Wreck of a Barquentine.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 67, 26 February 1895, Page 3

Wreck of a Barquentine.

Waxganui, February 24. The barquentine Gracd Duit, 98 ton 9, Capt Pi:gbe, from OWenc River'. N.S.W., haded with ircnbaik timber for the Government Railway Department, went ashore at the - n Saturday evening, and is now a completo -wreck. All the bands seven in number, were saved. The pilot says he gave siguals to stand off, and warning the boat ot danger of which no notice was taken. At the time the boat struck—s.4s p.m—it wanted some hours to high water, which on Saturday night was at 9.2 G. It is believed the vessel was insured. The captain doe,s not know in which office or for what amount. Inspecter Thomson received the following wire from Sergeant Villers, Waoganni last evening :—" Top-sail schooner Grace Dent, Capt. Pughe, from Clarence River, with iron-bark timber for Railway Department, while taking the bar at G o'clock last night, struck the bar, and drifting down through losing her rodder, was wrecked on north side of the bar, breaking up about two hours after. The captain and crew swam ashore, the boat being smashed. Nothing was saved. The harbormaster states he signalled the schooner to put to sea, bar unsafe, but captain appears to have mistaken the signals. The vessel is insured in the North Queensland office, but the amount is not known. Cargo consisted of 79,000 ft, consigned by Murray Bros, Clarence River."