WRECK OF THE ONEHUNGA.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 946, 16 March 1872, Page 3

WRECK OF THE ONEHUNGA.

We are indebted to the "" Oamaru Times" for the following account of the total loss of the fore-and-aft schooner Onehunga, R Crouch, master, bound for Westport, which we announced at the time of the wreck. She had arrived at OatnarU from Dunedin with about 30 tons of produce and general merchandise, and bad loaded about 15 tons of flour and grain, shipped by Mt-ssrs Anderson and Mowat, when she was ordered to sea as the weather had a dirty appearance and a nasty sea was rolling in. About a quarter past three in the afternoon she got under way on : the starboard tack, and when within a short distance of the beach tried to go about. She missed stays, but having just sufficient room to fill on her and try again, the captain made another attempt to stay her. She missed a second time, and the anchor was then let go, and clue-hauled, to cant her head to the south-east. The port cable was then immediately slipped ; and the sails filling, the vessel stood out on the port tack. When near the Cape she again missed stays, being under the shelter of the land, and the wind having no power upon her sails. The anchor was then let go, but refused to hold, and the vessel difted helplessly in, setting fast upon the rocks close to where the Premier came ashore. There appeared to be no biauie attributable to the captain in the matter. Immediately on the vessel's striking every exertion was made to save the car'o, which was all got out and stowed on the tramway. At 7 p.m. the same day the wreck was sold, as she lay, to Mr Baudinet for

the sum of £llO. The salvaged cargo was sold for the benefit of the shippers. The schooner was valued at£Soo afloat, and was insured in the New Zealand Fire and Marine Insurance Office for £6OO, and was the sole property of Messrs Sumpter and Lemon.