THE LOSS OF. THE BRIG STAR OF THE MERSEY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 1761, 22 June 1877, Page 2

THE LOSS OF. THE BRIG STAR OF THE MERSEY.

morning broke cot a sign of the brig could be \ \ seen. Steamed towards the island, but could ! not ire a vestige of her, and it was erident j she must hare parted her chains and capsized. I The brie was last seen at 10 o'clock on Saturday night, tailing right on to the rock*, the wind being N.W. and W.N.W. allni s ht. The Murray then proceeded oa her voyage to Nelson, as Captain Conway considered it useless stopping any longer. All that was fared belonging to the »hip was two boats, and the captain succeeded m saying his chronometer and a snit of clothes.

BKFOBT OP THB CAPTAIN. The following it from yesterday's Prett : — The brig Star of the Mersey, 255 lons register, Captain John Studholne Hodgson owned by H. Selwyn Smith, of Christcburch' bound from Fort Lyttelton to Newcastle, left the heads at one o'clock on Sunday, 10th inst. About fifteen mile* past Stephen's Island, the wind gradually hauled round to the N.W., and blew stroog, accompanied by thick rain. Finding it was blowing too strong to weather Cape Farewell, stood to the northward at 8 p.m. At 3 a.m. on the 16th, the ship was under two lower topsails, plunging into a Very heavy head tea, and laboring heavily ; it was therefore deemed necessary to run for shelter to Guard's Bay, the glass being very low, acd falling. Pasted the Chetwood* at 4 p.m. same day, the wind coming m from the westward. When abreait of Motongtra the*' wind lightened, and shifted to the touth-wett. Kept away m order to stay the vessel, so as to stand over to the Chetwoods. While the ship was m stays the wind followed her round, and she fell off again, the ebb tide setting her down towards the Island ; had no room to wear the ship, and she would not stay, the only alternative being to anchor, which waa done directly bottom could be found with the hand lead ; the first bottom was found m ten fathoms, and the anchor wot immediately let go. Got out the boat, kedge, and lines ready for warping her out, when the tide turned, but the wind increased so much it was deemed useless to attempt it, to she was allowed to hang with thirty fathoms of chain, hoping that before morning the wind wonld abate, but it increased steadily all nignt until 8 a.m. next day, the 16th inst., when it blew a strong gale from the N.W. } let go the second anchor and gave her 45 fathoms on on* and 30 on the other. At 6 a.m. it was blowing so heavy, with terrific squalls, that 60 fathoms of chain were payed out, and a new coil spring was put on the port chain and secured to the bitts and mainmast, the ship at this time plunging into the sea had dragged within six fathoms of the rocks. The longboat was then got out m case of life, being m danger, it still blowing terrifically, with squalls of rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning. Abont 9 a.m. the crew, numbering nine, came aft and asked permission to pack up their clothes and. get them on deck, as they expected the ship would have to be abandoned. At 10 a.m. the gale was still raging furiously, when the drew came aft and stated that they considered; their lives m danger by stopping by the vessel any longer. Consulted with Hugh Thomas, chief officer, and Wm. Gorman, boatswain, and they likewise being of the same opinion, thought it necessary to leave) ' the ship, when all hands were ordered into the boats, the captain and seven men taking the longboat and chief officer m the gig. Made for Tetoranga, and intended going to the ship again if she rode out the gale. On the way we righted the steamer Murray coming for shelter, bound from Wellington to Nelson ; bailed her and i went on board and saw Captain Conway. Belated to him the position of the vessel, and agreed with him to stop by the ship for 24 hours. Made two unsuccessful attempt! to 'get alonside with the steam**, but it was found it would be only endangering the live* of all on board to make any further attempt until th* gals abated. AneVred m shelter on Guard's Bank, expecting to get the vessel off next moraine (Sunday) ; but towards 11 pan. on Saturday, the gale increased to a hurricane, with Tory h*avy tea, and wh«n ' f