THE DERELICT SCHOONER OCEAN BIRD.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3495, 11 May 1872, Page 2

THE DERELICT SCHOONER OCEAN BIRD.

The derelict schooner Ocean Bird was last night towed into our harbor by two of Messrs N. Edwards & Go's steamers — the Charles Edward and Lyttelfcon, and she now lie3 at our principal wharf, bottom upwards, with her masts floating alongside. It is believed by maritime men that tho bodies of some of tho crew will be found in the vessel, as no doubt ' she suddenly " turned turtle" in a gale. The Oceafl Bird left Lyttelton with chaff and other horse feed, consigned to Messrs D. M'Lean j and Co, of Greymouth. The rate of freight j was low, and, we are informed, in order to Becure more room for her light cargo, she took in little or no ballast, and was consequently crank and too light, a circumstance which doubtless led to her capsizing. The Lyttelton was despatched last Wednesday night; to the wreck, and found her near Farewell sand spit on Thursday morning. Captain Scott made fast to the veßsel, and began to tow her fco Nelson, bufc fcbo weather came up so bad from the N.E. that, after towing oil Thursday night, she found herself and her prize had drifted to D'Urville Island. Captain Scott found he could not make Port Hardy, and, therefore, compelled by the state j of the weather, be fixed an anchor to the j Bchooner, and left her near Port Hardy, returning to Nelson to conl. Tho Lyttelton then left again for the wreck on Saturday afternoon, and, on reaching her, found that the Ocean Bird had drifted seowarde, dragging her anchor about seven miles from where she had been anchorod, singularly enough, avoiding the numerous rocks in tho way. When tho Lyttelton reached her, the Ocean Bird was near Stephen' Island, and there she again bent on a hawser. On Sundny morning the Charles Edward, which arrived that morning from the West Coast, b teamed out to assist the Lyttelton, whom she found in possession of the Ocean Bird, and attempting to tow her to port. Both veßsels made fast to the wreck, and after a variety of incidents in tlie shape of chains breaking and hawsers snapping, caused by the resistance of the sails under water, the two steamers slowly succeeded in towing the wreck into Nelson harbor, where they arrived last night, accomplishing the passage perforce at the rate of a little more than two miles an hour. In crossing the bar the masts struck the ground, and the vessel turned broadside up, but; they soon got into deeper water, where her keel was again upper*

"most, until, within the harbor, the maßts once more struck bottom, and snapping, came up floating alongside, held by the running gear. She was thea brought to the Government wharf, where she now lies, keel up. She will bo righted to day, and her contents, we fear, will afford work for a coroner and his jury. It is said that a sum of between £300 and £400 in gold and notes was on board the vessel when she left Lyttelton. The Ocean Bivd, which is 33 tons register, was commanded by Mr Judge. She left Lyttelton on 17th April for Greymouth, having on board 25 kege and 42 sacks of malt, 117 sacks of bran, and 356 sacks of oats. — Colonist, May 7.