THE MAGGIE PATERSON.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 20, 23 July 1881, Page 2

THE MAGGIE PATERSON.

CAPTAIN'S REPORT. A report has been furnished by Captain Paterson, master of the schooner Maggie Paterson, now lying atranded at the Heads, to Captain Bendall, of tho Underwriters' Association, as to the circumstances under which the vessel went ashore. Captain Paterson reports having encountered a ter- { riffic S E. gale in the Strait on the forenoon of the 19th, during which he split some of the sails, and subsequently bore up, thinking, for Port Underwood, the weatlur very thick and dirty. The wind then shifted to the westward and blew from all quarters ; at 8 p m. was within a mile of the entrance to Wellington harbor, the wind being too strong to lead in with and the sea too heavy from S.E. ; after shipping a tremendous sea he stood off at 8 p.m. At 10 p.m. the wind chopped into the S. K. again and blew with great violence. Pencarrow light being in sight, bearing about N.N Ji., ran for it, when it came on a thick rain squall which obscured the light. The mate and all hands were told to keep a sharp look out for breakers. Shortly after, the mate, who was standing forward, sang out "port," seeing a rock ahead which he mistook for the south end of Barratt'a reef, and immediately after tha vessel struck on the rocks and finally stranded on tha beach. The men then went up to the lighthouse. Captain Bendall, on behalf ot various insurance companies, went out to the Heads on Thursday for the purpose of inspecting the schooner Maggie Pateraon. He reports that her keel has been carried away, that the starboard bilge has be;n stove in, and that water is flowing in and out. The underwriters were to begin salvage operations to-day, and after ;the transhipment of her coal and hides into lighters, it is expected that she will be got off without much difficulty. A telegram from the Pilot Station this morning stated that the schooner had Bhifted her position during 1 the night, and wa3 broadside on and breaking up. Mr. Wallace and Captain Beadall leave town to-morrow to vLsit^the schooner. A telegram received this afternoon by Mr. Wallace, of the National Insurance offk-e. from the pilot station, state 3 that tha schooner is still lying broadside on the beach, and the sea is washing ovor her. There was a heavy sea on, but her Epars were Btill standing.