WRECK OF THE BLANCHE.—NARROW ESCAPE OF THE CREW.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 121, 28 February 1872, Page 3

WRECK OF THE BLANCHE.—NARROW ESCAPE OF THE CREW.

Information readied town on Alonday of the total wreck of the cutter Blanche at AA’liananaki, during the recent north-east gale. It appears that the cutter, which left here about the ltith or 17th instant, arrived at AVhanamiki on the 19th ; the wind at this time was blowing fresh from the E.N.E. In the afternoon of that day the wind increased, blowing from the N.E., a high sea commencing to set into the hay. Both anchors were let go. During the night the wind and sea increased, and at daylight on the 20th there was a perfect hurricane blowing, with a tremendous sea running. At about 10 o’clock the cutter broke away from her anchors, and she began to drift towards the shore. By this time a number of the residents had assembled on the beach to render what assistance they could to the men on hoard. About 10 minutes after the vessel broke adrift she struck on the rocks, and the two men, seeing that the Blanche would in a very few moments hi in pieces, jumped overboard, and attempted to make for the shore, but owing to the very heavy sea on, they no sooner got near the beach than the underflow of the waves would carry them out again. Three Maoris on the beach, each with a rope tied round him, plunged into the water just ns tho men were again being carried in on the top of a sea, and caught them ; and those on shore hauled on the ropes, and landed the men safely ashore. The two men from the cutter were very much exhausted, and were hardly able to walk, and there is very little doubt had it not been for the plucky conduct of the three Alaoris they would never have been able to reach the shore alive. The cutter tiad in the meantime broken into pieces, nml become a total wreck. 81ic was owned by Dr Pcrston and Mr Hutchison, and was uninsured.— Cron*.