THE WRECK OF THE SOUTHMINSTER.

Evening Post, Volume XVI, Issue 286, 3 December 1878, Page 3

THE WRECK OF THE SOUTHMINSTER.

RETURN OF THE STORMBIRD. The s s. Stormbird left at 10 o'clock last night for the scene of tho Soutbminster's wreck, taking (as we mentioned yesterday) Mr. Boardroan, on behalf of the Insurance Companies, and Captain Gibbons, on behalf of the consignees; also, six men employed by Mr. Gannaway, stevodore, specially engag-d by Mr. Boardman for the occasion. Tho Stormtod arrived off the wreck at daybreak this morning, and anchored at a distance of about half-a-inilo outside of the kelp-bank in which the ill-fated Southroinster is lying. Captain Doile sent a boat off to tbe wreck, taking Captain Gibbons, Mr. Boardman, and the six men engaged by the Insurance Companies. They found the bhip in exactly tho same posilion as that described by us last evening—impaJod on the rocks, with her sails flying loose. On sounding thore was found to be about 12ft. of water aloDgsido at high tide. Nothing was being done in tho way of saving cargo, spars, sails, riggiog, &c. Tbe sails were not furled, or even clewed up, and the vessel lay quite desorted. The men were still living in tents on the shore. They sent out a boat to the Stormbird and reported themselves all well, adding that they were awaiting orders from the captain who was away at the Kckerangu telegraph station. The ship is lying barely a quarter of a mile from the shore having passed over the outer reef and lodged on tho rocks inside among the kelp. Thewiud was light from the N VV. while the Stormbird was there, with thick weather, hut the sea quite smooth Captain Doile is of opinion that if due energy be used, alarge quantity of cargo and also tho spars, sails, &c t can be saved, but directly a S.E. wind and sea set in the vessel is a!mo3t certain to go to to pieces. Mr. Boardinau took formal possession of the ship on behalf of the South British Insuranco Company, and loft his crow of six men in charge. The Stormbird then weighed anchor at 7 o'clock this morning and returned to Wellington, arriving at 1.30 p.m. Mr. Boardman and Captain Gibbonscame back in her. Mr. Boardman requests us to contradict the statement in a morning oontomponny that the South British loses £2189. Mr. lioardruan assures us that the South British loss on tho Southminsterdoes not exceed £1000. A steamer will bo despatched to-night to tho weeck, so that active operations may be comir.enced to-morrow morning.