WRECK OF THE BARQUE ROBINA DUNLOP.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5116, 16 August 1877, Page 2

WRECK OF THE BARQUE ROBINA DUNLOP.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. (from ooe own correspondent.) Tcrakina, Wednesday. The following are particulars of the wreck of the barque Robiua Dunlop, given by Oapt. Graham :—The vessel left Wellington on Saturday, in ballast, and steered north. At ,4 p.m. on Monday found the ship close to land on the Middle Island, when ■ the weather caine on thick, with heavy squalls, and continued rough for some time. Finding the ship in the breakers, an attempt was made to beat off the land, but when veering round the stern took the ground, carrying away the rudder, rendering further effort in this direction quite useless. The ship labored'heavily, and in order to ease her the masts were cut away. All the time a very heavy sea was breaking over the ship. The first sea took away the boats, and shortly afterwards the deckhouse went. She, then heeled over seaward, and the cabin rapidly’ filled with water. Being unable all this time to see land, the weather was so thick, it was determined to stay by the wreck till daylight if possible. The captain remained in the rigging from the time, the ship struck till 6 o’clock the-next morning, when one of the hands swam ashore with a line, thus enabling the remainder to follow,, the captain being the last to leave the ship. The only articles saved were two chronometers. On reaching land search was made for habitations, and the crew came up to a Maori pa after a weary journey over sandhills., Here they were very hospitably treated. Nearly all of the crew had to-abandon the wreck with only half their clothing. The crew are expected up in the village to-day, where they will be supplied with everything they require by !the settlers, and will leave by the first opportunity for Wanganui. Thanks are due to the telegraphist at Turaldna, who remained at his! post up to a very late hour last night attending to telegrams to and from the agents and others interested in the matter.

(ter press agency.) ■ Wanganui, Wednesday. The Herald’s special reporter who was sent to the wreck of the Robina Dunlop says he saw the mate, who reports that the vessel left Wellington on Saturday morning.’ The pilot left at noon; the wind was N.W.; she was beating about the Strait all Sunday and Monday. On Monday afternoon at 4 o’clock, wind then being west, she was within two or three miles of Jackson Head. Put the ship about and; stood'off shore, steering N.N.W., and was expecting to fetch above Wanganui. At 8 p.m. saw breakers, and then threw ,the fore and main yards aback. The ship in hacking off | caught ; her keel, and carried away the rudder. -The seas 1 then commenced to break over her, washing the decks, and clearing off all moveable things. The ship now lies about one |mile north of the Turakina River. She is ‘ broken up into a thousand pieces. The only lk'rg!e7piSCe"visible is the" port quarter. The captain and Crew were in the rigging all night anditill eight on Tuesday morning, when one’ of the orqw swam ashore with a line, and all

the others followed. The captain saved two chronometers and the ships papers, but everything else has entirely gone. The Turakina correspondent of the Wanganui Herald, in writing of the wreck of the Eobina Dunlop, gives the following further particulars : —About 8 o'clock on the night of the 13th the weather became very dirty, and the vessel was driven on shore near Turakina River. The crew got off at 6 o’clock next morning by means of ropes, all safe, though much distressed. They were all hospitably received by Reupena Ke we tone at the native pa, and will arrive at Wanganui "to-day. MaivioN", Wednesday. ■ The captain and crew of the Robina Djmlop, which was wrecked off Turakina River, reached Reuben's pa on Monday evening, and were kindly treated by the natives, in return for which Captain Graham, by deed of gift, gave Reuben the wreck as she lies on the beach.