Wreck of the s.s. Lord Worsley.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 125, 13 September 1895, Page 3

Wreck of the s.s. Lord Worsley.

Mr J. Kennedy purchased from a native a couple of days ago two silverplated gravy ladles and a silver-plated fork, each of which had the name “ Lord Worslcy ” engraved on the handle. Th y are in an excellent state of-presorvation, considering they have been in possession of natives for the past thirty-three years; since the s.s. Lord Worsley, on her voyage from Nelson to Taranaki, was wrecked on the coast about a mile north of Opunake. There are yet vestiges of the machinery to be seen lying on the beach. On the afternoon of August 31st, 1862, the ill-fated steamer sailed from Nelson tbe weather being fine. Before they had proceeded far on the voyage a fresh S.W. breeze sprang up, with a heavy sea running. Most of the passengers turned in, and all Avent well till about midnight, when a very heavy gale came on. Shortly after, the captain was heard giving orders to “ call all hands on deck.” The noises on deck and below increased alarmingly, and the ship was then found to be bumping on the rocks with breakers all round. When daylight came it was seen that the vessel had gone ashore between two reefs, which jut out forming a small bay at the back of Mr Dudley’s residence. All the passengers, including a number of ladies, were got safely ashore and were hospitalably entertained by the Maoris at the Te of which Wiretnu Kingi was the chief. After spending a few days with the Maoris, bullockdrays were procured, aud they and their belongings were taken into New Plymouth.