THE WRECK OF THE SHIP IDA ZEIGLER.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 477, 13 March 1869, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE SHIP IDA ZEIGLER.

The following particulars of the wreck of the Ida Ziegler, at Napier, appear in the Hawko's Bay papprs of the 2nd inst.: The morning showed the Bay a mass of foaming waves, which were breaking high over the vessel till about eleven o'clock a.m., when slie was observed to be drifting towards the shore. An attempt appeared to be made by those on board to run her bows 011 to the beach ; but it was not successful. Immediately on striking she turned broadside on to the shore, and, being then at the merey of the waves, it became quite evident that she must speedily go to pieces. During this time the rain wn« filling heavily, and the surf could be seen dashing mast high over the doomed vessel, as she was rocking from side to side, until at length she heeled over on to the beach, and became fixed on her broadside. Two boats, filled with those interested in the vessel and her cargo, and persons willing to lend assistance in rescuing as much as possible, almost immediately left the Spit, and were shortly after on the scene of the disaster, about three miles from the port. Their efforts have been successful in saving some portions of the wreck, and, we believe, some 150 bales of wool, out of a cargo of 250 > which had been placed on board. During the night of Saturday, however, the vessel became completely broken up, and »• a change of wind to the south followed, the greater portion, both of wreck and cargo, was driven out into the bay. It appears that the Ida Zeigler was secured by her anchors as well as to the Government mooring. At the time of the wreck there only remained 570 bales to complete her loading. Estimating the value of a bale of wool at £ls, the total value of 250 i) bales would be about £22,500. Joseph Robinson, one of the persons assisting at the wreck of the Ida Zeigler, has been drowned. He had ventured into the surf to save a bale of wool, when he was overpowered by the drawback of the waves, and carried j out into deep water.