GREYMOUTH.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5224, 15 October 1885, Page 2

GREYMOUTH.

Last night. The Steamer "Wallace "Wrecked.

The Anchor line steamer Wallace, while coming in this afternoon, being very light, was caught on the top of a roller and thrown dangerously near the rock, and before she could regain her position in the channel, she was struck on the quarter and landed on the stone woik, where she lies full of holes. All the passengers and most of their luggage have been got ashore. There is connection between the ship and shore by means of planks and ropes. The heavy sea running and the southerly wind makes the vessel work on the stone a good deal. It is the opinion of experts and those who witnessed the accident that it was unavoidable. She was flying light, and when she was caught on the top of the big sea she bore towards the shore at a terrific rate. The jib was set with wonderful rapidity, but when on the top of the sea her rudder was out of the water ; at any time she was very sluggish in answering holm, and fears had been entertained that some day she might on that account get into difficulties in com\Dg here with a heavy sea running, as was the case to day. She was bo gooner on the stones than she was full of holes, so that when she rolled the water could be seen pouring out of the holes on her side. All the passengers and their luggage were safely landed, but the cargo has not yet been trucked- The captain and crew are now all ashore. She is fast with a chain to her bow and a hawser at her stern, and there are signs of the weather moderating. She may remain where she is intact, but if the weather becomes rough she will probably break away and sink in the channel. The Wallace is not insured, the Anchor Line Co. not insuring their boats. Peep sympathy is felt for Capt. Williams.