WRECK OF THE PADDLE STEAMER NELSON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 385, 24 October 1868, Page 2

WRECK OF THE PADDLE STEAMER NELSON.

Moi'e than once last week," flying rumours,reached our ears, of some midfortune having occurred to the-steamer Nelson, but we gave them no currency simply because they were unaccountable. On Saturday night however, these rumours assumed a definite shape by the arrival of intelligence from the south, of a portion of the wreck of a steamer having been picked up in "Woodpecker Bay, Brighton. The particular mention of a paddle-box forming part of the wreck, and other circumstances gave such a substantial character to the report, that wo despatched one of our staff to Brighton expressly to ascertain the fact. Previous to his return, the arrival of the Charles Edward at mid-day yesterday, placed us in possesion of the fact of the total loss of the Nelson at West Wanganui. Captain Palmer was unablo to furnish full particulars of the disaster, but from his statements we gathered that the Nelson was lost in endeavouring to steam out of West Wanganui, that she struck to the northward of the entrance, and became a total wreck, all hands however being saved. This happened either on Monday or Tuesday. One oi her firemen walked overlaud to Pakewa, and from thence intelligence of the disaster was conveyed to Nelson. The steamer Lady Barkly was then chartered by Messrs N. Edwards and Co, the owners of the Nelson, to proceed to the scene of the wreck, but she was unable, owing to the bad weather, to get further than Massacre Bay, aud returned to Nelson. The Charles Edward left Nelson on Thursday morning before news of the misfortune had reached, and she heard of the event only from a communication she had with the Lady Barkly when lying in the shelter of Totaranui. The Charles Edward did not call at West Wanganui on her passage round as the Kennedy was 1o follow immediately after, or as soon as the weather allowed her to do so.