NELSON.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 360, 19 June 1877, Page 2

NELSON.

ANOTHER WRECK. June 18. The p.s. Murray arrived late last night, with the crew of the brig Star of the Mersey, which left Lyttelton for Newcastle on the 10th instant. On Friday, when past Stephen's Island, it was blowing furiously, and the vessel labouring in a heavy sea, so she ran back to Guard's Bay. When abreast of Motagara, kept away to stay the vessel, but she would not stay, and there being no room to wear, and as the ebb tide was setting her on to the island, the only alternative was to anchor. At night it blew worse than ever, and the ship began to drag, so on Saturday morning the crew abandoned her, and were picked up by the Murray, which agreed to stop 24 hours. She made two unsuccessful attempts to get alongside, and anchored for the night under the nearest shelter. On Saturday night the gale increased to a hurricane, and on yesterday morning there was no sign of the brig, which is supposed to have parted her chains and capsized. The brig Albion, which left Hokitika for Melbourne on the 9tli inst., with kauri logs, arrived yesterday. On the 12th a tremendous gale sprung up. A heavy sea broke on board, floated the logs, and smashed the bulwarks—the ship labouring and straining severely. She sprung aleak, and had seven feet of water in her hold, which gradually shifted the sand ballast to starboard, giving her five feet list to that side. On the 14th the wind increased, and she continued shipping heavy seas, and so ran for Nelson. She will have to be discharged before proceeding to sea. There are five passengers on board.