TARANAKI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2219, 15 June 1865, Page 5

TARANAKI.

I' WRECK 01? Till! SCUOOXER ECLIPSE.-- -'-' The TaranaJci lie raid of the 7th inst says: — '' It is with regret wo have to record (lie wreck of '; another vessel in this roadstead, namely, that of the line clipper schooner Eclipse, of t)7 tons rcgis- °' ter, — Hunter, master, which went ashore on the c reef about 4.15 a.m. on Tuesday. Tho Eclipse arrived here from Dunedin on the 27th ultimo, '. with the following cargo ' for this placo : — 4 qr- _ casks port wine, 20 eases bottled been, 2GB bags 7) nilgai", 40 eases brandy, 130 bags malt, 10 cases u stout, 2 cases bacon, 160 bags salt, 20 cases )f lobsters, 5 barrels vinegar, 10 kegs herrings, 400 L0 bags flour, 1236 tongued and grooved boards, and , e for Sydney 517 cases whisky. The following is ia the report of tho captain : — " On the 30th. ult. ,n "mva compolicd {q put t° sea owing W a strong ga.le

from N7W. Returned to anchorage on the 2nd instant. On Sunday, the 4th, at 1.30 a.m., a strong gale from north coming on, with heavy sea, was compelled to slip anchor and stand off. Returned to anchorage on Monday, at 10 a.m., weather looking fine j and discharged cargo that dny up to 4 p.m. : was very particular in requesting the coxswain of the boat taking cargo on shore to bring off ballast in proportion. Up to 2 a.m. on Tuesday, there was every appearance of fine weather, when wind came in light from N.W. Having only one anchor, I had determined on I proceeding to sea if wind set in towards shore, keeping hold of remaining anchor. At 3.30 a.m. got under weigh and stood to the southward ; put the helm down and stayed the vessel, but she did not come round. She payed off afterwards, but by the time she was filled on she struck. Immediately put out the boat, and sent her in charge of the cnief officer and two of the crew, with two passengers I had on board for Sydney (as well as Master Willie M'Donald, son of Mr M'Donald, of Dunedin, placed under my charge on a visit to that city) to endeavor to land. They succeeded in getting hold of the surf boat line, and held on until one of the shore boats eame to their assistance. The remainder of the crew stuck with me by the vessel. At 5 a.m. showed four blue lights but received no answer. At 7 a.m. one of the surf boats came alongside, and I asked them if they wore going to take any oai go ashore. They replied " No, we have come to rescue lives." Myself and all hands then went on shore. The above is, as we have before said, the statement of Captain Hunter, as given to our reporter verbatim. We have to add that every exertion was used by Capfc. Hunter and Messrs Webster Brothers, into whose hands he placed the business of the vessel yesterday morning (after the wreck), to save the cargo, and wo are happy to say their efforts have met in a great measure with success. The following has been saved : — 4O cases and 1 qr-eask brandy, 517 cases whisky, 3 qr-casks wine, 20 cases bottled boor ; also, though somewhat damaged, nearly all tlte flour (11 tons) and about 168 bags malt. Some portion of the cargo had been landed before the disaster occurred, but the only portion actually lost is about 28 bags sugar. The Eclipse was ownod by Capt. Robert Kelly, of Sydney, and is, we believe, insured in the Sydney Marine Insurance Office (Mr Metcalfe's), though not to her full value. A survey was held on the wreck yesterday (Tuesday) morning, by Lloyd's agent and Capt. Holford, when she was at once condemned to bo abandoned. She was sold by auction this day (Wednesday), by Mr F. XL Q-ledhill, and realised altogether (besides cargo) about £90. We understand from Mr Chihnan, Collector of Customs, that it is his intention to institute an enquiry into the cause of the wreck of thia vessel before the Resident Magistrate. This will, probably, take place to-morrow (Thursday).