Star of the South Wrecked

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 314, 25 December 1884, Page 2

Star of the South Wrecked

[Own Correspondent.] Greymouth, December 23. The s.s. Star of the South in attempting to come over the bar this morning was caught by the current and swung round. The captain got up sail and endeavored to extricate himself from the difficulty, but was unable to make any headway, Lhe vessel is now touching the stonework with her bow just at the entrance, rising and falling with the swell, and striking each time, but apparently she is at present without any damage. Her sails are set and steam up. A crowd ashore passed two spars aboard and a man handed the children ashore. After striking on the stone-work a couple of spars were stretched from the shore, and Mrs. Blackie and six children were got ashore. An extra chain and ropes were then made fast, and all the rest of the paesengers, officers, and crew were sent ashore ; after which the crew commenced discharging carge, but before much had been discharged the Harbor-master considered it dangerous to remain on board, as the steamer might slip off and carry away her moorings, when all hands might possibly be lost. Work was then stopped. December 24. The Star of the South was not touched eesterday. She is steadily sinking down the stone slope, and alteodgh the stern must have been resting on the bottom for some time, she still sinks, as if a scour was at work around the stern. Cargo was washing out of her hold all day yesterday, but the hull has apparently received no damage as yet. The boats have floated away. One sunk but has since been recovered. Two surveys were held yesterday, and in each case it was considered unsafe to remain on board.