WRECK OF THE NORTHERN MONARCH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5113, 11 November 1903, Page 3

WRECK OF THE NORTH ERN MONARCH.

New Plymouth, November 7. The iron barque Northern Monarch, coal-laden from Newcastle to Callao, Peru, went ashore at 6 30 a.m. to-day at Oaonui, five miles from New Plymouth, on the Opunake side. The crew arid passengers aie safe. It is reported that 14 of the crew and the second and third officers landed safely at Opunake. The captain and tbe rest of the crew stood by in tbe boats. The sea ab the time of the occurrence was smooth, with a moderate tide and a north-east breeze. Ie is supposed fchab the barque came to grief while trying to beat through the strait. The Northern Monarch was seen by

settlers ac 6 tbis morning standing down the cobsL clofeG ins!. ore toward Opunake and Balfour, She stiuck off Oaonui, about four miles from Hahotu. The sea was smooth, aud very little wind was blowing. There is no likelihood of the ve*Bel breaking up at present. She is reported to be close iv on the rocks with very little list. The report as to 66 passengers on board has not been verified. The scene of the wreck \s about 34 miles south-weßt of Hew Plymouth, and between Cape Egmont lighthouse and Opunake Bay. The barque is reported to be lying much the same as the Gairloch did when she was wrecked on tbis coast. If any attempt is made to get her off a great deal of cargo will have to be got out. Intelligence received from the postmaster at Opnnake states that the Northern Monarch was wrecked fire miles north-weet of Opunake. She left I Newcastle on October 24, under command ot Captain Wixon, and with a crew of 24 all told. The vessel is now well up on the reef, and is likely to become a total wreck. j Bawera, November 9. The latest report is that'the Northern Monarch, which went ashore off Oaonui, is still upright. She ia apparently 'jarnbed between two reefs, and the breaking«ap process has nob yet commenced. The barqao ia broken amidships, and will probably part under heavy seas. The crew saved only the things in which they stood. An attempt to reach the wreck to save their other clothing failed, the wind driving the boat eight miles from the wreck. Captain Nixon's personal loss ia estimated at £200. The vessel was worth £5,500, and had 1,730 tons of coal aboard. Tho insurances are not known here.

The captain's daughter displayed great bravery, and set a fine example to the men. The crew are still at Opunake,