TOTAL LOSS OF THE BARQUE STAR OF VICTORIA, OF LAUNCESTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 767, 2 June 1864, Page 4

TOTAL LOSS OF THE BARQUE STAR OF VICTORIA, OF LAUNCESTON.

I The " Southland Daily News " announces the wreck) at the New Eiver Heads, of the fine clipper barque. Star of Victoria, Captain M'Eachern, of Launceston. The Star of Victoria cleared at Invercargill, for Launceston, on the 17th instant, with the following passengers, viz : —Mr Clepham and three children, Mrs and Miss M'Eachern, Messrs Joseph T. Harris, E. Tyson, Hurst, I): Spott, George Taber, John Maples, and A. Davison, in the cabin, and six in the steerage. The cargo consisted of 99 hides, and 80 bags bones, shipped by Messrs C. E. and C. S. Button. She proceeded down the river on the 19th instant, as far as the Mokomoko, where she brought up, and was then detained until yesi terday morning, when, at about seven o'clock, she was taken in tow by the steam-tug. Aphrasia, and by a little after 8 o'clock, they were proceeding through the New River Heads, the wind at the time being strong from the north-west, and a heavy head sea running. The hawser which attached the barqae to the tug belonged to the barque, and was supposed to be of great strength; but the tug, having an unusually high sea and strong wind to steam against, was apparently not possessed of sufficient power to move the barque, and in the frequent jumps she gave, the rope, it is presumed, got broken gradually, and at about 8.15 a.m. it gave way. Mi Pilot Bray was at the time in charge of the barque, and he and the captain of the vessel gave the necessary in structions to set sail, &c, and these were rapidly carried out by the crew. At this time the rocks on the eastern head were not distant more than 200 yards, and although the ship answered exceedingly well, tha distance was too small and the seaway wherein to work her was not of sufficient extent to admit of her (passing the danger, and she struck The Aphrasia was brought as clnse as possible and fa tenel to the barque, and everything was done which could possibly be suggested to get her in deep water again, but all attempts failed. As the tide flowed, the vessel continued to bump heavily, and at about twelve o'clock it was found that the water was.coming i jto the hold rapidly ,• and although th^ pumps ■were brought into requisition, their services were unfortunately not of »nu;h use: for at three o'clock the hold was full, but the cargo and the passengers' luggage had been pr-viously placed on deck. Soon after ten o'clock, the Harbormaster, Captain Greijf arrived at the scene of the disaster, having with praiseworthy promptitude proceeded there immediately upon perceiving the accident from bis station, and ns the tug had, soon after the vessel struck, been compelled to run inside the Heads for shelter, he sent directions at eleven o'clock for her to come out again, and this order was obeyed with alacrity ; but it1 was found that she could not get near the ship. She therefore returned inside, and it was with difficulty that she was able to eet back again. After the barque struck, the waves rapidly increased in sizj, and she labored very heavily. The royal yards were now sent down, and other efforts were made to steady the vessel, but they were only attended with partial success, for she continued to roll and pitch, and to bump on i therocks with great violence. Thepassengers were taken off about two hours after the barque struck, in the ship's, the Harbor Master's, and Pilot*' boats. They were" all safely landed upon the rocks, about three-quarters of a mile from the Pilot Btation, but this work was performed with great difficulty, for several of the passengers were, after stepping upon the rocks, washed off by the waves. They at once proceeded to the Pilot Station, where everything was done to make them comfortable. The whole of the crew and the passengers, with the exception of Messrs Harris and Tyson, cabin passengers, and six steerage, stayed at the Heads. Those mentioned were brought to Invercargill by the Harbor Master, in his lifeboat. As the barque was full -if water at 5 p.m., and then bumping in a violent manner, it is expected that when the wind veers in the least to the westward, she will break up. A survey will be held to-day upon the wreck. The Star of Victoria was quite a new vessel, of clipper build, of 297 tons register, and only came off the stocks during | the latter part of 1863, from the yards at Aberdeen. She arrived in Launceston early in 1864, and has, since that time, been regularly employed in the trade between Launceston and this port, and was, from her light draught of water and ample capacities, exceedingly well suited for this. trade. She was the joint property of Messrs T. White and Son and of her commander Captain M'Kachem, and, we are informed, was insured in the office of the Derwent and Taraar Insurance Company, at Launceston, for LSOOO, a sum, however, which was below her actual cost and present estimated value. Judging from the information we are possessed of, and with which we

have now presented our readers, it would hardly appear that blame pan be altaohed to any person •iirtiri3 disastrous affair. ■ ~ The " News,1' of the 29ih, states:—" The barque Star of Victoria has been lifted higher on to the rocks, but so faithfully was she built that generally speaking most of the timbers in her are still in a perfect condition. Her mssM and rigging also, are standing and in good order. Oapt. M'Eachern came up to town from the wreck

about 5 pm. yesterday, and reported that the whole of- the cargo and passengers' luggage had

been safely landed. The hull, spars, rigging, boats, &c, will be sold to-day by Messrs Carey and Gilles, at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Dee street, at 2 p.m., on account of the underwriters.