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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XVIII, Issue 1889, 9 September 1863, Page 2

Loss of the p-s. “Prince Alfred.”— A specia' messenger arrived last night from Wanganui bringing the following communication to George Hunter, E q., relative to the wreck of the p.s. Prince Alfred: —

Wanganui, August 26,18G3. Sir, —I regret to have to communicate to you the loss of the steamer Prince Alfred, on her passage from this port to Otago with a cargo of live stock. I felt it my duty (after calling a survey) to abandon ship and cargo on the part of the owner, and to act as agent for the underwriters, or whom it may concern. I have accordingly landed the greater portion ol the live stock, and have instructed a sale of the same to take place immediately. The wreck is now lying on the beach at the entrance of the Wanganui River (high and dry at low water), and ns there is no great probability of her breaking up* for a few days, and learning this morning that you° are the Agent for Lloyd’s and the local Marine Insurance Company in this Province, I have postponed the sale of the hull, &c., until Wednesday, the 2nd cay of Sep. tember, to enable me to communicate with you to receive such instructions as you may deem proper to furnish, and also to acquaint die Wellington publio to give them an opportunity to compete for it. Subject to your approval, I beg to suggest that you issue a circular in Wellington to that effect. I have the honor to remain, Your obedient servant, (Signed) John Robertson, Master p.s. Prince Alfred, George Hunter, Esq., Wellington,

We take the following additional particulars from the Wanyaniti Chronicle of August 27 We regret to have to record the loss, on Thursday last, of the paddle steamer Prince Alfred, on the south spit. The tide on that day was an unusually low one, owing probably to the strong wind off shore, and had turned some time before the vessel left Purua eicek, where she had shipped a very heavy cargo of cattle. At the ferry she waited about half an hour to ship some pigs and a further detention occurred on her reaching the Scotia, which Vessel, we believe, she was to have towed flown the river had all been in readiness. As it was, she went without her, but owing to the time which had been lost she had to go very slowly for fear of grounding |on the‘flats below Putiki. Ou reaching the pilot station a further delay occurred while landing the pilot, who had accompanied her from town. By the time she reached the heads, therefore, the tide was at about a quarter ebb ; and a general feeling seems to haVfc prevailed on board that it would be foolish to risk Crossing the bar with a vessel so deeply laden (she was drawing over nine feet) at that time ol the tide, and in the face of a very heavy swell which came rolling in, and the captain offered to remain till next day if the pilot thought it advisable. The lalt *r, however, declared there was no risk,and the result was that the vessel (which we understand was always a bad steerer), after bumping several times, lost way, and became utterly unmanageable. The engines were kept working, and an effort made to set some sail, but before this could be effected the swell had lifted her stern foremost on to the spit, where she struck fast and soon disabled her engines. As soon as the news reached town Capt. T. B. Taylor and others went to the vessel, and n;ade various suggestions in the hope of getting her off as the tide rose. These, however, we are told could not be carried out owing to the vessel not having had sufficient boats for the purpose, and to the large boat at the pilotstation not being seaworthly, as well as the injury to the engines being such as could not be rectified on the spot. During the night,' therefore, the vessel drove so much higher that the crew walked ashore dryshod at low water. She also sprung a leak, and between this and the surf breaking over her she became half full of water. On Friday morning her cargo was landed, but all attempts to get the vessel oft’ were unavailing. Twelve cattle were drowned in the vessel, and four swam out to sea after being landed. On Saturday, at the Captain’s request, a Board, consisting of Messrs. T. B. Taylor, W. 11. Watt, W. C. Hylton, J. Brougton, and — Gilbertson (of the Bonnie Lassie) inspected the vessel, and reported that in their opinion it would be useless to make further attempts to get her off with the small appliances at our command, the heavy gale which blew during Friday night having lifted her still fur ther ashure, and injured her still more extensively; she is therefore abandoned. It w’ould appear that the ve.-sel was not in the proper channel, as the pilot stated that soundings subsequently taken by him showed 13 feet water at the shallowest point in mid-channel, and 1 the Lady Bird, a far larger vessel, came in easily yes- , terday morning. Capt. Sharp who came here by the I Lady Bird on his way to Nelson has remained to hold an enquiry as to the wreck.

REPORT MADE BY CAPTAIN GIBSON, S.S. “AUCKLAND.” To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Chief Marine Board Office, Wellington, 13th August, 1863. Sin,—l beg to enclose a report made to me by Captain Gibson, steam ship -JifcAr/and, of a rock or shoal upon which that vessel struck shortly after quitting the anchorage off Napier, Hawke’s Bay. As the danger mentioned is in the direct track of vessels entering and quitting that Port, you may perhaps wish to give publicity to it in the columns of your paper. 1 am, Sir, Yours very faithfully, CHARLES SHARP, Master Warden Chief Marine Board. Report made by Captain Gibson s. Ship Auckland. 11th August 7.45 a.in. Weigh el and canted ship, 8. set on full speed, and rounded Ahuriri Lhifi'. 820 a.m. Ship heading SE. by E. grazed a rock without stopping her headway; immediately stopped the engines, closed valves in the watertight bulkheads and sout.ded each compartment. Depth of water alongside 9 fathoms, tide three-quarters ebb, ship’s draught forward 11 fr., ait 12ft. Gin.: compass bearing taken immediately after striking; north-eastern extreme of Ahuriri bluft’ west. Cape Kidnappers SE., having no deviation with the ship heading SE. by E. .- X I cum stale the bcAylngs to be .correct. 8.30 a.m. Finding the ship iiiaiuii‘g"no water, 'pt’oceeded at half speed; hand lead kept constantly going and pump wells sounded half-hourly. True copy, Cms. Sharp, Master Warden C. KI. Board.