STRANDING OF THE KETCH HUON BELLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue I, 6 September 1878, Page 2

STRANDING OF THE KETCH HUON BELLE.

THE CAPTAIN'S STATEMENT. About noon yesterday the captain of the ketch Huon Bille arrived in Foxton, and reported that his vessel was ashore about five miles north of Foxton, having been unable to weather the frightful westerly gale which blew on Wednesday night. Captain Kerns reports as follows : — We left Wanganui wharf at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, and crossed thd bar at 2.30 p.m., with a light N.N.W. breeze and calm sea. It 7 p.m., when about 20 miles S. of Wanganul, the wind, which had changed to W.S.W., blew violently, with hurricane force ; I never know it to blow harder ; we begaa to shorten sail at 4 p.m., and at 7 p.m. had to heave-to; the gale blew strongest at 2 a.m., and as I was unable to keep her off the land, she was beached at 5 this morning (Thursday), to save the hull and lives of the crew. A heavy sea wps rolling at the time on the beach. As it was about half ebb tide, when the tide was out, the men easily got ashore, and I came to town to report the misfortune. The men stay by tho vessel in a tent, fixed under lee of the saud-hills. She was put ashore bows on, but the heavy sea has slewed her round to tho broadside. The Huon Belle is a well-known coastal trader, ketch-rigged, 42 tons burden, Hobart Town built, and a centre-board barge! She wis owned by Messrs. Campbell and Booth, of Kakanui, Otago. We hare not been able to ascertain if she is insured. It is uncertain whether sho can bo got off, but Captain Kerns will stay by until he gets instructions.