Total Wreck of the Gairloch.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11814, 7 January 1903, Page 5

Total Wreck of the Gairloch.

THE CREW SAFE

Per Press Association,

NEW PLYMOUTH, January 6. Ihu Northern Steamship Company's steamer Gairloch. bound from Kawhia'to Opunake, went ashore about midnight on the rocks south of Oakura. 18 miles from New Plymouth. She is believed to be a total wreck. The crew are all safe, and pulled iv a boat to thei breakwater.

The Harbour Board's (hedge has gone to the scene of the wreck. The night was very thick. Later. The Gaii'loch left Onehunga on Saturday for Raglan and KaAvhia, leaving the-latter port at 2 p.m. on Monday for Onunake and Wanganui. She had 90 tons of cargo, but no passengers. The crew numbered 21.. .The sea, was smooth, but the weather was very thick.__ She grounded at f.wcnty minutes to twelve. The .crew remained on board till daylight., and then proceeded in a boat to the breakwater, reaching there at' 6.30. Captain Austin and the officers left again at 9 o'clock to see what salvage could be effected. The vessel is lying about a quarter of a mile from the beach.-..with her bottom out —?, total wreck. Coming down last, night the Gairloch passed the Xgapuhi, bound from the breakwater to Onehunga, so close that she had to sound the whistle to avoid a collision, the night being so dirty. AUCKLND. January 6. The Gairloch's cargo included—For Opunakc. 308 bags sugar; for Wanganui. 2891 bags and 20 sacks sugar, 18 packages drapery, 22-cases golden syrup, 1 cask molasses, 5 cases tobacco and cigarettes, 49 eases finit, 3 eases varnish. 12 cases ironmongery, 1 landau, 1 plough. 40 cases jars. 10 packaires vestas, 40 cases sulphuric acid. 10,400 feet sawn, timber, 3 drums ink. 10 bundles doors, 5 cases confectionery, 12 coils rope, 3 cases Germina, 5 bugs spokes, 10 drumsoil, and sundi'ies. The principal shippers wcto the Colonial Sutrar Com>>anv. R. O. Clarke, I'aitridge and Co., Jackson and Co.. and the Kauri Timber Company. Late.v. The Noi'thcrn S.S. Company do not insure their vessels, so that, the loss of the Gairloch to them is a total one. The value is about £12,000, but she could not be replaced by so serviceable- a vessel for thai sum. This is the first vessel the company has lost through being wrecked. Other accidents liuve happened, but there have been no total losses. The company can also boast* that not a single life has been lost through accidents to their vessels. Mr Chas. Rausoti, manager of the Northern Steamship Company, left for New Plymouth today, and (hence will go to (he scene of the wreck to see what can bo done i in the war of salvage. I