RUDDER FROM WRECK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 12

RUDDER FROM WRECK

OVER SEVENTY YEARS OLD DISCOVERY IN THE NORTH [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] DARGAVILLE. Friday Believed to be the rudder of the French frigate Alcmene, which was wrecked on the West Coast over 70 years ago, an interesting relic of the past was unearthed by Mr. M. Izzard at Chase's Gorge. The rudder, which is of excellently-preserved oak, Bft. 6in. long, 3ft. wide at the base and 6in. at the neck, was made of two pieces of timber, dove-tailed together, and measuring 3Jin. through. The Alcmene went ashore in the vicinity of the place where the rudder was found. The rudder was in the bed of a small stream, the course of which has changed since. Mr. Izzard is willing to give the rudder to the naval authorities at Auckland or any other responsible body. In the meantime, it is at his, home in Mangawhare. Constant north-easterly winds in October last year lowered the beaches on tho west coast and uncovered portions of tho Alcmene, which was wrecked off Bayley's Gorge in January, 1851. A portion of the hull was exposed for 40ft. The timbers of oak and teak, although blackened with age, were still in a splendid state of preservation. The heavy iron stanchions, however, were heavily corroded, but still intact. Further , down the beach lay tho forepart of tho vessel. When tho ship went ashore some members of tho crew were drowned, but the remainder lived for somo time in the deckhouse, which was washed ashore near the scene of the wreck. Tho frigate afterward broke up, portions being scattered along the coast. Some interesting relics of tho ship are in tho possession of residents of the district. Others have been sent to the French Naval Museum in Paris from time to time.