WRECK OF THE KETCH, CREST NEAR AKAROA.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 397, 7 November 1868, Page 5

WRECK OF THE KETCH, CREST NEAR AKAROA.

TWO LIVES LOST.

(From the Li/ttelton Times.)

It is with great regret that we have to record the total loss of the above vessel near the South Head of Flea Bay, under circumstances of the most harrowing nature. The Crest left Akaroa between 12 and 1 a.m. on the 27th hist., having on board "William

Ellis, master ; J. Barker and E. Cunningham, seamen; and Mr. W. Belcher, of Kaiapoi, a passenger ; she was bound to Flaxburn, with a cargo of telegraph poles. All went well until about 5 a.m., when the master told the men to go below, and himself took charge of the vessel, Mr Belcher also being below. The first intimation of the disaster received by those below was the vessel striking, upon which they rushed upon deck and launched the dingy, in which J. Barker ■succeeded in getting away from the wreck, leaving the others on the deck. After some difficulty he reached Flea Bay about 7 a.m., and gave information of the wreck, and then immediately started for Akaroa to obtain assistance. Barker arrived in Akaroa between 9 and 10 a.m., and immediately a volunteer crew was obtained, and started with Barker to render assistance. About two hours after this James Rhodes arrived in Akaroa from the Bay, with a letter for our correspondent, informing him of the wreck, and also that the writer, Ceorge Noonan, with James Rhodes, had succeeded in saving Edward Cunningham, but were unable to render any assistance to the other unfortunates,from the perilous position in which the wreck was placed.

"When rescued Cunningham was naked, and hadly cut about his head and limbs. He states that after Barker had left he stopped for some time on the wreck with the others, the wreck being drifted into a cove i that, finding there was no chance of being saved from the wreck, he resolved to swim for it; that he told the others of his intention, and asked them to do the same. Mr Belcher said that he was unable to swim, and Ellis refused to leave him ; he (Cunningham) then jumped from the jibboom end, and managed to reach a rock at some distance from the wreck, but was washed from there, and with great difficulty reached the dingy which saved him. The boat which had left Akaroa arrived at the scene of the disaster in about two hours after leaving. They found that the wreck, or rather that portion which remained of it, was driven into a cave in the face of a precipitous cliff. They saw the two survivors in the cave, but were unable to reach them, owing to a reef on which the sea was continually breaking, and the quantity of kelp round and about the place, frustrating all their endeavours to reach the shipwrecked men. Two of the crew of the boat, Messrs Schenkel and Holt, narrowly escaped drowning, the dingy capsizing with them. The crew described the cries of the poor men as heart-rending, especially when they saw that all endeavours to extricate them, were fruitless. After the upset of the dingy Ellis was seen waving his hands as if to warn others that it was hopeless trying to reach them. The boat returned to Akaroa about 1 p.m., and immediately ropes, life buoys, provisions, and blankets were obtained, whilst willing volunteers proffered their services to go and do their utmost to save the sufferers. Two whale-boats and a dingy started, takiug with them (in addition to the articles thought necessary), an extra man who is well known as an expert and daring swimmer. Unfortunately none of the appliances taken or means used availed to save tke men, as the boats had to return to Akaroa without being able to rescue the unfortunates.

The place where the men are is described as a large cove in a precipitous cliff, overhanging the bottom considerably, so tbat it is impossible to drop a rope or anything from the land which would reach the shipwrecked men below, the boats being able to get as far in under the cliff as a rope from the top would reach. A quantity of scantling was lashed together, by means of which the boat's crew managed to get a line to the men, but unfortunately the action of the sea caused it to get foul, so that although the poor fellows got hold of the rope, it was useless to them, and they in their prostrate and weak state were Unable to do anything towards clearing the line. Directly in front of the cave are fearful rocks, which at low water arc partially dry, (but at high water are covered. The

situation of the cove is such, that there s a continual "break around it, the sea meeting at different points; and at high water the breakers are so terrific that the entrance to the cave is not distinguishable for minutes together. It was seen by the boat's crew that the men had managed to sling some ropes from the roof of the cave, and fastened some wood to them, on which they sat to prevent themselves from being washed away. The feelings of the crew on finding all their endeavours to save the men fruitless can be imagined, knowing as we do that they tried every means in their power, and everything they could devise for that purpose. Another party started from Akaroa 'aT)out 2 o'clock yesterday morning, the 29th, with fresh appliances and means, but we are grieved to say that on reaching the scene of the wreck not a sign of the men were to be seen; the sea had risen during the night, and had no doubt dashed the sufferers to pieces. The boats returned just as the mail was leaving Akaroa. It is needless to say that this lamentable and heartrending accident has cast a gloom over Akaroa, both the men being well known and greatly respected in that town.