admirably adapted for going into the Wairau, or any similar river. — Ibid.