AROUND THE WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 78, 2 April 1932, Page 4

AROUND THE WORLD.

GOSSIP OF THE PORTS. THE WRECKS OF A CENTUKY. INCIDENTS IN 1895-90. (By LEE FORE BRACE.) Barque Halcionc. —This vessel was built in 1809 as a full-rigged ship by the famous firm of Steel and Co., of Greenock, for J. Parker and Sons, of Southampton, being afterwards acquired by the fcshaw, Savni and Albion Company. She was one of the best known vessels in the New Zealand trade., having made no less than 20 voyages to these waters. Although of only 843 tons register, she had accommodation for no less than 440 passengers. The Haleione was never a dyer, and was a vessel that required very careful handling. No matter what the wind conditions were it was impossible to tack her when beating to windward, this fault being due to the fact that her foremast was stepped too far forward. Tlio Haleione came to grief when attempting to enter Wellington Harbour on January 8, 1890. At the time of the wreck she was commanded by Captain Boormau, who had previously commanded the famous Lady Jocelyn. The day on which the disaster occurred the barque had comc through Cook Straits with a strong northerly wind. When about two miles off the entrance to the harbour, the wind suddenly swept round to the south, and blew a whole gale. Captain Boorman ran before the gale for Pencarrow Heads, but owing to heavy rain the leading lights could not be seen. At 10.30 p.m., when the gale was at its height, a lightning dash outlined the land right under the bows of the barque. She struck with great force, her bows being stove-in with the impact. The point where she struck was at the cast side of Fitzroy Bay, between Pencarrow and Baring Heads. With great difficulty a boat was lowered, and with the mate iu charge managed to reach Lambton Quay. The steamer Mana was immediately dispatched, but when she reached the scene it was found that the Halcioue was full of water, with great heavy rollers breaking over her—a hopeless wreck. A search was made for the crew, and they were discovered near the lighthouse, all safe. The gale continued for two days, and at the end of that time not a trace of the barque could be seen. She had a valuable general cargo aboard at the time of her loss, and for weeks afterwards the shoreline of Wellington Harbour was strewn with goods of all descriptions. Captain Boorman was exonerated from all blame, the Court finding that the wreck was due to str^s of weather.

Barque Grassmerc.—Many inquiries have readied me in regard to this vessel, as there is a considerable amount of doubt as to the identity of the vessel which was wrecked. In 1895 there were two vessels of similar names trading to New Zealand. One of these was a big, handsome clipper of over 1200 tons trading to New Zealand under the house flag of the New Zealand Shipping Company, but this vessels name had only one "s" in it. The other vessel was a barque of only 465 tons, and originally belonged to Messrs. Devitt and Moore, of London. She first arrived in New Zealand waters in 1802, and until the date of her wreck was engaged in the inter-colonial trade. On December 25, 189.), when bound to Wellington with a coal cargo, she struck on Tom's Rock, near Cape Terawhiti, and became a total wreck. Her crew managed to escape in the boats belorc the vessel broke up, and were blown out to sea. On the following daytile boatfl were sighted by the cable steamer Jerranora. and till hands were safely landed at Wellington. The ship urasmerc visited Now Zealand in 1897. and was still in Lloyd's register during the early years of this century. S.s. Waitapu.—On February 8, 1890 when lying on the slip in Wellington Harbour undergoing repairs, a fire broke out aboard. The flames spread very ranidly and reached the fore hold, in which" was stowed a quantity of explosives. An explosion occurred, which blew the vessel to pieces, the hull being completely destroyed.

.Ketch Reliance.—Stranded on February 28, 1596, on Hind's Point, near Pcncarrow Heads. Wellington Harbour. "iaclit Waitangi.-—AVheii on a, cruise front Summer to New Brighton, the vessel capsi//cd, three lives being lost. Schooner John Bell.—Stranded at Cape Terawhiti, March 10, 1896. Schooner Corotnandel.—After having been ashore at Westport and salvaged this vessel was towed to Wellington for repairs On May 3, 1896, she capsized in Wellington Harbour and became a total lO.SS.

S.s. Marramarra.—On May 29, 189G stranded on Oco Point, Cook Strait. No lives lost.

Baiquo I'irth of Sol way.—When bound lor JJunedin, New Zealand, this vessel Y as ■?"" to thc B - s - Marsden, on April 24, 1896. The Firth of Solway was only a few hours out when the accident happened. J<ifteen lives were lofit, including it he captain's wife and young dauglitor Barque Gainsborough. — Wrecked at Oaliu, June 10, 1896, when bound from Westport to San Francisco. All hands saved.

Ship Patrician. —When bound from Newcastle, New South Wales, to Lyttelton, this vessel was dismasted in an exceptionally heavy gale in the Tasman Sea. Her hatches were stove in, boats washed away, and on the point of sinking when the e.s. Fifeshire hove in sight. The mizzen lower mast was standing, and the Patrican being an American vessel, her (Tag was fastened upside down to its head. The Fifeshire came as close to the pinking vessel as passible, but owing to the tremendous sea which was running it seemed impossible to effect a rescue.- Captain Wilson, of the Fifeshire, hoisted a signal. "I shall not abandon you," and then followed one of the most spectacular rescues ever effected in thc history of the British Mercantile Marine. After several unsuccessful attempts a boat was at last got safely away from the steamer, but it was smashed by the breaking seas before it got far on its mission of mercy. A second boat was launched, which picked up the crew of the first boat, the chief officer, Mr. Ross, being badly injured. Off went the lifeboat again to the Patrician, at times being completely lost to sight in the spume of the gale. The Fifeshire steamed down to leeward of the sinking ship, and succeeded in picking up the boat with all the Patrician's people safely aboard. This gallant rescue created a great sensation in the United States, and many handsome testimonials were presented to Captain Wilson and his hardy crew. J. B. Patterson, the celebrated American marine artist, depicted this rescue on a large canvas, which now hangs in the Washington Museum. The painting is entitled, "I Shall Not Abandon You." Schooner Dayspring.—Mission schooner. When on a voyage to the Island of Santo, struck on an uncharted submerged reef near Brand's Pass, October 20, and sank in a few hours. All hands escaped in the schooner's boats. Ketch Liberty.—Sunk off Clyde Quay, Wellington, Decerhber 8. 1896." ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. BO'SUN. —The Miltiades. the celebrated Aberdeen White Star clipper, never visited Wellington. She arrived at Auckland in 1874, and stranded on the beach near Takanuna. She made another voyage to Lyttelton in 1890. On her Auckland vovage she was 81 days making port from London. The passage you mention, 77 days, was land to land, not port to port. R.R.S. (Waneanui).—'The vessel to arrive at Wanganui was flie baroue Malar. MBS. D. B. JONES. —I cannot trace any vessel named the Cessnock having been wrecked in New Zealand waters. A baiquo of thi.s name wars wrecked at Port Phillip Heads on February 4, 1553. Particulars ol' this casualty have been posted to you.