SHIPPING DISASTERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3267, 17 March 1885, Page 2

SHIPPING DISASTERS.

Auckland, March 16. The Auckland steamer Thomas Russell was wrecked at Oreti Point, Bay of Plenty, on Saturday, during 1 the gale. The steamer is a total wreck, but all her crew have been landed m safety. Oreti Point, upon which the vessel strnck, is about eight miles to the north-west of Capo Runaway. There ia no doubt that the captain (Helander) had been running for shelter at the time the Thomas Kussell was wrecked. She was almost a new vessel, having been hnilt for the Waikato Coal and Steam Company by Messrs Forrest and Sons, of London, m the latter part of 1883. She was built of steel, and was of 252 tons grosa, with engines of 60 horse-power nominal. The steamer Minnie Casey, a smart steamer of 74 tons, experienced the fnll force of the storm m Kaipara Harbor on Saturday morning, and m crossing the bar at Kaipara Heads was m such a helpless condition that sho was almost driven out to sea. The steamer left Dargavillo on Friday morning with fourteen passengers, of whom two wore ladies. In passing Long Beach, above the Pilot Station, several hoavy seas wero shipped, and it waa with difflnlty that the pumps wero worked and the steamer kept clear. Tho storm increased with snoh force that the only resource was to make for Helensville as quickly as possible. While passing the Heads the steamer was carried out towards the bar by the forco of the gale. The seas shipped had worked into tho cabin and hold to such an extent that the fires wero extinguished. An attempt waa made to work the steamer under canvas, but tho sails were blown to ribbons when bent. To make matters more serious, the provisions ran short, as only sufficient had been taken at Dargavillo for tho ordinary rnn to Helensville, and tho supply was exhausted on Friday night. The passengoi'3 worked with a will m assisting the crew to keep the water down. The pumps at length became unworkable, and buckets had to bo used to reduce the water m the hold, it having risen to several feet at one time. On Saturday forenoon, when the wind had somewhat abated, canvas was set, and the steamer proceeded to, and at half -past four p.m. made, Helensville. The passengers and crew were all much exhausted from want of provisions and the heavy work they had undergone m pumping the steamer.