WRECK OF THE STEMER NELSON.

West Coast Times, Issue 971, 2 November 1868, Page 4 (Supplement)

WRECK OF THE STEMER NELSON.

(From the Xfelson Examiner, Oct. 17.)

Intelligence of the total Avreck, at West Wanganui, of the paddle steamer Nelson, belonging to Messrs N. Edwards and Co;, of this city, Avas brought from CollingAvood yesterday forenoon by the steamer Lady Barkly; one of the firemen of the Nelson having been sent by Captain Dillon to meet the Lady Barkly, for the purpose of conveying to his owners the earliest intimation of the disaster.

The Nelson left Ibis port for the West Cost on Thursday, the Bth instant, Avith eight or ten passengers and a full cargo. From the westerly Aveather encountered, she Avas compelled to put in at Totaranui, and after getting round Cape FiircAvell to seek shelter in West Wauganui, Avhere she Avas lying on Monday last, the Avind bloAving heavily from the south-irest. ToAvards evening the Avind shifted. to the north-west, and became light, and Captain Dillon resolved to proceed on his voyage as soon as the tide Avas favorable. It Avas high water about eight o'clock, and on the Nelson approaching the bar it Avas found that a heavy sea Avas still running outside, and in a feAV minutes she was struck by a sea Avhich carried aAvay the fore-companion, poured cloAvn into the fore-cabin, and put her down by the head. In a feAv mmutes this avos folloAved by another sea, Avhich swept the decks of the steamer clean, carrying aAvay funnel, deck-houses, boats, bubvarks, &c. The vessel had hoav become unmanageble, would not steer, and drifted on to some rocks inside the south spit. Subsequently she got clear of these rocks, and drifted for a distance of a mile and a-half, and struck on another rock inside the north head, Avhen she remained, the lmll having opened six inches just before the paddleboxes. Draper, the fireman, Avho brought the news of the wreck to Nelson, sAvam on shore with a rope — both boats having gone — which he made fast to a rock, by means of Avhich the crew and all the passengers reached land in safety, though not Avithout difficulty, as the night Avas exceedingly dark. Next morning it Avas found that at loav Avater the A-essel Aras dry, so there are good hopes that her cargo and machinery may be saved, for the steamer Avas uninsured, and is valued as being Avorth £6,000.

The steamer Lady Barkly Avas chartered by Messrs Edwards to proceed at once to PakiiAvau to land Mr Brown, the chief engineer of the firm, avlio will then Avalk across to Wanganui; and as the Kenned}', belonging to the same firm, was yesterday lying Aveather bouud at Totaranui, she will call at Wanganui and take on the passengers of the Nelson as soon as the Aveather moderates.