SHIPPING DISASTERS AT TIMARU.
Timaru, September 1.
A sad catastrophe happened this morning. The sea was breaking in shore in terrific waves, and at about 10.30 a.m. the barque Melrose, Captain Kenny, laden with coal, and consigned to Mr Ebenezer Smith, parted her anchors and came ashore soon after near Splashing Point, and broke up within ten minutes after touching land. The crew had a narrow escape, timber floating amongst them in the sea. 'Whilst drifting, towards the beach, and coming close' to the ketch Palmerston, some of the crew of that vessel jumped overboard. A rope was thrown from the barque, and all succeeded except one' in getting aboard. One man was drowned and the body has not yet been recovered. Prompt assistance was rendered by the Rocket Brigade to the crew of the barque Melrose, but the breaking up of the vessel so soon rendered the rocket apparatus of no use. Amongst the spectators who also rendered valuable assistance was Judge Ward. He went into the surf, and through strenuous exertions saved one of the crew. Captain Kenny was brought ashore almost lifeless, being dreadfully bruised by floating timber. He was taken to the hospital, and attended to by Dr M'lntyre. Rumours were rife at one time that the captain died soon afterwards, but this was contradicted by the doctor, who states that he is out of danger. Scarcely a vestige of the barque is now to be seen. About an hour after the ketch Fanny parted her anchors and came ashore a short distance north of the Government landing service. The crew landed without difficulty, being close in shore. At half-past two the brigantine Lapwing parted her anchors and came ashore close to the railway viaduct in Caroline Bay. Her crew also safely landed. The Lapwing is a fine vessel The ketch Glimpse parted one cable, and was now only held by the kedge anchor. A rumour is afloat that a man was killed on the ketch Palmerston through the topmast falling on him. The cargo of the Melrose, consisting of 250 tons of coal, was insured in the Union Company. The sad scenes were, witnessed, by thousands of persons on the cliffs. •
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Bibliographic details
Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 217, 6 September 1878, Page 7
Word Count
366SHIPPING DISASTERS AT TIMARU. Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 217, 6 September 1878, Page 7
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