SHIPWRECK NEAR COOK'S STRAITS.
LOSS OF THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE. 16 PERSONS MISSING. [FBOII THE NEW ZEALAND PBES3 ASSOCIATION.] NELSON. November 16. The Taranaki met the schooner Canterbury in Charlotte Sound yesterday. She had got on board the master and James Fox, from the wreck of the City of Newcastle. The City wus wrecked early on Thursday morning, coming from Tory Channel, not far from, the Three Brothers. She went ashore bow on, underneath a high precipitous cliff. The first boat was swamped in lowering. The captain's gig, containing three seamen, four women, and three children, got afloat safely, but was lost sight of, and it is not known where she has gone. The third boat with the muster, Fox (araied constabulary), four sailors, and the ship's steward, got away. The boat was very leaky. The wind rose and the sea ran very high, boat half full of water, crew perpeluully baling. They ran through a dangerous rocky pass, with a blanket sail, and after a few hours were picked up by the schooner Canterbury and dragged on board, the boat sinking immediately afterwards. Those left on the wreck were Abbot (Nelson), second and third mates, carpenter, cook, aud one seaman. The master reports that by cutting away the foremast,so as to cause it to fall against the cliff, the men could get ashore. In the gig with three seamen' were Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Pilcher (Wellington), Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Cameron (both of Sydney). One of the seamen is an old sailor who knows the locality. It ia hoped they landed before the gale came on, which it did about an hour after their leaving the ship. They might make Tory Channel. No provisions or water were on board the gig. The Taranaki changed her course and took the master aud Fox to the whaling station ia the Sound to search. The steamer went near the spot, but did not see the wreck, but passed the ship's rudder and a portion of the sternpost. The City of Newcastle Mad met with bad weather on Sunday, and had anchored in Cloudy Bay until eight on Wednesday night, when she sailed with the weather fine and the wind favourable. The peoplo went to bed about eleven. A sudden mist came on, and about four in the morning she went ashore with no shock, but very gently. There was a great wind alorm at Picton and the neighbourhood on Thursday night. The City was owned by Mr. Dransfield, Mayor of Wellington, and was insured for £1250. She sailed from Wellington for Newcastle last Tuesday. The Rtmgitira has gouo in search of the shipwrecked people. ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. Names of passengers by the City:—Fox (Armed Constabulary), Mrs. Fox, Mrs. H. J. Pilcher, Miss Cameron, Mrs. Jones and son, Mr. Abbot. Crew: Captain Bain, D. ilamili, A. Fullarton, R. Smith, J. Danigs, H. Rowlauds, N.Thompson, W.Taylor, J. Kobertson, K. Fisher, T. Jones, J. White, J. Brougbton, H. Bowler. Already saved : —Captain Bain, Fox, Odlery (steward), E. Neagle, H. Deins, N. Robertson, aud J. White. November 17. The Raugatira arrived at Picton near midr.ight, having been boarded by Captain Bain in Tory Channel. No trace of the missing bout was discovered. Smith, Bowler, and Palmer are supposed to be landed near the north entrance. Six men were left o:i the wreck. The mate swam ashore with a line. Abbot (passenger) and the ship's cook were drowned in trying to reach land. The remainder are safe. The wreck is supposed to have been caused by the captain mistaking the Wellington for Mana Island light. The Raugatira, with the rescued seamen and mates, started at tour to resume the search for the missing boat. The Napier, from Wanganui, arrived at two. She saw no sign of tho missing boat, and was on the lookout. The Raugatiia arrived at four, and brought back all the survivors. She saw no sign of the missing boat, although examiuing the coast carefully with her boats. NO HOPE FOR THE MISSING BOAT. November 18. The enquiry into tho cause ot tie wrectf of the City of Newcastle will be he.d to-mor-row. Hamil, the mate, while hanging on to the cliff, had his front teeth pulled out by holding ou to a rope to save Abbott. The men saved from the wreck owe their lives to him. The ship's boats were very bad. No hope is entertained for the woinon. It is the general opinion that the boat must have soon swamped, as the sea washed over her stern every lurch, the boat was so deep. The captain only went in the boat after much persuasion from the mate, who told him that being a man with a family, he should go. The vessel had nearly gone to pieces before the lust of the crew got safe on the cliff.
SHIPWRECK NEAR COOK'S STRAITS.
New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2755, 27 November 1872, Page 3
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