WRECK OF THE FIFESHIRE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 17 October 1923, Page 18

WRECK OF THE FIFESHIRE

HOW 7 IT OCCURRED

Tlie Examiner of March 12, 1542, has the following account of the loss of the Fifeshire:

::lt is our painful duty to have to record the loss of the barque Fifeshire as she was leaving this port, to proceed to her voyage to Macao, in China. At half-past ten on the morning of the 271 h of last month she weighed anchor, with Mr Moore on hoard as pilot. The wind was very light, owing to which she did not arrive at the entrance of the channel until the ehh tide had commenced some little time. She had nearly passed through the channel, with every appearance of getting out well, when the wind suddenly failed, and the tide-way carried her right on to the rocks, and she fell broadside on the Arrow reef. All possible means were used to heave her oil', the ledge of rocks lying immediately under her mainmast. Her hack is completely broken, so as to render hopeless any attempt in this harbour, in its present state, at making her seaworthy. She has been accordingly condemned, after a survey by the captains in harbour. The evident suitableness of that portion of the spit of shingle called the ‘lsland’ for slips and docks, assures us that in a short time we shall have means of laying vessels up for repair equal to those of any harbour in New Zealand. The Fifeshire was a very fine vessel, and this is her first voyage. Captain Arnold, who is, we believe, part owner, was justly proud of her; he has the sympathy of all in his regret at this distressing occurrence. There is no blame, we believe, attached to anyone, unless, indeed, we might suggest the impropriety of a vessel of any burthen attempting to leave this harbour without boats to tow her out, and give assistance, in ease of such unhappy accidents as the present.