TAURANGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 839, 23 July 1866, Page 6

TAURANGA.

WRECK OF THE ATSNIE LAURIE. (ibom ecu own coratEsroNDENT.) . July 19. The cutter Bella, Captain Faulkner, arrived last night from Wanganiata, bringing from that place the crew aud passengers of tho Annie Laurie, which vessel foundered between the Mayor Island and the Aldermen, on Monday the" IGlh instant. The following is Captain Gordon's account of the disaster:—

The Aunie Laurie was on a trading voyage to Napier, and other places on (lie !Kast Coast. Sunday, 15th, anchored under <he Mayor, wind strong from the N.K. ; at !> p.m. a heavy squall from iN'.AV. ; got undcrwcigh,.aiul stood ofl tlie island ; wind veered round to K E., and split the staysail; stood off shore with single reefed jib and close reefed maiusail until half-past 3 o'clock : at 4 shipped a very heavy sea, and found she was making much water, and were round. Kept pumping and baling until there were five feet water in the hold, and the s%;a making clear breaches over her. Launched, the boat at G o'clock, and stood by in ease of emergency—and in a few minutes saw the vessel settling down. Got into the boat, and when a few yards ofl", the vessel gave a heavy lurch to windward, and went down. We then bore away for Wangnmata, trusting to Providence for a safe deliverance. After pulling about three hours, we sighted. AVangamata heads about two miles distant —weather very thick. On getting close in, found the surf very heavy, and landed under the lee of Clarke's island, oil' Wangainata. Waited there till low water, when the sea went down, when we got on to the mainland at Wangamata, where the cutter Bella, Captain Faulkner, was lying at anchor, by whom we were received with tho greatest kindness, and who kindly gave us a passage to Tauranga, where we arrived on the evening of the 18th instant.

Mr. Mnilland Ellis of Auckland was tlie owner of this vessel, and i t is lo be feared she wns not insured.