WRECK OF THE PERTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1921, Page 10

WRECK OF THE PERTH.

A DANGEROUS BAR. MANY PREVIOUS WRECKS. Anent the wreck of the Perth on the Greymouth bar the other day. it may be remembered that Greymoutli is one of the most dangerous ports in New Zealand to navigate a vessel in or out, owing to its narrow entrance and exposed position. The width of the entrance between the inner north ana the south breakwater is only 400 ft., with a tidal wall in the river, commencing near the entrance. Almost any wind from the north-west to south-west will raise a considerable sea on the bar. and should the slightest accident happen to a vessel’s steering gear or engines when crossing the bar there is a chance of the ship drifting ashore near either breakwater or on the beach. How dangerous is the entrance is shown by the fact that at least 42 shipping accidents have occurred there, resulting in the total loss of 22 vessels. The following is a list of the shipping mishaps which have occurred at Greymouth: 1865 or 1R66 the steamer Eleanor, the schooner Christina Thompson and the cutter Swan were all lost. September 18, 1806, the schooner Excelsior, while being towed out, was wrecked and became a total loss. .July 18, 1867, brigantine Harriet, total lossNovember 5, 1867. steamer Charles Edward, stranded, was got oft’. November 9, 1867, schooner Cymraes, total loss. June 9, 1868, schooner Louisa, total loss. July 15, 1868, brigantine, Pat the Rover, total loss. August 22, 1868, ketch, Jane Elkin, total loss. July 1, 1869, steamer Bruce, total loss. September 8, 1869, ketch, Pearl, total loss. August 24, 1870, ketch, Constant, total loss. November 5. 1870, steamer Wallabi, stranded; got off. June 22, 1874, steamer "Waipara, stranded; got off. December 14, 1874, steamer Kennedy, stranded; got off. September 14, 1875, steamer Kennedy, stranded; got off. September 24. 1875, steamer Waipara, stranded; got off. February 5, 11876, brigantine Mary Bannatyne, stranded; got off. March 1, 1876, steamer Lioness, stranded; got offDecember 1, 1876, ketch Forest Queen, stranded; got off. June 12, 1877, steamer Wallace, stranded; got off. June 17, 1877, schooner Mary Ogilvie, stranded; got off. August 23, 1877, schooner St. Kilda, stranded; got off. September 25, 1877, ketch Argus, stranded; got off. September 111, 1879, steamer Charles Edward, stranded; got off. July 16, 1880, steamer Kennedy, stranded; got off. September 8, 1880, schooner Alma, stranded; got off. September 1, 1882, steamer Lioness, total loss. December 22, 1884, steamer Queen of the »South, total loss. October 14, 1885, steamer Wallace, total loss. July 3, 1886, steamer Wallabi. stranded; got off. November 29, 1886, steamer Mawhera, stranded; got off by relaunching. June 23, 1888, steamer Gerda, total loss. August 7, 1895, barque Thurso, total loss. October 1, 1898, steamer Mapourika, stranded; got off. October 3, 1890, steamer Heaketh. stranded; total loss. July 16, 1000, steamer Taupo (No. 2), total loss. October 30, 1908, steamer Hawea (No. 2), total loss. June 27, 1910, steamer Lauderdale, total loss.