WRECK OF THE SCHOONER DEESE ON

Colonist, Volume IX, Issue 927, 14 August 1866, Page 7

WRECK OF THE SCHOONER DEESE ON

CAPE FAREWELL SPIT.

(From The Colonist, July 21)

The schooner Deese was un fort uuately wrecked on Cape Farewell Spit on the night of the 20th July Sho left Newcastlo on the 30ih June,.with a cargo of coals for this port. Having experienced variable weather, she reached Capo Farewell on Friday the 20th, being at sunset about 5 miles to the N.E of it While iv tins position two steamers passed to the westward. A shift of wind from the eastward en used her to stand for the south-east, and at 11.30 she struck the graund. Cargo was thrown overboard and every'effort ■ made to get her oil,* but without avail, and she had to be abandoned. Before daylight on Saturday, the hands hiving secured v few articles of clothing, a few biscuits and some water, abondoned the vessel, and at 5 a.m. the boat was on a bank about two miles irom the mainland. The men then had to abandon the bout, and endeavor to reach the rising ground by wading through mud, swamp, and sand the whole of the distance to the rising ground, where they remained till Saturday. \Neit day they erected a signal of distress, and observed that the Bi'hoouer ■ was still visible, but the masts had gone. On Sunday a steamer passed without observing their »ignal, another observed it but could not communicate with them on account of the heavy surf there at the time. Some trouble was taken to attract the attention of a schooner in Massacre Bay, but without 'effect." Meanwhile the men were suffering from exposure and insufficient food, and tbe assistance rendered by the Tararua did not come too soon. This aid was brought about by the steamer (the Keera) which observed their signal of distress, having reported the case on reaching Wellington, and the Turarua departing then, c shoortly alter, Captain Bouson, Manager of the P.N.Z and A.R.M Company, directed Captain Ferguson to proceed to the Kandspit before coming to Nelson. This was clone, a boat sent on shore at the place indicated, and the master and five men were taken on board tUe Bteamer and brought on to this port-