WRECK OF THE KORANUI.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1950, 1 October 1889, Page 4

WRECK OF THE KORANUI.

Nelson, Sept. 27. ( The s.s. Koranui, 48,7 tons* 400hj.p. nominal, was wrecked off the Beef Barrels this morning. The craw and passengers were brought to Nelson by the Rotorua. Captain Hill states that ha left Nelson at 10 o’clock last night |in thick weather and drizzling rain, He slowed the engines, occasionally stopping stopping them, and a glimpse of land was got now and then. The steamer was well off the land when he saw the French Pass light. He was on the bridge, and he shaped a course at right angles for it. > After being 'on the course a short time, and about 2 a.m,, the steamer struck lightly on a rock, supposed to be the outer edgejof the Beef Barrels. She commenced ito make water, and he ordered but the boats, and the passengers, crew, ahd mails were put in. There was a fresh S.B. wind and chopping sea. Knowing that the Rotorua would be coming through the Pass he determined jto stay by the Koarnui. With that view the boats were made fast to the wre'ck under lee of the stern. After being there over an hour the vessel began to settle down. The boats then pulled in the direction of the land.

A passenger made the following statement“ We left Nelson about 11 p.m. I turned in, and about 2 a.m. heard a terrific crash. I rushed on deck, and heard the chief mate shout ‘We are on the Beef Barrels,’ All the passengers and crew were called. We fired the guns, and sent up several rockets. The ladies were then put in a boat, in charge of the chief matje. The ladies behaved admirably., A heavy sea was running at the time. The next boat was filled with men, in charge of the second mate. Tbe third boat contained the remainder of the crew. Tbe captain was the last to leave the ship. The boats rowed astern, connected with the steamer by rope. We could hear the steamer bumping up against the rocks. We then saw her settle in the water, and we cut the painters. We then rowed towards the Pass. This was ait 2.30 a.m. We fired another blue light, and kept pulling till 5.30, when we sighted tbe Botorua. About 6 we came alongside the Botorua, and she brought us to Nelson.” The Koranui was valued at £IO,OOO, and was insured for £2OOO in the Colonial office, the balance being underwritten by the Union Company.

It is understood that there are two parcels of gold on board the Koranui; one parcel from Hokitika of the value of £9480, and the other from Greymouth, of the value of £11,520. The gold is insured for full value with the New Zealand Company, which has part of the risk reinsured. The vessel had on board 380 tons coal, 10 tons coke, 1450 fire bricks, and 30 tons general cargo. The vessel lies in 60 feet of water, with only the tops of the masts showing. The captain thinks the gold may be recovered, as it is in his cabin on deck, but nothing else. The Koranui will be sold by auction on Wednesday. Divers left yesterday to secure the gold.