STRANDING OF THE OCEAN WAVE AND EMULOUS.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2731, 9 May 1874, Page 2

STRANDING OF THE OCEAN WAVE AND EMULOUS.

[" North Otago Times," May 5.] It is again our unpleasant duty to record the stranding of two vessels—the fine tbleemasted schooner Ocean Wave and the brigan* tine lEmuloua—and the total wreck of the first-named. No forewarning of the impending disaster was given, the glass being high and steady until the afternoon of Saturday, when heavy rollers began to come home, indicating that there had been bad weather outside. There was not a breath of wind, and as the bay gradually became filled with a long rolling swell, uncomfortable apprehensions began to ba enta.tained for the shipping lying at tbe inner anchorage. This is precisely the sort of weather moat dangerous here, and at places similarly situated, and it".is impossible for vessels to- work out, and their safety entirely depends upon the holding power of their anchors and chains. Captain Sewell, harbor master, was on the gui vivc throughout the afternoon and evening to signal the vessels to stand to sea the moment a breeze sprang up, but it was vain whistling, not the ghost of a wind could be raised. There were lying in the bay, at the outer anchorage, the barque Rose M., Captain Kilpatrick, from Dunedin, loading produce for Auckland; and at the inner anchorage the brigantine Emu. lous, Captain Mathieson, from Dunedin, loading for Wellington ; the three-masted schooner Ocean Wave, Captain Wood, from Lyttelton, with coals, discharging; the schooners Enterprise, loaded for Wellington; and Janet Ramsay, from Dunedin, discharging; and the cutter Hope, also from Dunedin, discharging. At about half-past eight p.m. it was.observed that the Emulous was dragging, and about half-an-hour later the Ocean Wave began drifting rapidly towards the beach. She had been originally lying fully a cable's length to the south of the Emulous, but in a very few moments had changed places with the brigantine, drifting close past her. When about a cable's length astern to the northward of the latter, she brought up, her anchors having evidently got into better holding ground ; but after hanging on for about half an hour, was seen to be gradually drifting shorewards. Guns were then fired for the Rocket Brigade, which quickly assembled, and all the apparatus was got out ready for use. About half-past teri o'clock the schooner got into the breakers, and shortly afterwards took the ground. A line was sent to her by means of the rocket apparatus—the first rocket carrying it clean across the rigging. The hauling aboard of the hawser and the life-basket was but the work of a few moments, and one by one the crew (seven hands all told) were hauled safely ashore—Captain Hood being last to quit the vessel. Successive waves brought the schooner higher up on the beach, and as each wave struck her she cracked and strained greatly as she rolled from side tp side; her sides were soon opened, one by one the masts went Over board, and very soon this smart little vessel was a helpless wreck. No Booner had the ropes used by the Brigade been coiled in readiness than it was evident they would be wanted for the Emulous, which had dragged in to within a couple of cables' length of the shore, and waa burning colored lighta aa signals of distress. At about midnight she grounded about her own length astern of the Ocean Wave, both vessels lying nearly opposite the Scotch Church. Being light in the water (having only Borne fifiy tons of cargo aboard) the brigantine was driven higher up on the beach, and si fitAlntfl l less injury. Again the first rocket, earned her a line, and the whole crew hands all told) were landed without accident, one only of them getting a ducking on the way from the ship's side to the bank. Captain Hathie. son was the last to leave the vessel. Hearty cheers were given when the last man had been safely landed, Some anxiety was then felt for the barque Rose M., which had drifted in considerably. As-soon as daylight permitted, the Harbour-master, finding the ship riding by a single anchor, signalled her to let go the second. The order was obeyed and the barque brought up. The little cutter Hope got out about eleven o'clock p.m, on Saturday, and the other vessels, a breeze springing .up, put to sea on Sunday morning a little before three o'clock. During Sunday the sea gradually subsided, and yesterday the bay was comparatively calm. The cargo of the Emulous, and such portions of the cargo of the Ocean Wave as had not been waßhed out. by the sea, were landed on Sunday. Coals from the Ocean Wave are washed together with portions of the wreck, all along the beach to the northward for a distance of nearly a mile. The cargo of the Emulous, grain, flour, cement, &c, is considerably damaged. The Ocean Wave is completely broke up, and the injury to the brigantire is so serious,, that tho ( surveyors, l Captains Sewell and' Pallant have recomJ mended her abandonment to whom, it may concern. The Ocean Wave was of 118 tons registered tonnage, and was valued at about £2000. The hull was insured ia the South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company (Chrißtchurch agency), for £1000. The cargo, 120 tons "Newcastle coal, was also insured by the same agency. The brigantine Emnlous waa of 157 tons registered tonnage, and was valued at about £t7OO, at which sum she was recently purchased; she was insured in the Victoria Insurance Office for £ . The cargo was insured, the grain, flour, kc, in the New Zealand Offices to the full value. The cement for the Dock Trast, of which only fifteen casks had not been discharged, was also insured, but in what office is not known. A formal enquiry into the circumstances of the wrecks will be held to-day. '■' ■ ' v The wreck of the Ocean Wave was sold yesterday by auction, the hull, »tandlng rigging, kc., realised £62; the anchors, #2$ and tbeQoal, $3per.oa 4