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Southland Times, Issue 709, 14 August 1867, Page 2

The Wbecks at Oamabtj aitd the North Through the courtesy of Mr F. Coxhe&d, of Jetty street, we are furnished with the following telegrams, received yesterday from Ohristchurch : — " The Vixen is a total' wreck, thirty miles from Christchurch. Great fears are expressed as to the safety of the crew." A telegram from Oamaru to Mr Coxhead, also reports the loss of the Vixen and adds, " the Mary Anne Christina is on shore at Ninety-mile Beach. Nothing heard of the Edward and Christopher; she got a better offing." Subsequent report says that two of the crew of the Vixen were drowned. The following additional particulars of the wrecks on the beach at Oamaru, are furnished by the " Oamaru Times" of Friday : — "The weather, which during the last ■week was unusually fine, changed on Monday last, when a heavy gale eetin from the S.E.. with a very low temperature ; the sea ran very high, and early onTuesdaymorningCapt. Sewell, thin king the roadstead unsafe, hoisted the blue peter as a signal for the shipping to run to sea. The Excelsior and the Coquette quickly took the hint and stood out, hauling close to the wind. The other vessels taking no notice, Capt. Sewell hoisted further signals, intimating that delay was dangerous, when the Mary Ann Christina, Vixen, Edward and Christopher, and Anne, lifted anchor and ran out. The Vistula, Midlothian, and Hope, remained at their anchors in the hope of riding out the gale. About 7.30 on Wednesday morning the Midlothian had drifted considerably to the westward, and her sails being split, it was considered advisable to run her ashore, which was done at a sandy part of the beach without damage to the Tessel, and her cargo was quickly removed in good condition by drays. She now lies high and dry, and, we believe, no difficulty is anticipated in launching her again when the gale subsides, The Vistula, Captain Paton, a smart brigantine from Auckland, of about 130 ton3- register, parted her chain cables about half-past five in the morning (she had two anchors down), and was allowed to drift ashore, the captain being , below, and all hands, except the ship's cook, in their bunks. Captain Paton is greatly blamed for not having made sail and attempted to put to sea when the cables parted. No such effort was made, the vessel being allowed to come ashore without shaking out a sail. In justice to Captain Paton, it should however be stated that he thought he had not sufficient ballast aboard to weather the gale ; but on the r>ther hand those competent to give an opinion say that having between 50 or 60 tons of cargo on board, the effort should have been made, The Vistula came ashore nearly opposite the Scotch Chuich, lying with tier decks to seaward, and during Wednesday Captain Sewell was indefatigable in endeavouring to turn the vessel so as to present her keel to the breakers. In consequence of the rotten state of her cables, which parted several times under the strain, this was not effected, and she was necessarily left to her fate, Later In the afternoon, however, fresh efforts were made, and were ultimately successful, the Tessel beiug brought to an upright position, and her cargo discharged. About 7 on Thursday morning, the Hope, which had hitherto ridden out the gale, brought her anchor home and was run ashore without damage, nearly opposite the Northern Hotel. Her cargo, which consisted exclusively off timber, was discharged in good condition, xhe gale and sea somewhat subsided during the day, and as we believe neither of the vessels has sustained any serious injury, we hope to see them ere long afloat agam, little the worse for their mishap. — " Otago Times"