THE WRECK OF THE KETCH FANNY. .

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 6984, 6 February 1886, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE KETCH FANNY. .

FULLER PARTICULARS. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Tub ketch Fanny loft Auckland on Monday for Mongonui, and had fine weather up to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, when it came on to blow from N.N.E., shifting slightly to the northward off Tuakaka, when it came on thick and dirty. She bore away for Whangarei for shelter. The vessel kept E by S for two hours and three-quarters ; then bore'a way at 1 1 p.m. for Whangarei, the vessel going about bix knots. At 1.45 on Wednesday hauled vessel to southward. About ten minutes afterwards tho captain altered hia course to W by N to make the Heads. No sooner was this done than the breakers were sson under tho leo. He tried to stay the vessel, but it would not do bo. He then tried to wear her, and whilst doing so she struck on a rock off Kauri Head, about four miles off Whnngurei Heads. There was a heavy sua running, and the first sea that struck the vessel carried away the foremast. Tbo sens made a clean breach over the vesaol, and with the hope of sating the passengers they wero lashed to tho mizen mast, but seeing they were in danger they wer» removed to the companion aft. Hero all hands held on until about daylight, when two of the children died. Soon after that tho vessel broke in. two, and all hands were washed- off. The crew, who managed to get on a part of the companion; and the captain, getting on to a part of one of the masts, wero washed on to a rock and remained all day until 6 p.m.; when, for safety, they all got on to a piece of the wreck, and drifted to the mainland, three quarters of a mile distant. They were there all day, and ,on Wednesday night went in tho bush. On Thursday morning they reached Whangarei Heads. Mrs. Turnbull was the wife of the proprietor of the Settlers 1 Hotel, Mongonui, and the children (girls), wero aged 18 months, two years, and thirteen yearß respectively. Captain Williams is almost prostrntod. Prior to leaving Auckland he endeavored to induce Mrs. Turnbull to take a passant with a steamer rather than go with th< ketch.