FURTHER PARTICULARS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9288, 2 December 1878, Page 2

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

(BT TELEGRAPH — PRESS AGENCY.)

Wellington, Dec 2.

The steamer Southern Cross arrived here at midnight. She reports sighting the ship Southminster, 1243 tons, Captain McFee, 23 hands, and the Captain's wife a passenger, on shore inside Kelp reef, between Cape Campbell and Flazbourne, while on her voyage from Lyttelton to Wellington. They aent a boat to the vessel, and found that she had four holes in her bottom. The water was washing in and out with the rise and fall of theltide. There was seven feet of water in the hold at high tide, and a foot a low. The Ship went ashore on Friday morning early on the Shepherdess reef in thick foggy weather, while stearing N E by N, knocked her rudder out, and afterwards drifted inside Kelp bed, where she mow lies with » rock through her bottom. The oargo consists of Yankee notions, with reapers and binders and American organs, from New York, in all about 500 tons. All the crew rigged up tents, and are living ashore. They declined to leave in the Southern Cross, the Captain having gone to Kaikoura. There is no chance of getting the vessel off. aud if a S E wind came up she would soou go to pieces and all the cargo be lost. It is understood shs is insured in London, but particulars are not obtainabb, except from the Captain. It is said the Stella has gone to the wreck. Later: The Union Insurance Company has £550 on the cargo of the Southminster, and the National £00. The South British has also a considerable risk on the cargo, but decline to furnish any information. ChSistchukch, Nov. 30. Shipping Co. have received a telegram under date, London, 28tb, which reports that the Piako will resume her voyage on the 20th Dec, She is now repairing the interior damage ; the hull is undamaged. A large portion of the cargo stored is burnt. Auclland, Nov. 30. The Taranaki has broken in two, and sunk in deep water. The wreck will be sold on Tuesday. Capt. Worsp, on behalf of the South British Insurance Company left per steamer for the scene of the wreck.