WRECK OF THE BARQUE CARLOTTA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5521, 6 December 1878, Page 7

WRECK OF THE BARQUE CARLOTTA.

Oiq of tho strongest north-west galci that has swept across our harbor for some time was experienced on Friday and Saturday. It is seldom that a mishap takes place in tho harbor or the entrance. This time, however, wo have to chronicle the wreck of tho barque Carlotta, which vessel now lies a hopeless wreck close under the lighthouse. Shortly after 7 o’clock on Saturday morning “A vessel on shove” was signalled fioui the H-ads. Half an hour aftci wards Captain Halliday, harbormaster, received a telegram to the effect that the barque Carlotta was on tho rocks close to the lighthouse, and that there was no chance of her getting off unless a steamer came to her assistance. Captain Halliday at once communicated with tho Marine Department, and tho getsteamupand bo in readiness to proceed to the scone of the disaster. An hour later t ic following telegram received from the Heads: —“Tho vessel is close in. Tho evow arc not in any danger; they can got asho r o by jumping on tho rockr. A steamer would be of no use now. Tho sea is washing right over the vosso l . She went ashore at tho top of high tido. She is breaking up. The pilot is on board.” Later again in tho afternoon it was tho intention of tho Government to s-nd the Stella round, but from farther telegraphic information, and the increasing wind. it was considered that tho steamer would bo of no use. Wo obtained tho following report of the barque’s passage from the time she le.*t Newcastle until she went ashore, from Captain Raynor She loft Newcastle on the 3ist October with 420 tors cargo consigned to Captain Wilhams. For the first portion of tho passage fine weather with northerly winds wore experienced ; in fai.t very favorable weather was met with until within 200 miles off this coast. Capo Farewell was made about daylight last Friday, and passed the Capo at noon. Stephens Island was parsed at a quarter pastS, and Teriwiti afc- 4-on Saturday morning. She arrived off tho Heads at 0 o'clock, with tho wind blowing hard from tho north-west, and the ship stood clo-o in to Banat-s Beef. She was then put about and was clo.o hauled, standing over to tho cast shove. When within tho ordinal/ distance from tho land tho shiu was put about, •vlien sho unfortunately missed stays. Her starboard anchor was at once let go, but the vessel had too much way on her, and tho cable, a very strong one, parted, and sho drifted bodily ashore, stem onThere was one of the heaviest seas running that has been seen for many years, and each roller broke clean over her stern, completely filling her with water. Fortunately her bows were so near tho rocks that everybody on board was ablo to land with but little clifllculty. Her master was enabled to save all tho ship’s pap: charts, and chronometers. She now lies what mav bo called a perfect wreck, as the heavy gale of Saturday night raised such a sea as bumped her heavily on tho rocks. Captain Kayncr says that yesterday morning the vessel was full of water, and that a considerable quantity of timber was washed ashore. At tho came time, however, ho could not say definitely whether her bottom was damaged or not. Somo of tho sailors, however, state that she has a hole in her bottom that a horse and cart could go through. Her masts and spars are aU standing, and had they not been good and staunch they must have gone by tho board, as every sea that rol’s in lifts her and bumps her heavily on tho rocks. Tho Carlota is a wooden barque of 310 tons resistor. Sho was built at Quincy, United States, in the year ISSO and is therefore a tolerably old vessel of 22 years. Sho was recently bought by Captain Williams of tlvs port and has made several successful trips from this port to Newcastle and back. She is insured in the Victoria office for £IOOO, £SOO of which is reinsured in the Globe. Tho cargo is insured for £4OO in tho Victoria. Tho steamer Manawatu anchored under tho lighthouse on Sunday morning, and brought the captain, his wife, and crow in to Welkngton