WRECK OF A BARQUE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9298, 26 December 1895, Page 6

WRECK OF A BARQUE.

» NO LIVES LOST. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December 25. The barque Grassmere, 441 tons register, bound from Newcastle to Wellington with a cargo of coal for the Union Steamship Company, was wrecked off Cape Terawhiti early this morning. No lives were lost. The vessel left Newcastle on the 12th inst., and had a tine run across, sighting Stephens Island light at 11 p.m. on Monday, and next day she was beating through the straits. Calm and clear weather was experienced until four o'clock this morning, when the breeze freshened from N.W. The vessel was bowling alone off Terawhiti with the wind on her quarter, when she ran her bow on a sunken rock at 6.10 a.m. Her officers state that the rock ia in the vicinity of Thorn rock near Terawhiti Head, and about two miles off the mainlaud. The wind was blowing so hard that the sea was a mass of foam, and those on board had no indication that they were in danger. When the vessel struck all hands were busy taking in sail. The pumps were immediately sounded, and it was found that four feet of water was in the hold. There being no chance of saving the barque the boats were got out, and the officer and crew left her. Ten minutes afterwards she heeled right over on her starboard side, and when the Mararoa from Sydney passed the spot a few hours afterwards only her yards and part of her bulwarks could be seen out of water. Owing to the heavy breeze the boats were blown off the land aud the occupants had an anxious time, being in fear of foundering. At 9.30 a.m. the cable repairing steamer Terranora, which was out for the purpose of laying the new cable which arrived by the Tainui, hove in sight, and picked up the survivors, and brought them on to Wellington, arriving about noon. The officers and crew lost nearly all their effects, but the ship's papers were saved. Captain S. Morrison was in command of the vessel, Mr E. Killingpack being chief officer, and Mr D. O Cloughtie second officer. The crew numbered eight, in addition to which the vessel carried a steward. The vessel was not insured, so that the loss falis severely on Captain Morrison, who was part owner, the other share being held by Mr Walker, Manager of the Kauri Timber Company in Sydney, When the survivors were picked up they were about ten miles off the land.