WRECKS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 761, 1 October 1886, Page 11

WRECKS.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Bluff, September 24

Two wrecks occurred here last night, viz., the topsail schooner Maid of Otago and the Government schooner Kekeno. The former vessel was bound to Riverton with general cargo from Dunedin, and the Kekeno was returning to port after a three-months’ cruise at the outlying islands. Shortly before midnight a strong easterly wind sprung up, which rapidly increased to a perfect gate, with an intensely dark night. The Kekeno was the first to enter the port, and reached the lower anchorage shortly after midnight, but owing to the gale her anchor chains were broken, and the vessel was driven ashore. The Kekeno, now at high water, is standing upright, with the sea washing over her and bumping heavily, and will not la9t long if the wind continues” The tug Awarua went to her assistance at daylight this morning, and the crew with their clothing were taken on board the steamer and landed at the wharf. Captain Greig, formerly Harbormaster here, was master of the Kekeno, and was thoroughly acquainted with the port. The Maid of Otago, owing to the heavy gale, was running into port for shelter. As she neared the red light at the starting point the captain was evidently deceived by the distance of the land, and hugged the point too closely, and in consequence is supposed to have struck on the remains of the s.s. Pelham. Blue lights were burned by the crew, which the night watchman replied to. The pilot boat was launched immediately, and the crew were taken off and landed at the pilot station. The master and crew lost all their effects, and had it not been for the pilot boat their lives would in all probability have been lo3t. The schooner has sfnce broken up, and at 8 a.m. nothing was to be seen of the hull. The beach is strewn with cargo and portions of the vessel. The insurances are not known here, but the Maid of Otago and cargo is supposed to be covered in Dunediu. The Kekeno is not known to be insured.

Later.

Fetersen, not Fraser, as previously telegraphed, was the master of the Maid of Otago, wrecked at the Bluff this morning. The crew had a narrow escape, their boat being stove, and but for the fact that the watchman was at the Point and called the Pilot Staff they would probably have perished. The Harbor Board have recently decided to give up keeping a night watch, and the man is under notice to leave the service.

Invercargill, September 24

The schooner Maid of Otago is 50 tons register, and was commanded by Captain Fraser. She struck the rock outside where the Pelham was wrecked. The Kekeno was from Stewart’s Island to Bluff. When the cable snapped it was not detected, and when first noticed the vessel was close on the rocks. An effort was made to save her by letting go the second anchor, but it was then too late. The tug tried to get the schooner off to day but was unsuccessful.

Dunedin, September 24. There were no insurances on the hull of the Maid of Otago. The insurances on the cargo are : —Union, £240 ; Standard, £250 ; National, £224 ; Equitable, £llO ; Viet oria, £lO6 ; United, £65 : New Zealand, £250. Total, £1245.