WRECKS ON THE EAST COAST.

West Coast Times, Issue 591, 16 August 1867, Page 6

WRECKS ON THE EAST COAST.

The following particulars of the wrecks on the beach at Oamaru are furnished by the " Oamaru Time 9 " of the 2nd instant : —

"The weather, which during the last week was unusually fine, changed on Monday last, when a heavy gale set in from the S.E., with a very low temperature. The sea ran very high, and early on Tuesday morning Captain Sewell, thinking the roadstead unsafe, hoisted the blue peter as a signal for the shipping to run to sea. The Excelsior and tho Coquette quickly took the hint, and stood out, hauling close to the wind. Tho other vessels taking no notice, Captain Sewell hoisted further signals, intimating that delay was dangerous, when the Mary Ann Christina, Vixen, Edward and Christopher, and Anne, lifted anchor and ran out. The Vistula, Midlothian, and Hope, remained at thoir anchors, in the hope of riding out the gale. About 7.30 on Wednesday morning, the Midlothian had drifted considerably to the westward, and her sails being split, it was considered advisable to run her ashore, which was done at a sandy part of the beach without damage to the vessel, and her cargo was quickly removed in good condition by drays. " She now lies high and dry, and, wo believe, no difficulty is anticipated in touching her again when the gale subsides. The Vistula, Captain Paton, a smart brigantine from Auckland, of about 130 tons register, parted her chain cables about half-past five in the morning (she had two anchors down), and was allowed to drift ashore, the captain being below, and all hands except the ship's cook in their bunks. Captain Paton is greatly blamed "for not having made sail und attempted to put to sea when tho cables parted, No such effort was made, the vessel being allowed to come ashore without shaking out a sail. In justice to Captarn Paton, it should, however, it should be stated that ho thought he had not sufficient ballast aboard to weather the gale ; but on the other hand those competent to give an opinion, say that having between fifty or sixty tons of cargo on board, the effort should have been made. The Vistula came ashore nearly opposite the Scotch Church, lying with her decks to seaward, and during Wednesday Captain Sowell was indefatigable in endeavoring to turn the vessel so as to present her keel to tho breakers. In consequence of the rotten state of her cables,whicli parted s.everal times under the strain, this was not effected, and she was necessarily left to her fate. Later in the afternoon, however, fresh efforts were made, and were ultimately successful, the vessel being brought, to an upright position, and her cargo discharged. About 7 on Tlmrsday morning, the Hope, which had hitherto ridden out the gale, brought her anchor home and was ruu* ashoro without damage, nearly opposite the Northern Hotel. Her cargo which consisted exclusively of timber, was discharged iv good condition. The gale aud sea somewhat subsided during the day, and as we believe neither of tho vessels has sustained any serious injury, we hope to see them ere long afloat again, little tho worse for their misliup. The same paper of a late date states that a letter from Mr John Russell, master of the schooner Anne, dated " Little Akaroa Bay," is just received, requesting that the safe arrival of the Auuo aud Excelsior may be reported; They are completely out of provisions aud water, having been driven from Oamaru during the late gale. Captain Russell can give no tidings of any of the seven vessels driven from Oamaru at the same time with the Anne. He experienced the full force of the gale, accompanied with snow and sleet, and the vessels wero exposed for seven days lo great hardships. A survey was held on the Vistula on Friday. The cuptain was recommended to send down his top hampe v and to lighten the vessel as much as possible, with a view to launching her as soou as practicable. We believe that tenders will be invited for launching her shortly. The vossel has sustained some considerable damage, the butts of her deck being started on the starboard side, and she is somewhat bilged abreast of the mainhatch ; the covering-board amidships is forced up about four or five inches, the Btrapkuees started, and some of the bolt-heads broken.

The " Otago Daily Times " received the following particulars of the wreck of the Edward and Christopher from the master, Captain Eckhoff, who, with his crew, arrived at Dunedin in tho s.s. Waiuui :—: —

" When the gale of the 29th ultimo commenced, tho Edward and Christopher was off Oanroru, at the usual anchorage, close to -the Government moorings ; and she had both her anchors down. At five o'clock on the Tuesday morning her boat was taken in. At seren o'clock she carried away her port cuble, and her sails were double-reefed, so that she should be all ready for proceeding to sea. At halfpast nine tho starboard chain went, and the vessel was driven foul of the schooner Anne. She was got clear, however, with slight damage, and sail being set to the extent that was possible under the circumstances, she stood out to sea. For three hours she reached outwards E. by N. Towards ono o'clock, it ba^an to blow fearfully, dead from the southeast, with drizzling rain, and a bad cross sea. At one o'clock site was hove-to, and, allowing for all circumstances, she was making about a N.N.E. course. From that time until three o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, nothing particular happened. The double-reefs were then, however, beginning to carry away, and the canvas was close-reefed. The violence of the gale continued to increase, but Captain Eckhoff calculated that it would be next day before he would approach the Peninsula. It was next day, but early in the morning, for at six o'clock, during a temporary clearing of tho hazy atmosphere, land was seen abreast of the vessel, • the recognisable pomt — Pompey's Pillar — beiDg about a mile distant. The crew managed to set all tho canvas that it was safe to carry, but it was impossible to weather the shore, and an opening iv the clills having been noticed, she was run in there, and beached among boulders, at tho only available spot. The tide was ebbing at the time, and, as the vessel was left temporarily high und dry, the crew managed to reach the shore. There was a house in the neighborhood, at which, although it was not at the time occupied, they managed to dry and change their clothing, and got some provisions cooked. They were also able, during tho ebb tide, to gave their effects, and some of -the most valuable of tho cargo on board, consisting only of a, few tons of iron and dour, and they also saved the boat. What they thus saved was earned up to a situation high and dry, about six feet above high water mark; but on the following morning, except a few spars, there was not a vestigo scon of tho vessel, cargo, or anything else that had been saved. Through the kindness of Mr Do -Molmanche, a French, settler in tho neighborhood, tho crew wore directed to a track across the ranges to Akavoa, and the Wainui having called there, they wore able to take their passage at once for Dunedin, Oapt. Bain having kindly provided to Capt. Eckhoff and his men a passage to their destination.

Tho Edward and Christopher belonged to Capt. Eokhotfand Mr Simmers. She was not insured, and except two booms and two gaifs, wJuoh are lying near the scene of the wreck, nothing whatever waß saved.