WRECKS AT THE BLUFF.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1561, 25 September 1886, Page 2

WRECKS AT THE BLUFF.

Bitot, Sept 24. Two wrecks occurred at the Bluff list Thursday night, viz., the topsail schooner Maid of Otago, 60 tom, trading between Dunedin and Riverton, and the Qovejpn-Jl ment schooner Kekeno. The formcy vessel was bound to 'Riverton with general cargo from Dunedin; and the ' Kekeno was returning to port after a three months’ cruise at the outlying islands. Shortly before midnight a strong easterly wind sprang up, which rapidly increased to a perfect gale, tilth an intensely dark night. The Kekeno J was the first.to enter port and'reached the lower anchorage; shortly after-midnight. Sails were furled and aii anchorJfet go, but owing to the gale the chain' was broken and the vessel was driven ashofe. The Kekeno now, at high water, is standing upright with the sea washing over her and bumping heavily and will not last long if the wind continues. The tug Awtirua went to her assistance at daylight on Friday morning, and the crew

with their clothing wer« tsken on board the steamer and landed at the wharf. Captain Greig, formerly harbormaster here, was master of the JCekeno, and was thoroughly acquainted with the port. The Maid of Otago, Captain Fraser, owing t© the heavy gale, was running into port for shelter. As she neared the red light at Stirling Point, the captain Was evidently deceived by the distance of the land and bugged the point too closely, and io consequence is supposed to have struck on the rocks where the s.s. Pelham was wrecked. Blue lights were burnt by the crew, which the nightwatchman replied to. The pilot boat whs launched immediately and the crew were taken off and landed at the pi'ot rtition. ..The master and crew lost all iheir effects, and bad it not been for the pilot boat, lives would in nil probability have bfen lost. The schooner has since broken up, and at 8 a.tn. no appearance was to be seen of the bull. The beach is strewn with cargo and portions of the vessel. The insurances are not known here but the Maid of Otago and cargo is supposed to be covered'n Dunedin. The Kekeno Is not know" t < he insured.