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27

Return of Wrecks and Casualties to Shipping reported to the Marine Department from the 1st April, 1898, to the 31st March, 1899.

Datb of Casualty. Name of Vessel, also Age and Class Rig. Eβ ™ Number of )er of 'assengers. 1 Cargo. Natu Nature of ire of Number of Lives Casualty. lost. Place where Casualty occurred. Wind. Decision of Court of Inquiry, Ac. Name of Maetev. i 3 Direction. Force. 1898. .pril 2 58 General Collision; partial loss : Wakatipu, s.s., 22 years Schooner 1258 45 S.S. " Wakatipu " was coming up harbour with flood-tide and strong fair wind. When nearing Victoria Wharf she got into shallow water, and, refusing to answer her helm, ran into the " Laira," which was moored to wharf, and sank her. Captain Smith and his officers exonerated from blame Vessel was found to be on fire in No. 3 hold at 3 a.m. Magazine was opened and 20 tons gunpowder thrown overboard, and also some eases of rockets and other explosives which were in that hold. Fire was extinguished without much other damage to cargo and ship Casualty caused through wind failing just before crossing the bar Fire originated at head of steward's bunk; supposed to have been caused by box of matches being knocked over, or its contents got at by rats Vessel was on voyage from Motueka to Wellington, and in early morning, while in sole charge of mate, C. A. Eicketts, and in thick hazy weather, ran on rocks, and remained fast for a quarter of an hour, when she floated off In steaming to anchorage in Port Hardy, vessel going slow, engine broke down. The intermediate shaft was found to be bent, and coupling-bolts to stern shaft broken. Vessel was towed to Wellington by s.s. " Ohau " After crossing bar the propeller dropped off, vessel having auxiliary screw worked by oilengines Casualty occasioned by mainsail being blown away in fierce squall Casualty caused through cables parting and wind suddenly falling light; vessel was driven ashore by heavy sea Vessel pitching in heavy sea; two blades of propeller were carried away George Gordon Smith." ' 2 Laira, 28 years Barque.. 492 13 Wool and tallow Collision ; partial loss Victoria Wharf, Dunedin N.E. Fresh breeze Peder Hoigh. 8 - Tekoa, s.s., 8 years Schooner 2647 General Lat. 49° S., long. 162° 40' E. On voyage from London to Dunedin N. Hard gale Joseph John Hamon. 48 Fire on board; partial loss m 15 St. Kilda, 30 years Aorere, s.s., 12 years Schooner 189 8 Coal .. Stranded; partial loss Fire on board; slight damage ! Entrance to Wanganui River Queen's Wharf, Wellington w.s.w. Light .. James White. a y 2 Ketch .. 49 9 General William Tinney. 9 Wairoa, s.s,, 14 years Ketch .. 48 Produce Stranded; slight damage Harding Point, Cook Strait S.E. Moderate Frank Perry Bicketts. Kawatiri, s.s., 14 Schooner Shaft disabled Port Hardy, D'TJrville Island Berthold Apstein. 11 years 286 IS General W.N.W. Strong breeze Hercules,! year Schooner General Loss of propeller Okarito River 17 51 5 3 Edward Alfred Stenbeck. 19 Wanderer, 37 years Aratapu, 20years Gutter .. 23 3 7 Coal .. Stranded ; total loss Stranded ; par- \ tial loss I 1J miles south of Marsden Point, Whangarei Whangamata Beach, south-east of Coromandel Peninsula Off Ohau Bay, Cook Strait E. Strong breeze Gale .. George Frost. 20 B r i g a ntine 122 Timber and 1 N.E. William Gilmer, 30 Wakatu, s.s., 9 Schooner 95 "J 12 general Produce and general Loss of two pro-peller-blades S.S.W. Gale .. James Wills. years