A BRIGANTINE DISMASTED.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 274, 18 November 1902, Page 5

A BRIGANTINE DISMASTED.

THE FOREMAST CUT AWAY,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day

Captain Backstrom, of the steamer Wainui, reports that when passing Long Island last Friday afternoon he saw a brigantine anchored there, apparently in a queer predicament. Not observing signals of distress, he went ou his way. On Saturday the Marine Department was advised by the harbourmaster at Picton that there was a vessel in distress at Long Island, and requested the captain of the first vessel passing there to tender whatever assistance was necessary. Captain Backstrom, on being informed of the circumstances, stood near Long Isltud to ascertain what was wrong. The sailer, which proved to be the Eliza Firth, brigantine, produceladen from Lyttelton to Kaipara.

The captain stated that he encounteered heavy weather and had gone under the island till the wind and sea decreeased. The weather became worse, and the vessel, with two anchors down, dragged considerably.

To prevent her from going ashore it was decided to cut away the foremast, about ten feet from the deck, which stopped her dragging- any further..

Those on the sailing vessel informed Captain Backstrom that they did not require assistance, and requested him to pick up the foremast, which was then drifting half a mile astern. It was worth about £50.

Captain Backstrom said he could not accede to the wisliei of. the captain 'of the Eliza Firth in this respect.

Mr Wray, owner of the vessel, who is in Christchurch, was informed of the facts by the captain of the Eliza Firth, Who subsequently went to Picton by steam launch.

The vessel will probably be brought here to have her lost foremast replaced.

Mr Murdoch Neil McLeeod quietly passed away at the Provincial Hospital yesterday afternoon. Up to a few days prior to his death the deceased gentleman was in his usual robust health, but was suddenly stricken with the prevailing epidemic about four days ago, and was removed to the Auckland Hospital, where he expired, as above stated. Over 43 years ago he came to New Zealand from Nova Scotia, and was one of the band of sturdy pioneers who formed the Waipu Settlement, North of Auckland. He was by trade a shipbuildeer, and assisted in building some of the best vessels that floated on the Waitemata waters. Some 30 years ago, as the result of an accident, he had an trm amputated, but this did not impair his vigour as a colonist, and he was energetic in all his actions up to the tme of his last fatal illness. The late gentleman's wife pre-deceased him 35 yeaxc ago. Two children, however, namely, Mrs J Thomson, now residing in Queensland, and Mr D. A. McLeod, the wellknown commission agent of this city, are his children .left to mourn, bis loss Mr D. A.> McLeod has received condolence from a very large number of old Waipu and other "old hands" who knew the sterling worth of the old pioneeer.