THE OSPREY CONTROVERSY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7191, 3 December 1884, Page 5

THE OSPREY CONTROVERSY.

In connection with what appeared in our issue of yesterday, from Captain Ross, formerly of Geelong, Mr. Robert Stone, shipbuilder, Thames, furnishes us with, some important information. He 'remembers the three • masted schooner, American built, which Captain Ross refers to, quite well. The vessel traded between New Zealand and the several colonies then in existence, and was wrecked in Loutit ; Bay, near Cape Otway, in the summer of 1853. The veßeel frequently traded to Geelong, and. on one occasion while lying there, was run into by the Franoes, which was subsequently wrecked near Belfast. Mr. Stone was instruoted to repair the injuries done to ,tho stern of the Osprey, and in due time the repairs were completed. While the repairs were .in progress a discovery was made of a valuable lot of blaokwood in Loutit Bay, and steps were taken to get the timber out. A vessel, the Rebel, was sent to Loutit Bay for somo of the timber, and while being-loaded was wrecked in consequence of the • heavy sea that sometimes rolls into that Bay.' When the news reached Geelongof the wreok of the Rebel, the Oeprey had been repaired, and I aha was despatched to Loutit Bay for the timber. While there a gale came on, and tho vessel became then a total wreok. This was the termination of the Osprey that visited Auckland in 1849 for tho nrst time, and which made a trip to California from this port with a cargo of timber and potatoes. Mr. Stone is unable to throw any liijht upon the movements, of the Osprey referred to by Mr. Howse, of Parnell, whjeh was'a much larger vessel than the American built schooner of that name.