WRECK OF AN AUCKLAND KETCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2213, 6 February 1886, Page 2

WRECK OF AN AUCKLAND KETCH.

, LAMENTABLE LOSS OF LIFE,A MOTHER & THREE CHILDREN BROWNED. . United Pr V|( Association. ■ : Auckland, February 5, The s,s, Macgregor arrived here at 4;45 this morning, bringing with her Captain Williams and the crew of the Auckland ketch Fanny,'which ,wa3 totally lost on Tuesday night near' Bream Head, Mrs Turnbull, a passenger, and her three children being drowned. The .Fanny

left Auckland on Monday for Mongonui, and had fine weather up to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, when it came on to blow from the 0.E.;-, shifting slightly to northward off Tiiakaka, when it came on thick and dirty. The vessel bore away for Whangarei for shelter, The Captain kept the vessel E. by S. for two ..hours and three quarters, then away at 11 p.m. for Whangarei, the vessel going'about six 'knots, At 1.45 on Wednesday the vessel was hauled to southward, and about ten minutes afterwards tlio course was altered toN. by N. to make the Heads, No sooner was this done than breakers were seen under the lee. Everything was done to stay the vessel, but it would not do so. The captain then tried to wear her, and whilst this was being done she struck on a rock off Kauri Heads, about four miles off Whangarei Heads. There was a heavy sea running, and the first sea that struck the vessel carried away the foremast. The seas made a clean breach over the vessel, and witli the hope of saving the passengers, they were lashed to the mizzenmast, but, .seeing they were in danger they were removed to the companian aft, Here all hands held on until about daylight, when two of the children died, and soon after that the vessel broke in two, and all hands were dashed off, Tho crew managed to get on part of the companion, the captain getting on to a part of one of the masts,. The ship-wrecked people were washed on to a rock, and remained there all day, until G p.m., when for safety they removed to a piece of wreck and drifted towards the mainland, three-quar-ters of a mile distant, All Wednesday night was spent in the bush, and on Thursday morning they reached Whangarei. Mrs Turner was the wife of the proprietor of the "Settlers'" Hotel, Mongonui, and the children (girls) were aged eighteen months, two years, and thirteen years. Captain Williams is nearly prostrated.with grief, feeling very acoutely the misfortune that has befallen him. Prior to leaving Auckland he endeavored to induce Mrs Turnbull to take a passago with the steamer, rather than go with the ketch.