WRECK OF THE SHIP ECHUNGA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 914, 4 February 1868, Page 2

WRECK OF THE SHIP ECHUNGA.

It is our painful duty to have to record the total wreck of the ship Eohunga, which took placo at an early hour yesterday morning. On Sunday a strong breeze sprang up from nor -east, accompanied by heavy squalls of rain, which, as the day wore on, increased to a gale, bringing with it a very heavy sea. . Oh Sunday night, in consequence of the appearance of the weather, the chief o(licer. in the temporary absence of Captain Knight, had cable paid out and the yards pointed— taking all precaution in his power. As the night advanced, the gusts became more severe and the sea heavier — the forecastle of the ship being at times under water. She held on. however, till near 4 o'clock, when one of the cables parted ; about half an hour after, the other cable also parted. In this emergency some sail was set, and an effort made to Jay the ship to the wind, but the attempt was found to be utterly futile; she was then, for the safety of life, put before the wind, and beached in the likeliest place to secure that end. She struck on the Western Suit, about four miles from the entrance— the sea making a clean breach over her. At daylight the wreck was visible from town, and the sight was a very sad one, especially as it was not. known for some time whether any lives had been lost. The crew, however, as well as nine labourers who were on board, got ashore in safety— one of their number having courageously swam to the beach wi'h the end of a line which had been made fast at the other to the fore-yard ; by means of which all hands got away from the ill-fated vessel. The Echunga had not been very long ashore before her masts went over the side ; soou after, she parted amidships, and then she began to break up rapidly. Before noon she had gone wholly to pieces. Mr. Kinross, Capt. Knight (who returned to town at an early hour) and other gentlemen were promptly on the beach, at the scene of the wreck, and a gang or men was sent over to save as much as possible of the cargo. The number of ba'es of wool saved was. however, small— not exceeding 50' out of 1900 on board. The Echunga was the property of Messrs. Potter, Wilson, and Co., of Glasgow; she had nearly completed her loading ; and was intended to proceed to sea in a few days. She is doubtless covered by insurance. The cargo, consisting of about 1900 bales wool, was also insured. The gale — which was one of the black noreasters which occur, perhaps once a year, in nawkc'a Bay — abated yesterday at noon, bo that twenty-four hours was the full duration of in. It is lamentable to think that, in so short a time, so fearful a disaster should have occurred, and so much valuable property been wholly destroyed.

The Cleopatra left Napier on Tuesday last, at 11 a.m. for Wairoa. Experienced fresh sea biecze. and was 8 hours on the passage. Entered the r\ver at 7 p m,. with smooth bar. Next morning steaiaed for Poverty Bay, with fine easterly weather, but off Mahia, in the afternoon, a souther came up astern. Entered Big river in tln> evening. Kext daj and part of Thursday was engaged in shipping seed &c. In the afternoon of Thursday crossed over to Turanganui, and. at 8 p.m. steamed for Waiioa. Entered Wairoa river on Saturday at 7 a.m. and stt-amed to Atward's what f. Received on board 5 bales wool, a good deal of fruit, and several parser*, gers, ar.d left i |iast 11 a.m. lor Napier. Crossed th« bar at Jto 12, taking on board two soas. Had a fine north-easterly breeze, and arrived off the entrance at i past 4, but, owing to its being dead low water, lost half an hour in getting to the jetty. The Cleopatra did her work well, and the passengers received every attention from the steward and olficers. The schooner Meteor, Captain George Loverock, sailed from Auckland for Napier, ou Saturday, 25th ult., with a full cargo of timber, doors and sashes, iSc. Passengers, Susannah and Mary Corbett, and one malo European.

The s.s. Wellington, Capt. Holmes, left Auckland at 5"20 p.m. on the 30th ult., and arrived at Tauranga next day at 10"30 am. Lel't again at. 11 35 a.m., arriving in the roadstead on the Ist instant, at 5 p.m. The Wellington attained for Wellington ou Sunday at 1 p.m., carrying the English Panama mails. It is Intended laying the Wellington up at her head-quarters to undergo a thorough overhaul — the s.s. Kangatira taking her berth on the coast, and mny be expected here on her northward trip on Thursday next.

The cutter Dolphin, that has cleared for Auckland with 200 bushels wheat, will take her departure on change of weather. The Storm Bird, due here from Wellington on Sunday last, has probably been detained in port by the gale which Bet in on that day. The Wellington, hence on Sunday afternoon, would have a very tempestuous passage southward. The p a. Cleopatra will be despatched for Poverty Bay on Wednesday next.