WRECK OF THE PLEIADES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8664, 6 November 1899, Page 2

WRECK OF THE PLEIADES.

NARROW ESCAPE FROM LOSS OF LIFE. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, This day. The whole of tne oflioers and crew of the barque Pleiades (with the exception of Captain Burton) were btought to Wel-j lington by the steamer Himitangi yesterday. They are twenty in number. Judging from the story of their mMiap the vessel appears to have had a very narrow escape from total destruction. At daylight on Tuesday she was seen to be dangerously close to the land, but all efforts to wear her were unavailing, and as she was slowly drifting ashore before a heavy gale, Captain Burton decided to run the vessel ashore in order to save life. The first mate, from the mizzen rigging, directed the steersman to a small piece of sandy beach in Akiteo Bay, and at 8 a.m. the vessel was ashore in au upright position. It was by the merest bit of luck that the vessel missed the reef which runs out from Akiteo, and on which the sea was breaking with great fury. Had she struck this, she must have gone to pieces in a few minutes, and the pro bability is no one would have survived to tell the tale. When she was beached the officers and crew reached dry laud in the lifeboat. The crew recognised they had got out of a very tight place, and three hearty cheers were given for Captain Burton. Fortunately the men saved all their personal effects. The vessel came through the ordeal practically without damage. All the masts and rigging are iutact, and the boat is making scarcely any water. She is high and dry forward, but the stern is afloat at high water. Owing to the rough nature of the coast line, very little hope is entertained of getting her off.