SCHOONER ASHORE AT LYELL BAY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 41

SCHOONER ASHORE AT LYELL BAY.

During the storm on Tuesday (May 20) the fore and aft schooner Alert, of Lyttelton, 45 tons, commanded by Captain Keys, was cast ashore in Lyell Bay, fortunately without loss of life, her crew reaching the shore in safoty. The schooner, laden with produce, left Lyttelton on Saturday afternoon for Greymouth. Off -Waipapa Point on Monday night she encountered the south-west gale. The weather became very thick and there was a tremendous sea running. The little vessel flew before the wind through the night, and all went well until about 2 a.m. when a great sea broke on board, nearly stamping hei. Tho storm still raged fiercely on Tuesday morning, and tho weather was so thick that Captain Keys could not make out his position. Early in tho morning a Union Company's steamer was seen quite close to tho schooner. She rushed on before the storm, Captain Keys believing that he was getting through the straits. One of the crew went aloft, but could not see land anywhere. About 8.30 a.m., however, they found themselves dangerously close to tho rocks on tho eastern side of Lyell Bay. As it was impossible to weather Sinclair Head, Captain Keys headed the schooner for the centre of the bay. More sail was set, and she ran ashore almost opposite tho cable houses That the crew had a providential escape there can bo little doubt. Had their little vessel been dashed on to the rocks during tho night, probably nothing moro would have been heard of them.

Mr H. M. Haywood, who lives close to the beach, had seen tho vessel go ashore, and with! a friend, Captain Richards, who was staying with him, lost no time in getting to the beach to give whatever assistance was possible. Several fishermen who live on the eastern side of the bay, who had been trying to save their boats, also came round to assist in getting tho crew ashore. One of tho fishermen, John Holloway, waded through tho surf, and brought a lifebuoy and lino, thrown from the schooner, to the shore. A largo rope was attached to the line, and this was pulled ashore. Two of the crew got ashore by means of this rope, and the other two landed in tho boat. The men landed about 9.30, and MiHay wood at once took them to his house, where they received tho most hospitable treatment, for which they are very grateful.

At the time the schooner struck, the surf was breaking up against her, but was apparently not doing any very serious damage. She had drifted several hundred yards to the westward before tho crew landed. The foresail and staysail were kept set, and they assisted in sending her further ashore. She now lies in an upright position, apparently uninjured, on a sandy beach. A softer spot could not have been chosen. The vessel was high and dry at low water.

The crew consist of Captain Keys, John Mclntyre (mate), and Richard Madren and John Grey. The Alert was built at Auckland, and is a smart-looking vessel. She is owned by Messrs Cook Bros., of Lyttelton. The cargo consisted of 120 bags potatoes, 60 of chaff, 60 of carrots, and 220 of bran. The vessel is uninsured, and Captain Keys believes the cargo is also uninsured. The vessel was floated off on Saturday, the 9th.