WRECK OF THE GUIDING STAR.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1778, 14 October 1862, Page 3

WRECK OF THE GUIDING STAR.

We regret tj have to announce a mishap to another of our coasting steamera. The Guiding Star is again on shore, but tve believe that strong hopes are entertained that she will be got afloat very speedily. It seems that the Guiding Star, which is a scew steamer of 74 tons, commanded hy Capt. Fraser, was detained at Invercargill from Monday last to Saturday, by the uninterrupted prevalence of heavy weather. On Saturday, when the wind was light, but with a strong swell, the steamer started for Riverton, having on board a tolerably good cargo for that place, mainly from Dunedin, and also a few passengers. The channel in the New River, between the Bombay Rock and a sandy spit opposite to it, is always awkward at low water; but the Guiding Star, when just abreast the rock, and apparently running quite safely, struck heavily, and began to fill bo rapidly that the shortest course to the shore had to be taken to avoid her sinking. We are told that Captain Fraser believes that what the steamer struok waß not a unknown rock, but was probably a lost anchor. She was run on to a sandy beach, at the Maori Kike, within a mile of McTaggart's accommodation house, and about twelve miles from Invercargill. The passengers were easily got ashore, and assistance was obtained from Invercargill, the New Chum, sloop, being brought down to receive the cargo, a Custom House Officer being in attendance during Saturday night to watch the bonded stores. Hard work was carried on as long as possible on Sunday, and on Monday the New Chum was sent on with all the cargo. Being grounded at low water, the swell at high water goes completely over the vessel, and when the Aphrasia passed her on Tuesday, the roundhouse was very much damaged, but the hull acemed to be all right, except as regards the original injury. We are told that the vessel is not insured at all, and Mr. Green, the owner, seems confident that he will be euabled to get her afloat again: She was ashore at the Bluff about twelve months ago, when Mr. Green purchased her, and as she theu had thirteen holes in her bottom, her owner sees no reason to be discouraged when, as he says, she in all probability has had but one hole knocked into her. — Otago Witness, 4th October.