STRANDING OF THE WANGANUI.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 774, 4 October 1878, Page 2

STRANDING OF THE WANGANUI.

The schooner Wanganui, 78 tons, Captain Blaney, bound to Oamaru from Dunedin, with a «ugn of sun. dries for this port and Hok tika, went ashore about a mile south of Pukeuri Point this Homing:, where she now lies. She arrived opposite the harbor at between 1 and 2 this morning-, but captain could not see the harbor light ou account of the thick fog, although he could see Moeraki Harbor lig-ht. Feelintr that he was in the vicinity of the harbor, the captain hauled the vessel in, it blowing strongly from the south-east at the time, attended by a thick fog. When he hauled the vessel to the wind he found that there was too much wind for the canvas he was carrying. He then jowered the mainsail in order to reef it, and while doing so, he saw the breakers. He at once gave orders for the men to let go the head sheets, and f taking the wheel, endeavored to get the vessel round. But as thev were just in the act of reefing the mainsail she would not " come to." When he found she would not -■' stay." he let go his port anchor to check her ; but beior'e'thev could give her sufficient chain to bring her up her heel touched the beach, and she went broadside on to the breakers. At present there is no damage done to the vessel, and it is probable that, as the weather is fine, she will be got off without damage. Capt Russell, Marine Surveyor, will arrive here this afternoon to look into the matter, llr. Thompson proceeded to the vessel to-day and look off all the bonded car"o that was on board. An inquiry into the cause of the mishap will take place to-morrow at noou The owners are Messrs. K. Ramsay, Anderson (Miller) Mowat, and the Captain, and the vessel is insured' in the National Company for USO, i,ew , Zealand Company for L 560, and Standard Company 1 for L3OO.