RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 811, 28 August 1877, Page 3

RAGLAN.

August 24. The schooner Echo left the heads on Saturday morning between six and seven o'clock with a good S E wind. When she reached the last breaker on the bar, the rudder chain broke, which made her breach to. The master managed to repair her with rope, and reached the same breaker again when the chain smashed on the other side, and the vessel became unmanageable, she drifted through into a small space of smooth water where they anchored, but upon consultation it was deemed advisable to move out of this as the wind was freshening, having veered wind more to the Southward, and it was feared that as soon as the tide began to flow the breakers would wash over them. The anchor was therefore hoisted, but the vessel not being under control, simply drifted with the current further out, and

the anchor was again dropped. After this she pitched about in the surf for some time, the sea washing over her, washing the boat away, as. also other moveables on deck. It was discerned about half past seven that the vessel was in distress, and two boats full of people, hastened down to the heads to render assistance if possible. Upon walking over the sand hills to the beach to the nearest point to the vessel, which is said to have been about a quarter of a mile from the shore it was observed that the seas were washing over her. The crew could be diserned on deck. One man was in the forerigging and another was subsequently seen in the main rigging. These were the two unfortunate Europeans Adam Fisher and Simon Jackson. The former was the mate of the vessel, he was very ill, and had been so ever since, the vessel arrived in port on the 28th ulto, he remained in the cabin all the time until the water made him come on deck. The latter was going up in the vessel in the place of the mate, intending to return by her. His chief object, in going was to see his mother, Mrs Vause, of Onehunga. He was formerly mate, on board the Flora Macdonnald, which vessel he left a week or two before she was lost. He was said to have been a most cool and collected man when in difficulties of any kind, and an expert swimmer. The crew seemed to have behaved pluckily throughout, and did not leave the vessel untii she capsized. They tried to cut the anchor chain with an axe when they found there was no chance of saving the vessel, but the axe broke and they were unable to do so. The last seen of the two unfortunate men drowned, was just as the vessel was capsizing when the natives saw them in the rigging, After she went over and they came up, they looked round, but could see no one else but themselves. The master managed to get hold of a hatch, which it is said he pulled off after the vessel filled, just a second or two before she capsized. He then saw one of the men, but the other, a lad, did not turn up for some time, when he came up close alongside of the other two and took hold of the hatch. They then managed to pick up a second hatch, to which two of the natives transferred themselves, and by their assistance; escaped what otherwise would have been certain death. The breakers on the coast running very high. The two men were exhausted when hauled on shore, and had it not been for the timely assistance from those on the beach, probably, would have been dashed to peaces on the rooks or taken out to sea again. The master managed to get clear of the rocks, and after been swept out once or twice when almost within reach, at last succeeded in getting his feet. The Europeans present represent bim as displaying the greatest coolness, and when, pulled out would not let the hatch go, saying he might, as well take that with him. The unfortunate occurrence has cast a gloom over the place, more especially the loss of life, Simmonds. having spent the most of his days in this place as also his family. The accident occured purely owing to the breaking of the rudder chain, there being a fair breeze, and no extraordinary break on the bar at the time. The unfortunate survivors were much cut about the lower parts of their bodies from the dashing against the rocks. The unfortunate vessel was owned in Raglan two-thirds belonging to One te One, and one- third to S W Ellis, & Co, of Aotea, Her cargo consisted of twenty bales of flax, Wallis ; sixty pigs, Ellis ; twelve do , Gilmour ; a small quantity of bacon, hides, and a few other articles. Some twelve of the pigs managed to reach the shore alive. A number are lying about the beach dead, which the natives are picking up to eat. The vessel is going to pieces, broken in two. Nothing has been seen of the bodies of the two unfortunate men drowned. The natives present could not but help admiring the coolness and pluck displayed by the Europeans who arrived first to render assistance, some of whom had close shaves of being washed out by the breakers in trying to save the drowning. The fore part of the vessel has come ashore, the stern is still some distance out, but the natives say about Saturday at low water, persons will be able to get out to where the remaining portion now lie. No signs of the bodies of the unfortunate men who were drowned, up to late this morning. The master and crew are still at the scene of the disaster, looking out for the wreckage as it comes ashore. The remains of the vessel are some seven miles dwn the coast near about Waiuku — OWN CORRESPONDENT.