LOSS OF SIX LIVES

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1933, Page 9

LOSS OF SIX LIVES

WRECK ON EAST COAST. THE 66TH ANNIVERSARY. The 66th anniversary of the wreck of the steamer Star of the Evening, which occurred with the loss of six lives off Gable End Foreland, East Coast, early on the morning of February 13, 1867, fell yesterday. A screw steamer of 147 tons, the Star of the Evening left Napier the previous day with 1200 sheep for Auckland, and was travelling at full speed when she struck a reef five miles south of the foreland. The crew and three passengers clung to the rigging, and at dawn two seamen, James Wheeler and William Hammond, swam ashore with a line, which, however, broke when brought into use. Hammond returned to the vessel to find that no more line was available. Captain Turner ordered all hands to swim or float ashore, the three passengers, the cook, the steward and a seaman being drowned in the attempt. For two more nights, five of the crew who remained on board were without food or shelter. They were rescued when Hammond and Wheeler swam to the wreck with another buoy and line when the weather moderated.