Wreck and Loss of Life.

Southland Times, Issue 9547, 17 June 1887, Page 2

Wreck and Loss of Life.

(By Telegraph.) Lyttelton, June 16. The ketch Clematis went ashore near Kaiapoi to-day, two men being drowned. Capt. Green reports that he left Havelock for Lyttelton on Friday last. At 10 p.m. last night a fresh breeze sprang up, with driving rain. At one o'clock morning he called out all hands to reef ttio mainsail. At this time he estimated that he was at least 30 miles from Lyttilton. During the lowering of thu mainsail a heavy b©& broke over the vessel. Finding the ship in difficulties he triod to stay her, but finding she would not stay tho helm was put up and the vessel put before the eea, and about 1.15 she struck on the beacb. It was found that tka vesiel was on a sandy bottom, and after the men had recovered th emselves a bit all hands turned to in order to remove the deck cargo o£ timbar. The pumps were next tried when it was found Jto&t the vessel was not making any water/ The ketch remains in a good position on tbe beach, and hopes are entertained of getting her off. The crew consisted of seven, viz. : — Oaptain Green, the first mate, known a 8 Harry Smith (who is supposed to be drowned), a seaman (name unknown) who was working his passage from the Sound wa3 also lost ; the other four men, with the captain were saved by remaining on the vessel. The two men supposed to be drowned were believed to hcivo been washed away by the high seas breaking over the vessel. Tho Clematis belongs to Mr W. Duncan, of Ficton, a&d ia supposed to be uninsured.