WRECK OF TWO VESSELS ON THE BAR.

West Coast Times, Issue 202, 12 May 1866, Page 4

WRECK OF TWO VESSELS ON THE BAR.

A shipping disaster, unequalled for a lengthened period on our shores, occurred on Friday, 4th May. Tho schooner Maria, of Melbourne, 160 tons rogistor, Captain John Robertson, sailed on the 15th of the previous month for this i port, with a vnluablo and general cargo on board. In consequence of this vessel having on a former voyage stranded at tho ontranco to tho river, causing her to be taken over tho spit ou ways, considerable fears woro entertained that hor extreme length and draught «f water would again result in accidout. Immediately on her coming in sight iv tho road' stead, on the morning of the 4Ui, communication was effected with her owners, who belong to this port. Every precaution seems to havo beon taken to onsuro her safo entrance. The most powerful tug-boat was omployod • Boundings wero takon of tho depth of Mater ,011 tho bar at various hours during tho forenoon, up to flood-tide. At noon the p.s. Lioness left the wharf to take in tow tho Maria j again ' aouudings wero taken, and water sufficient found on the bar. Arriving alongsido tho Maria sho put her warp on board, and with her tow in chargo mado for the bar. (Che tido at this time was on tho obb, still she got her chargo Bafoly through the outer break. On cros»ing, however, to the nuirow part of the channel, tho Maria took tho ground with her heel, and would no longer answor her holm, although the Lioness remained towing for a considerable timo aftor the Maria grounded. Every effort was used together off, but without success, oud.'.tho Irfonesi then returned to the wharf. Tho ownert of tho Maria, Messrs. Hall, Finlay, and Co., nt once made arrangements for despatching the cutter Lloyd's Herald to lighter her. Although this latter Veßsol was partially loaded for Okarita, sho landed her cargo- on the wharf again, and at

low tide was taken in tow by two whalo boats to where tho Maria lay aground. Unfortunately, howovor, in dropping down alongside tho schooner, tho sot of tho soa drovo hor across (ho Maria's bows, whero sho receivod considerable damage in hor stern. • At midnight, as tho tide tumod, it bocamo apparent Hint both tho Maria and Lloyd's Herald wcro drifting towards tho shoro. Tho larger vossol 1 was being lifted by tho breakers and hoavily striking tho ground, tho roll of tho surf gradually wearing hor nearer towards tho beach. Hot companion in misfortune, ♦ tho cutter, being ompty, was dragging her anchors, and fast driving with tho ect of tho current to tho north of tho Maria. Although tho sea during tho night was unusually calm, an hour afterwards both vessels wcro driven upon tho beach, just on tho edge of tho surf. As it now became ovidout nothing further could bo done to uavo tho unfortunate crafts, a ropo was connected with tho shore, by mean 3of which tho lumpers engaged to tranship portion of the Maria's cargo into the Lloyd's Herald, ns aleo tho crow, gainod tho shore Tho surf continued at intervals to break completely ovor tho starboard side of tho Maria, and by tho sand boing washed away from under tho iido exposed to tho soa, sho heeled outwards in a manner to cause apprehension that tho force of tho waves breaking unchecked on hor dock might got access to tho hold and wash out tho cargo, aa .happened with tho Sir Francis Drake, a veesol similarly circumstnncod about nino months ago. On tho fall of (ho iido noxt morning, which left tho Maria high and dry, tho httlchos were oponod, aud a gang of laborers commenced tho work of discharging, which was proceeded with during tho "two following days at low water. From tho damaged condition in which tho cargo was landed, it \vll3 evident tho ship was in a totally wrecked condition. Tho yoasol herself was twisted and strained in all directions, and leaky in every seam. The whole of tho cargo having been got ashoro by Monday ovouing, 7th iust., tho work of dismantling was commonced tho next day. Before evening nothing was loft standing but tho lower masts, tho, wholo of tho running rigging, sails, spars, boat?, anchors, Ac, being placed übovo high water mark on tho beach preparatory to boing Bold by public auction, on account of whom it might concern. Tho hull was sold for L3l. Tho rigging, sails, I blocks, boats, ship's stores, &0., being put up in separate lots and disposed of fit fair prices. Wo loam that both owners of tho ship and cargo arc but partially insurod, aud likely (o prove heavy losers by the miafortuno. Tho cutler after being driven nshoro on tho morning of the sth, in a greatly dumuged condition, was next moruiug placed on blocks, with the object of carrying her ovor the Spit. To tho owner of this handy craft, Mr 0. L. Throckmortou, tho loss must prove severe, as besides the damago to tho Lloyd's Herald, togcthor with tho cost of taking her along tho ways, ho losco his freight from tho Maria. The Maria is expected in a few tides to break up, and the Lloyd's Herald to bo alongside tho wharf for repairs.