WRECK OF THE SHIP IDA ZIEGLER.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1027, 2 March 1869, Page 2

WRECK OF THE SHIP IDA ZIEGLER.

It is with deep regret we bave to ohronicle the total wreck of the clipper ship Ida Ziegler, whioh took placo on the Petaue beach (in about the same spot as the Royal Bride was wrecked) on Saturday last. Although on Saturday morning it was blowing a strong north-east breeze, with a heavy sea, no fears were entertained for the safety of the ship. As she was made fast to the Government moorings (the buoy having been brought inside by the Harbor Master to be cleaned), it was thought she would be able to ride the gale out in safety. At noon, however, she was observed by people on the Spit to be adrift, and to have signals flying that the starboard cable had parted. It was evident to observers that she would go-ashore, for before any sail could be got on her she had drifted nearer the beach a considerable distance. Capt. Sellars then had the vessel steered for the beach, as ho saw he could not get it clear. When within a short distance of the surf, she was judiciously put broadside on to tho sea, so that a better chance should be given to save the lives of those on board. She struck exactly at 12.15. In a short space of time Capt. Oellem's boats and crew, with several other boats, were on the spot. Thoso on board the ship fastened a line to a henooop, whioh was bought ashore by the surf, and was immediately seized by Assistant Pilot Kraeft. A line was then got from the main yard arm, and a running cradle was fixed to it, by the aid of which the crew, twenty-eight in number, were all got safely ashore by 1.15 p.m. Messrs. Kraeft, Ross, Symes, and several others deserve great praise for the able manner in whioh they assisted in getting the men ashore at the risk of their own lives. Luckily the spars stood Arm, or it is probable that some of the persons engaged would have been seriously injured. At about 5.20 p.m. the masts went over tho side and the decks broke up, and in about twenty minutes there was little left of the good old ship except broken timbers. Efforts were at once made to save what wool came ashore. During the remainder of tho day a large portion of the wreok and about 160 bales of wool were placed above high water mark. On Sunday a steady S. and S.W. wind blew, which took a great portion of the wreok and wool into the bay, whioh will probably be pioked up on the coast. Messrs. Routledge, Kennedy and Co. sold the wreck by auotion yesterday, when the different lots realized the prices as detailed elsewhere. An inquiry is to be held this day before the Resident Magistrate and Colleotor of Customs, when fuller particulars will be brought out in evidence, whioh we shall lay before our readers.

The B.s. Ahnriri, Capt. Flowerday, arrived off the anchorage at 930 a.m. on Sunday. It being ebb tide, with a very heavy sea on the oar, had to stand off again until fl p.m., when she entered the Iron Pot. She left Wellington at S'SO p.m. on Friday the 20th ult; experienced flue weather till off Cape Palliser, when, at 7 p.m., the wind set in from the N.E., with very heavy sea; passed Cape TurnagainatS p.m. on Saturday, and round the Kidnappers at 730 a.m. on Sunday, and arrived as above. Capt. Plowerday reports having had to steam half speed all the passage, in oonsequenoe jot the heavy weather. We have been informed that it Is probable the ship Cambodia, daily expected in Wellington, will, on the disoharge of her inward cargo, come on to this port to load the remainder of the wool, after which she will proceed to Auckland to complete her loading. The Ahuriri was to take her departure for Auck. land last night. The schooner Savoy Lass will probably leave for Auckland and the coast to-day. The schooner Murewai, Jones, will take her departure for Wairoa, Mahia, Poverty Bay, and Auokland. H.M.S. troop ship Himalaya arrived in Wellington on Saturday from Melbourne. The cutter Grayling was washed against a telegraph post on Sunday morning and oarried it away. It was repaired again during the day.