WRECK OF THE SAMPSON AND JOHN BULLOCK.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 79, 12 October 1865, Page 7

WRECK OF THE SAMPSON AND JOHN BULLOCK.

The wreck of the steam-tug Sampson and schooner John- Bollock at Hokitika, is thus described in the 'West Coast Times' of September 30 : — The roadstead and river yesterday presented at tide time quite a busy and cheerful scene, for all our steamers . had . either gone out to: lighter or bring in the several vessels in the offing, and the spit was more than usually crowded with sight-seers, not a few of whom were consignees. All eyes were watching the motions of the John Bullock, and Sampson, both of which were under way and approaching the bar. Many a. remark was passed by those on the spit touching the easy manner in which this* line tug (the Sampson) dragged her heavy charge along, and no one for a moment anticipated the disastrous results 1 that followed. They were making good progress, and had arrived within a short distance oj the bar, when the Brace, which had been for some time manoeuvring outside, dashed up alongside, passed them to the southward, and came in ahead. It was fancied at one time that the vessels were in rather close proximity 'to one another, and we observed the Sampson take rather a decided sheer to the northward, but whether it was to avoid fouling or not we c ould not take upon ourselves to say: On getting fairly into the first part of the 'break' the Sampson hoisted her staysail, to cant her head up stream, but without the desired efliect, for she came straight on to the north spit,* and just as they had succeeded in slewing her head up-stream, she took the ground, and in spite of full steam being turned on, there remained hard and -fast. It was pitiable to watch the frantic movement of her' paddles as they whirled round with a thundering noise, and for a minute or two' it was hoped* she would get off, for so great was her power that she was observed to move ahead through the sand, but suddenly a heavy roller came in, dashed against her, and the next instant her wheels were high out of the water and her fate sealed. - All this happened in less time than it takes to write it, and in the meantime the John Bullock, apparently too much astounded at the fate of the Samson to make the slightest effort to save herself, followed close upon her heels, and took the ground just astern of her. It was feared at nrst she would run right into her and cut her down : the northerly set, however, carried her clear, and there she now lies a helpless wreck— an eyesore to all of us, and a source of headache to everyone who is unfortunate enough to have consignments of goods on board her. We are afraid there is but small chance of her being saved, as she could not be on a much worse part of the spit, and every succeeding tide washes her higher up. The usual auction sale will, we suppose follow, and a vessel that only the other day was worth at least two or three thousand pounds, will,, in all probability, be ruthlessly knocked down for one-fiftieth/ part of it, and lucky if she fetches that. .