WRECK OF THE KIWI.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVI, Issue 7795, 14 April 1894, Page 2

WRECK OF THE KIWI.

(BV^I'ELEGRAPU—P.<KSS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, April 13. Tjie Kiwi appeared to strike amidshii: and tho water filled the hold.

Wlicu the crew, fourteen in number, left the vossel, the water was within a foot of tho deck, A boat was launchod, and when she was about three" hundred yards off the vessel gave a lurch and sank, bow first. She was valued at £3,500, and insured in the Yictoria Office for £3,000; portions of risk being transferred to other offices as follows •" New Zealand £500, Commercial Union £500, South British £50, Standard £'250, National £250, United £250, Thames and Morsoy £250, Tho steam tug Duco leaves for Glenborn this evening to bring tho officers and crew of tho wrecked vessel to Wellington. Latek.

The steamer Duco returned from Glenburn to-night with, the crew of the illfated Kiwi. Capt. Campbell of the latter vessel reports that he arrived at Glenburn from Wellington on Wednesday, but it was blowing a hard uor'-westor. Later in tho day however ho landed the cargo, and started for Flat Point about lp.m. Ho remained at the helm until tho Kuliu rocks were passed, and was then relieved by one of the crow, orders being given to keep the vessel on the present course, oast by north half-north. They kept this course until the rocks wero a quartor of mile away then bearing south-sou'-west, It was' then about 425 pm. The captain nnd engineer, who woro on deck felt the vessel graze on some sunkon objoct, but very slightly, and the contact was so slight that those in the engine room, and also those for* ward did not feel tho concussion, The Captain ordored the pumps to be sounded, and Mr Doiker, mate, reported "no water," Capt, Campboll on looking over tho sido, saw the vessel nearly down to tho phimsoll, and called out that sho was sinking. The pumps were asrain sounded, but still no water was recorded, Capt. Campbell then looked down the chain locker and saw that the vessel was doomed, as thero was then 7 feet of water there. The vessel at that time was threo miles off the shore. The surf ! boat! was lowered and the crew, with a daughter of the mate, and Mr Ferrar, a passenger for Flat Point, got in—l 6 all told, After the boat was 30 or 40 yards away the Kiwi disappeared. Capt. Campbell is of opinion that the rook on which she straok is of a pinacle shape, and says that had the aocident happened at night all hands would have been lost. The Maoris in the vicinity, and Mr and Mrs Mooro, of Glenburn station, rendored the crow every assistance.