PERILS OF THE SEA.

Patea Mail, Volume XXIX, 18 December 1908, Page 3

PERILS OF THE SEA.

Supposed Wreck at Castle Cliff. Mysterious Distress Signals. From what we can gather it would seem that another wreck has occurred at ‘‘Castlediff. Mr Edward Bindley was standing on the breakwater when he saw a “ flare up ” shown from a vessel lying close to the shore off the South Spit. The night was dark and there was no indication a few minutes before that any craft was in the roadstead. Mr Hindley ran to the pilot station and informed the pilot. The mysterious vessel continued to show ‘•flares” and blue lights, and the sight caused considerable excitement among the spectators. By the aid of the flaring lights it appeared that the vessel was a three-masted schooner with her topmast gone. She was lying in the breakers off the spii about opposite to the Soap Works. The Urnroa is the only vessel expected here, and it is most probably Bhe. The ship’s boat was seen hanging from the davits over the stern, but it is to be hoped no attempt will be made to use it till daylight. Up till a late hour nothing had bean done in the way of sending assistance as the tide was low. Further information was unobtainable -when we went to press. —Chronicle.