WRECK OF THE ESTHER ANN

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 694, 6 August 1870, Page 2

WRECK OF THE ESTHER ANN

(From the Dunedin Star.") The intelligence we published a few days ago of the reported wreck of the schooner Esther Ann, proves to be but too true. The vessel is a total loss. The news was brought overland from Martin's Buy to Queenstown. Mr Elliot, agent for the New Zealand Insurance Company, has received a ietter from Mr Brenchley, master and owner of the vessel, which he has kindly placed at our disposal. The master states that the wreck of the vessel happened on the morning of the lOih inst. They started from Milford Sound, at which place the vessel had been lying wiudbouud for an opportunity to get to Martin's Bay; and arrived off the bar at the Kakapo Kiver at nine o'clock in the morning. The tide was at the (lood, and there was a wind blowing off the land, when suddenly it fell calm for an hour; then it came on to blow from W.S.W., and height, ned to a gale. The consequence was that they were unable to carry any canvas to work the vessel off the shore. The captain deemed it prudent to run for the entrance to save life and property. He proceeds to stat(—" Everything went well until we got oft the point at the Sandspit, when the vessel touched, and a heavy sea striking us on the port-quarter, slewed the vessel broadside on, and the fresh catching us on the starboard bow sent the vessel inside the inner rock. It was done so quickly that we had no time to take sail off the vessel. There was a heavy sea on and the vessel did not stand long. We were unable to save a great deal; the principal part of our sail was blown" or washed away among the rocks, but what little we could save we did. Since Captain Thompson's report of the place, the sandspit has made over towards the rock —so the boatmen on the river tell us. It would make a good entrance if Captain Tnonpson's plan were adopted." Other letters received in town state that all the passengers were landed. A letter received by Mr Sly, Stafford-street, states that all the passengers, luggage, and provisions were landed after° a great deal of labor. With the ship's goods, however, they were not so fortunate ; the sea being so heavy that the crew were prevented from working. The vessel broke up quickly, and if it had not been for a party of diggers, who happened to be passing at the time, rendering assistance, hardly anything would havebeen saved. The vessel, before making for the river was three times off the bar, but the sea was always so heavy that the captain did not think it prudent to take it If she had got in when Martin's Bay was first reached, a good trip would have been made, as they were then only 23 days out from Dunedin. Ten days they lay at the Otngo Heads, and eight in Preservation Inlet. The captain also states that the beacons put up for the bar are wrong; for had he steered for

them, they would have all been drowned. The breadth at the entrance at present at low water is only about ten feet. The sandspit is making right over the rock. The same afternoon a sale was held of the anchors and wreck on the beach which realised £2 15s. Among the property saved was the saw mill plant, taken down by some of the passengers. Before the vessel sailed, arrangements were made to have the vessel insured, but not completed. We have not beard what value was placed on her.