WRECK OF THE GO-AHEAD.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4921, 23 May 1887, Page 3

WRECK OF THE GO-AHEAD.

ONE LIFE LOST.

News reached town last night that the well-known coastal steamer the Go-Ahead had gone ashore four miles to tlie southward of the Kidnappers, and later on Captain Plunley, of the ill-fated vessel, arrived in Napier, and confirmed the intelligence. The Go-Ahead left Wellington on Wednesday evening; called at Castle Point on Thursday morning, and the same day' : called at Akitco, leaving there at 5 p.m. Tho weather was thick, and after passiug Blackhead no land was seen, and at about 2 a.m. on Friday the vessel was in the breakers, and in spite of reversingthe engines, she struck. The night was pitch dark, and though pretty close to shore, no , land was visible. Iv getting out tho port boat the captain was - twice washed overboard, but succeeded in regaining the vessel. The first boat lowered was carried away along with the davits by a tremendous sea. The starboard boat was got overboard, and all hands got into her, with the exception of a fireman named Gunning who refused to leave the ship, preferring to swim ashore at low tide. Those in the boat reached land safely, but Gunning was drowned while swimming towards shoro later on. Eventually two of the crew recognising the locality made for Messrs Gordon and Hill's station to procure assistance, and on arrival there men wero sent out to bring on the rest of the crew. The crew, however, before this, had started over the hills, and falling across a shepherd were directed to the homestead which they reached at 7 a.m. on Sunday, and where they wore most hospitably treated. The vessel is a total wreck, lying bottom upwards. She was owned by Messrs Johnston aud Co. of Wellington.