TOTAL WRECK OF THE STEAMER FAVORITE, AT AHIPARA.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 80, 11 April 1870, Page 2

TOTAL WRECK OF THE STEAMER FAVORITE, AT AHIPARA.

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE CAPTAIN AND CREW.

It is with regret that we have to record the total loss of the p.s. Favourite, which was wrecked in Ahipara Bay on the forenoon of the Ist April. It appears that the vessel encountered very heavy S.S.W. winds and sea, and laboured so heavily that she parted at tbe splice where sho had been cut down and lengthened some few months since.

We sincerely regret to find that this misfortune will be a heavy loss to Captain Dyason, who had almost completed the.sale of one-half interest in his steamer to a Lyttelton ' firm. She was insured to the amount of only four hundred pounds, and the loss to Captain Dyason will be about fourteen or fifteen hundred. We are sure that Captain Dyason, who in connection with his steamer was so' well known on the West Coast, and subsequently in the Thames trade, and who has gained for himself so general respect, will now have the general sympathy in the loss of his fine little steamer.

The facts of the case will be best learned from the following extract from the ship's log, kindly, placed at our disposal by Captain Adams :—

" Friday, April I—Light winds and passing squalls of rain ; barometer, 30.32. 1 a.m.— Passed Reef Point, Ahipara Bay; moderate breezes. 2 a.m. —Sea aud wind rapidly increasing, thick dirty weather ; barometer, 30.31. 2-40 a.m. Heavy sea, ship labouring and shipping large quantities of water ; eased engines, and kept ship's head on to the sea ; all pumps going and bilge rejector j ship making, a deal of water. 3 a.m.—Observed vessel getting out of shape, settling down amidships, and great difficulty in steering. 330 a.m.— Water gaining on pumps ; bore up for Ahipara Bay, and came to an anchor at 6.30, in 3| fathoms water, abreast of native settlement; veered to 30 fathoms; all hands pumping; found the water considerably gaining on us, and vessel completely out of shape—apparently back broken. Held a consultation with chief officer and engineer, and came to conclusion, the only possible chance of saving vessel from going down into deep water was to beach her, the water at the time being nearly level with furnace bars ; ship fast settling down. 11 a.m. —Got up all possible steam, and ran the vessel on a sandy beach ; crew, and Maoris from the.settlement, employed in throwing coals landing G-overnment gear, ship's furniture, and stores.. 12 napri—Vessel completely out of shape ; water flowing in and out; back broken ; parting in the splice where she was lengthened; a heavy sea rolling ; abandoned the vessel. Midnight.—A fearful sea on the beach; ship totally submerged; sea making a clean broach over her. " Saturday; AprU 2.—Held a survey on the vessel with Messrs. Yates and Recs, merchants, and condemned her to be 3old by auction, for the benefit of whom it may concern.

" I hereby certify the above to be a correct statement. -;/ " Edward Sydney Yates, "James Smyth, " Late Chief Engineer p.s. Favorite." Captain Adams requests us to thank the inhabitants of Ahipara Bay for their kindness to himsqlf and his crew, alfoMr. J. B. Mafthevp, of the Redan, KataiaA 'Hc-also wislifls to tender his thanks to the master of the kefbli Speedwell, for giving himself and his chief officer a passage to Auckland from Wangaroa. 'A ____