STRANDING OF THE BARQUENTINE ST. KILDA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9389, 16 March 1898, Page 2

STRANDING OF THE BARQUENTINE ST. KILDA.

The Vessel In a Precarious Condition.

A Portion of the Cargo of Coals

Jettisoned,

The barquentine St. Kilda, from Westport, with a cargo of coals, arrived in the roadstead yesterday (Tuesday), and received the signals from the Pilot Station to take the bar. At the time a fair wind was blowing, but just as the vessel got on to the bar the wind dropped to a dead calm. Tho pilot at once signalled " keep to sea," but it was too late, and tbe barquentine drifted on to the- South Spit, about half-a-mile to the southard of the entrance to tbe bai\ M-r Hati'ick, the owner of the vessel, went down by the Charles Edward yesterday afternoon, and ordered the cargo to be jettisoned (about 60 tons being thrown overboard), in tho hope that with favourable weather the St. Kilda would be towed off early this morning, an anchor being got out seaward for that purpose. Towards midnight, however, a fresh nor'-wester sprang up and piled the Vo3sel right un on the beach, where she now lies with a big Bea rolling. Should the weather moderate, the St Kilda may bo taken off without a great deal of difficulty, but if the present gale continues she will not be floated easily. The vessel is valued at £1700, and the hull is insured for £800 and the cargo for £300 in the N.Z Insurance Co. The latter has wired to Captain Bendall, the Underwriters' surveyor, who is expected here to-morrow to superintend the arrangements for floating her.