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Marine Causalities
Shipwrecks items pre 1900 from New Zealand newspapers of the day.

"Shipwrecks still keep occurring, despite all the aids available these days."
Ian Farquhar 2003

Demise of Vessels  Ashore

Daily Evening Bulletin, (San Francisco, CA) Monday, May 12, 1890; pg. 4

The bark Emilie, owned in San Francisco, laden with timber, was wrecked on the 26th of March, near Stewart Island. The Captain and seven men were drowned.

Evening Post, Wellington 21 April 1890 Editorial.

The Loss of the Emilie.
As a rule nautical enquires are simply a farce. Unfortunately both the Customs and the Marine Department are in some measure on their trail in this inquiry. Had they displayed due vigilance and done their duty, the Emilie would not have been permitted to go to sea on her last fatal voyage, but would have been unequivocally condemned as she lay at the Bluff Wharf. She was in every sense a "coffin" ship, one of a class which we had hoped Mr PLIMSOLL had driven off the high sea. A rotten hull held together, as one of the survivors has graphically described, by red paint, the fate of the vessel in even ordinary bad weather was a foregone conclusion. Masts, rigging, sails, and every other portion of her gear were equally rotten and unseaworthy. It may appear extraordinary that such a vessel could find officers to command or a crew to work her. We all know, however, that seamen are reckless. While a ship floats they deem it a point of honour to stand by her. They think she will last just one voyage more, and they chance it. On this occasion the cargo gave the ship an additional chance - she was timber laden, and therefore not likely to founder. Meeting with bad weather, but not of exceptional severity, she was thrown on her beam ends, all her gear was destroyed, and she simply seems to have opened out and gone to pieces, all on board save three perishing as a consequence. On her outward voyage from San Francisco to Melbourne the crew were at the pumps day and night. When she went into dock at Williamstown there was five feet of water in her hold. Her canvas and running gear were manifestly rotten. The bolts were eaten by rust, and the wood in which they were set was so decayed as to give them no hold. The steward of the vessel attempted suicide while she lay at Bluff, and the offended law at once laid hands upon him for venturing to seek his own life, but the law was silent and inactive when he and eight others went out to their death in this coffin ship. Not a hand was raised to save them from their almost inevitable fate. It is hoped that the enquiry will fix the blame on the right shoulders, and that condign punishment will be administered to the persons who are in fault. If it turns out that nobody is to blame, that the law is defective, and that it is nobody's business to prevent death-traps being sent to sea, then the law must be amended without loss of time. Men must not be permitted, for greed of gain, to despatch coffin-ships with very little regard to whether they are likely to reach the end of their voyage or not. It will be interesting to learn whether the Emilie and her cargo are fully insured, and if they were, how it came about that such a risk was accepted.

Reference online: Papers Past Images online. NZ National Library.

The Times, Monday, Oct 21, 1833; pg. 3
The Fairy cutter has been sent to examine a vessel wrecked on a shoal in lat. 29?.30 30? S. and 158.39 E.; she proves to be the Elizabeth, of London, and supposed to have been wrecked about 20 months ago, on a voyage from New Zealand to Sydney.

The Times, Wednesday, Mar 15, 1837; pg. 7
Oct. 3 - The James Laing has been on shore in Nokianga River, NZ, and received considerable damage. She has been surveyed, and must come to Sydney to repair.

The Times, Tuesday, May 09, 1837; pg. 2
The Elizabeth (American whaler) was wrecked on the North Cape, NZ, in May, and all on board perished.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 30 May 1840, Page 3
The "Bee" reports the total wreck of the "Aurora," lately from this port, at Kiapara.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 24 April 1841, Page 2
On Wednesday night, Port Nicholson was visited by the heaviest gale experienced since the settlement has been formed. It occasioned great apprehension for the safety of the shipping, but the ensuing morning proved it was without any ground, for all the vessels were safe at their anchors. Better proof of the excellence of the anchorage could not be afforded. In many of the best ports in the world such a gale would have driven half the vessels on shore.
Wreck of the schooner Jewess. � Intelligence reached us last evening of the wreck of the schooner Jewess, belonging to this port. She left here about a fortnight ago, bound for Wanganui and Taranaki ; with a valuable cargo on board, and Messrs. G. Wade, H. Churton, and Carrington, as passengers. She encountered foul weather the whole of the time, and had been lying at Kapiti some days. She parted both her cables during the gale on Wednesday night; and after a vain attempt to keep her off with canvass, she was laid on her beam ends by a terrific squall. Her masts went, and she righted, but we regret to sate that Mr. G. Wade and a chief called "Wide-Awake," who were clinging to the masts, were never seen again. Mr. Churton was much bruised, and nearly all the crew disabled. Capt. Moore writes that she is on shore at Pakakaria, 12 miles to the north of Porirua, on an open beach, exposed to a dreadful sea. The unfortunate sufferers are endeavouring to save what property is washed on shore, and a party of forty persons all armed started early this morning to render them assistance. The vessel, it is feared, will become a total wreck.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 5 June 1841, Page 3
Adam Brown, (mate) Henry Bayley, and Edwin Leathart, were charged with having deserted and robbed the wreck of the Jewess, and Norton Harris, with aiding and abetting them in the same.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 3 July 1841, Page 2
Mr. Churton arrived from Kapiti on Saturday last ; he states that Mr. Lavien's vessel had arrived there from Kapiti, and was bound for Cloudy Bay. The Sand Fly, going into Kapiti, had struck on a rock and had sunk. It was expected that she would be got up again. The schooner Jane was at Porirua ; she had been at the wreck of the schooner Jewess.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 14 August 1841, Page 3
LOSS OF THE WHALING BARQUE  DAVID.
Last Wednesday week it blew a strong gale from the South, and the day was much overcast. This vessel, commanded by Captain Mill, and owned by Messrs Henty, of Launceston, in running for the Straits, found herself embayed in Palliser Bay. The wind -was blowing on shore, and the vessel was within three miles of the coast before the commander was made aware of the danger to which he was exposed. Every effort was made to beat her off the const, but failing success the masts were cut away, and the Vessel brought up by casting both anchors. She remained at her anchorage for about an hour, when it was found she was dragging, and . was beached at about 10 o'clock A.M. She was driven on shore, and the greater part of the crew saved themselves, by abandoning the wreck at favourable moments during the receding of the surf. There were twenty nine persons on board, and twenty six saved themselves. The other three, men before the mast, lost their lives by getting entangled with the wreck. The natives received them kindly. The vessel is a complete wreck � she had one hundred and twenty tuns of black and sperm, oil on board of this, together with some of the ship's stores, a large quantity is washed ashore.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 18 September 1841
Colonel W. Wakefield has resigned his seat in the Council.
We are sorry to have to announce the wreck of the brigs Transfer and Speculator. They were driven on shore, about four weeks since, while taking in oil, in a bay some thirty miles to the southward of Akaroa. All the crew of the Transfer saved themselves. Two of the seamen of the other vessel were drowned ; and six men belonging to a shore party unfortunately lost their lives in boldly attempting to save the lives of the two seamen. All the cargo is saved, we believe, of both vessels ; but there is no hope of getting either of them off the coast. The oil these vessels were loading was destined for this port, and would have been sufficient to load a large London vessel.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 30 October 1841, Page 2
The schooner Surprise, in passing the bar at Wanganui, a few days since, in consequence of becalmed, got into the breakers, and has become a total wreck. We are happy to be able to state, that all the persons on board landed in safety.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 13 November 1841, Page 2
The Surprise is, a total wreck about a hundred yards to the westward of the entrance of the river. She must have been lost through pure carelessness, as the night was perfectly calm, and the crew confess to having allowed, themselves to be drifted ashore by the swell

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator,  27 November 1841, Page 2
I left the Bay of Islands in the Helen Russell, and when off Cape Runaway, we experienced heavy gales of wind for a continuance of four days ; we were driven about and wrecked at a place called Ki-te-kawa-kawa, about twenty miles off East Cape, with four hands on board (one was drowned.) No sooner had we landed, than we were attacked by a party of natives headed by two or three white men, when they stripped us, and commenced, plundering the wreck of every thing moveable ; sails, ropes, provisions, and trading property to the amount of �500. I am Mr Editor, Your obedient humble servant D. M'Carthy, Late Master of the Schooner. Wellington; November 23 1841

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 22 December 1841, Page 3
WRECK OF THE WINWICK.
Wellington, 17th Dec, 1841. To W. B. Rhodes, and those few who remained at the wreck of the barque Winwick Sunday night, 12th inst. We, the undersigned, passengers, officers, and crew of the Winwick, beg to, offer our utmost thanks, and grateful acknowledgments for your prompt and constant attention to us while on board... Also to William Gully and his crew, who took us from the wreck as soon as the sea would allow, the whale boat to put off, and who behaved with great coolness throughout. (Signed by ,Wm. Ware, master, Jane Williams, James Williams, A. Plaistowe, passengers; Charles Burgess, chief mate; Thomas Tupper, Francis Felix, John Fergusson, Joseph Field, Michali Ricioll, Samuel Twist, James Yeoman, Thomas Capper seamen.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 15 December 1841, Page 2
The late Gale. � This port was visited  a strong gale, from the south-east on Saturday night and Sunday last. The sloop Royal William, which sailed for Ucaroa on Saturday about noon, was compelled to put back ; but sailed again on the following Monday.  The Middlesex, from Sydney, with cattle, n beating in, was taken in a squall very suddenly, and driven upon a rock, over which he forged, and sustained considerable damage.  The wind now was fair, and she ran in; but the gale increasing, and the rain descending in torrents, compelled her to-anchor off Evans Bay, where she remained until Monday morning, when she came up the harbour, and immediately commenced landing her cargo. She makes a good deal of water, and the pump have to be kept constantly going. The Middlesex will be taken into Evans' Bay, to be  hove down and repaired. 
    On the same evening, the barque Winnick was wrecked in Lyall's (or False) Bay. This vessel had been loading oil at Kapiti, and having taken in her cargo, was on her way to this port to clear out. She had been  anchored under the lea of the island of Mana, awaiting a fair wind, when about noon on Saturday, a N.W. wind set in, and she proceeded for this port, hugging the land, in order to make a good stretch into the mouth of the harbour on entering, and to shorten the beat ; when just before rounding Barrett's reef, the wind changed very suddenly to the S.E.  The vessel was immediately put about, to fun through the Straits but not being able to weather Sinclair's Head, ran ashore in Lyall's Bay.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 15 December 1841, Page 2
Another wreck took place the same night. The ship Elbe, of New York, a whaler, came in from the eastward, bound for Port Nicholson. She had encountered light variable winds for three days, and at one time was within four miles of the port, but seeing no signal of any kind, was afraid to venture in. About half-past five, p.m., the wind suddenly shifted to S.E., which threw the vessel on a lee shore. She was then off Palliser Bay. Every exertion was made to beat off, but at every board she went to leeward, and at length became embayed in Palliser Bay. A council of the officers was immediately held, when, in order to save life, it was determined to run the vessel on shore. She is a total wreck, but we are happy to say that all hands are safe. News arrived about 12 o'clock on Monday, and prompt measures were immediately taken to afford succour to the unfortunate crew. Two boats were immediately dispatched with provisions and everything likely to be required on such an emergency.

The Times, Friday, Dec 10, 1841; pg. 3; col A
The Ellen, schooner, is wrecked on Portland Island, off Hawkes Bay, New Zealand; crew and cargo saved.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 15 December 1841, Page 2
Another wreck took place the same night. The ship Elbe, of New York, a whaler, came in from the eastward, bound for Port Nicholson. She had encountered light variable winds for three days, and at one time was within four miles of the port, but seeing no signal of any kind, was afraid to venture in. About half-past five, p.m., the wind suddenly shifted to S.E., which threw the vessel on a lee shore. She was then off Palliser Bay. Every exertion was made to beat off, but at every board she went to leeward, and at length became embayed in Palliser Bay. A council of the officers was immediately held, when, in order to save life, it was determined to run the vessel on shore. She is a total wreck, but we are happy to say that all hands are safe. News arrived about 12 o'clock on Monday, and prompt measures were immediately taken to afford succour to the unfortunate crew. Two boats were immediately dispatched with provisions and everything likely to be required on such an emergency.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 15 May 1844, Page 3
We regret that it is our duty to announce the total loss of the schooner Erin, which took place on Monday night, the 22nd April, about twenty miles on the east side of Cape Palliser. The man, who was at the wheel, supposed they were steering from the land, when she suddenly bumped on a rock, and was soon broken to pieces. We are happy to say no lives were lost, and that most of the cargo is saved.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle,  21 September 1844, Page 1
We learn that the barque Magnet has been wrecked near the Kaikoras. We are not in possession of the exact particulars, but believe she was taking in oil for Sydney, from the stations of Mr. J. Jones, and, being caught in a gale of wind, was driven on shore.

The New Zealander July 5 1845 Page 1
On Sunday, the 29th June, the weather was most tempestuous. In the morning, a vessel named the "Ana and Sarah", crossed the bar in safety, and entered the harbour.  Soon afterwards another vessel was seen attempting to cross the bar, but in effecting it, she touched to, and was turned bottom upwards. The anchor went down, and she laid quite unapproachable on account of the heavy sea. Every soul on board, four in number, perished. She proved to be the Richmond, Capt Brown, from Nelson and New Plymouth, and Mr Aubrey of the latter place, was a passenger.

New Zealander, 18 October 1845 page 2
Wreck of the Cataraqui, 802 tons, from Liverpool to Port Phillip 414 lives lost. Captain C.W. Finlay, sailed from Liverpool on the 20th April, with 369 emigrants, and a crew, including two doctors, Mr Charles and Mr Edward Carpenter, (two brothers), of 46 souls. Nine souls of 423 survived. The emigrants were principally from Bedfordshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. She struck a reef on the west coast of King's Island, at the entrance of Bass Straits. The names of the saved are Mr Thomas Guthrie, chief mate; Mr Solomon Brown, emigrant; Messrs John Poberts, William Jones, Frances Millan, John Sympson, John Robertson, Peter Johnson, able seaman, and William Blackstock, apprentice.

The Times, Wednesday, Oct 27, 1847; pg. 3 Wellington
The Louisa Campbell bark, Capt. Darby, was totally wrecked, and has since broken up on a sandy peninsula (not the Sandspit), off Cape Farewell, on 5th May. She had come from England to Auckland and was then on her way from Taranaki to Nelson, No lives were lost.

Daily Southern Cross, 25 September 1849 The following losses are reported in the Wellington papers :
The schooners "Ocean" at the Chatham Islands;
"Neptune," off Long Point, Hawke's Bay ;
"Comfort," with all hands, in Queen Charlotte's Sound ;
"Gipsey," at Cape Turnagain, on the East Coast �
and the cutter "Catherine Ann," from Nelson for Wellington, at Port Gore.

The Southern Cross Tuesday 8 January 1850 pg2
The schooner 'Providence,' Capt. James, which but a very short time since became the property of Messrs Low & Motion, whilst on her first trip (in ballast) for them, to Proverty Bay, was totally lost at the Whale Island, near Tauranga. She dragged her anchors during one of the heavy easterly gales. Two other vessels were lost.

The Times, Thursday, Mar 07, 1850; pg. 8
Subraon, A1, 610 tons, conveying emigrants. Captain John Powell Mills. Wrecked with 60 passengers on board. Shipwrecked off Wellinton Harbour out bound to Sydney. James George Hill, late chief officer of the Subraon. Sailed with Captain Mills on the Troy for two years. The Subraon left Plymouth (Christmas, 1847).

The Southern Cross  March 1 pg2
The brig  'Richard Dart,' sailed from Gravesend on the 5th April, bound for Auckland, having on board as passengers
Lieutenant Liddell, R.E., 28 sappers and miners, 4 women and 9 children
Dr and Mrs Fitton and child
Dr Gale
Mr Kelly.
At half past three p.m. on the 19th June, land was reported ahead, about a mile distant (which turned out to be the north side of Prince Edward's Island). The vessel was immediately brought to the wind, and an attempt was made to put her about, but having missed stays, they endeavoured to wear short round. Just as she was before the wind, she struck heavily on a sunken rock and beat over it, the roller having stove in the stern windows, filled all the boats and tore them away from the quarter and booms; and swept into eternity 47 individuals. Mrs Fritton had fallen on the lower deck, and as the booms rose, the lower pat of her person was jammed underneath the spars; Lieut. Liddell held her hand, and supported himself with the other hand on the rail; the captain and survivors flew to the main rigging, when a second roller broke over the vessel and swept away the gallant young officer and the suffering lady. The brig was broadside to the shore, the mainmast fell shoreward, the survivors escaped upon it, with the exception of the mate, who saved himself by the bowspirt, and in a few minutes the hull separated to fragments.
    The rocks being precipitous, they had great difficulty in reaching the cliffs, several seas breaking over them before they reached a place of safety. It was then dark, and they all huddled close together for the sake of warmth, and passed a wretched night. The next morning they found a few blankets on the rocks and some clothing, but no provisions except a single piece of beef. They then constructed a hut with pieces of wood from the wreck, and allayed their hunger by eating the raw flesh of young albatrosses, which they found in their nests.
    After seven days' rest they exerted themselves in exploring the island, undergoing the most dreadful suffering from cold and snow-storms (one of the soldiers dying from bruises and the effects of frost), and on the 42nd day after the wreck they fell in with a party of men, in the employment of Mr. Jeary, of Cape Town (who are left there for a time to kill sea elephants and prepare the oil), who generously shared their stock of food equally with the sufferers for 32 days, when the schooner "Courier," of Cape Town, touched at the island with a supply of provisions, and the wrecked party embarked in her, and, having touched at Crozette Islands, they arrived in good health in Table Bay on the 10th November.
    Captain Laye, who perused the narrative, informed us that the captain, mate, four sappers, and four sailors, were all saved. There is a remarkable parallel between this wreck and that of the "Lady Munro," on her passage from Calcutta to Hobart Town, on the somewhat adjacent Island of Amsterdam, on the 11 October, 1833. She, too was running before the wind; but struck before she could make the slightest attempt to stay or wear. Like the "Richard Dart," she went to pieces on the instant, 75 souls passing into eternity, and 22 escaping almost in a similar manner. The sole difference was, that the "Lady Munro" struck after midnight.

Southern Cross Tuesday 12 March 1850 pg2
Lieutenant Liddell was the son of a naval officer well-known in this city for his urbane and amiable manners. He commanded the "Wellington," for many years, in the trade between London and Madras, and never passed the Cape, either outward or homeward bound, without paying his friends here a visit; they all most cordially sympathize with him and his family, under such distressing circumstances.
Letter from a soldier of H.M Royal Sappers and Miners to his father in Scotland...

Southern Cross Tuesday 5 March 1850
The schooner 'Falcon,' Capt. Wenham, was driven ashore in Hawkes' Bay during a heavy north-east gale about a forenight ago.

The New Zealander July 5 1851 Page 2
Wreck of the Joseph Cripps - We regret to have to state that this schooner, 78 tons, Captain Leathart, has been totally lost. The occurrence took place at Long Point, Hawkes Bay on the 11th June. After having encountered rough weather for a week previously, on that day the schooner was caught in a gale, and after and unsuccessful effort to beat her out of the Bay, it was deemed necessary to beach her in order to save the lives of those on board. Happily no life was lost, but the vessel is a total wreck, and her cargo, the principal part of which was about six hundred bushels of wheat, is wholly lost. The vessel however was insured.

From the "Lyttelton Times," October 11, 1851
From an account in the "New Zealander" of the loss of the barque Endora, we gather that she was dragged from her anchorage in Poverty Bay in a gale on the morning of July 28. Every exertion was used to raise the anchor in the hope that the vessel would be able to bet out to sea, but without avail. A second anchor was dropped and cable laid out, but before noon she struck her rudder on the ground. It was now determined to hold on the turn of the tide and then run her ashore. Between 3 and 4 pm the decisive moment arrived. The chains were slipped, the mainmast cut by the board, in its fall taking the mizen mast along with it. Sail was then made on the foremast and the vessel beached. Every precaution was taken to preserve the stores from injury or abstraction until they were disposed of by public auction.

The Evelyn foundered during a storm in the vicinity of Cook Strait on her way from Newcastle, Australia to Lyttelton on or about September 29th 1893. All hands were lost.

Otago Witness June 19 1852 page 2
Loss of the Brig "Sisters." It is with sincere regret we have to record the total loss of the brig: Sisters, Captain Clarke, at Turanganui, in Poverty Bay, on the afternoon of Good Friday. Captain Clarke was about to proceed to Ahuriri, and was on the point of getting under weigh (sic) when he was suddenly caught by a violent south-east gale, and in spite of every exertion he could use to save the vessel, was driven by the gale on the rocks. The long boat was launched, and all, except three hands who remained on board, got to shore. Capt. Clarke then prepared to return; but the long boat was half filled from the se breaking over her, and he was obliged to make a signal to those on board to leave the vessel, which they safely accomplished in the jolly boat. The Sisters shortly afterwards went to pieces, and her cargo on board was entirely lost. We understand the Benlonmomd, a small coasting vessel of 30 tons, was subsequently lost near the same spot. -The New Zealand Spectator.

Otago Witness  September 18 1852
The schooner Rose, G. Thom, master, is supposed to have foundered at sea in the gale in which the Henry was lost, and which was so nearly proving fatal to the Mary.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, 3 December 1853, Page 2
It is with deep regret we have to state that the barque Helena, belonging to Mr. Macnamara, of Sydney, was totally wrecked in Waitakare Bay, between Manukau and Kaipara, on the night of Friday, the 16th instant; on which disastrous occasion her commander, Captain John Brown, � well known to many of our fellow citizens whilst in command of the brig Nina � his chief officer, and five of his ship's company, unfortunately perished. The following particulars have been furnished us by George Gordon, an intelligent young seamen, one of the four survivors : �
The Helena, a fine smart barque of 265 tons, sailed from Melbourne, bound for Hokianga, on the 23rd August, under the command of Captain John Brown, formerly of the brig Nina, of Bristol, which vessel was lost off the island of St. Paul, on her passage from Bristol to Melbourne.
The Helena experienced pleasant weather from the time of leaving Melbourne until the evening before she made the coast of New Zealand, which was on the eighth or ninth day. At that time, the westerly gales which have blown so long and fiercely, set in, and the ship was in consequence hove to under a close-reefed main-topsail and spanker, a heavy sea running, and driving her bodily in shore. Captain Brown, of whom the survivors speak with the utmost affection and respect, took every precaution a skilful mariner could take to reach off shore, profiting by every possible opportunity to make sail and stand out to sea; but the gale continued with unabated fury; and although topgallant masts, mizen top-mast, and all top-hamper had been sent down to stiffen her ; although even her topmast back-stays had started the dead eyes under the pressure of her canvas, yet, being but in ballast trim, and making so much lee-way, it was only by means of the most untiring energy and skill j that the ship was enabled so long to maintain her seaward position. During eleven days of weary anxiety, Captain Brown and his crew were thus occupied, vainly endeavouriug to gain an offing; and tossed about, up and down the West Coast...Whilst the Captain was reading, the mizen mast fell, killing, as is supposed, a boy of fifteen years of age, named Thomas Harrold, a native of Bristol The ship at the same time parted in pieces, and all hands were swept away. The survivors can give no account of the manner in which those who perished met their fate, but as Captain Brown's head was frightfully lacerated, when his body was found, it is supposed he must have been killed by some portion of the wreck. The names and occupations of the others who perished were, Mr. William Farthing, of Bristol, second officer ; John Hutchins, of Torquay, Devon; George Smith, of Tenby, seamen; these last being the two poor fellows who vainly endeavoured to carry a line ashore.
The names of the survivors (who of course have lost their all) are George Gordon, London; John Coleman, Armagh, late of the Nina; Thomas Pettit. Leven ; and Robert Williamson, Sunderland, seamen. These four were washed ashore on a part of the stern frame, which split in two the moment it struck the ground. They were sadly buffetted, being sucked back by the undertow. Gordon was dragged ashore in a state of insensibility by his ship mates, and Williamson had the cap of his knee badly wounded. The survivors were discovered by the natives the next day about 3 o'clock, and we rejoice to state, experienced the utmost kindness and humanity at their hands. Captain Brown's body having been cast ashore, the natives dug a grave and interred it, his late shipmates reading the funeral service over his remains. The seamen were conveyed to the dwellings of the natives, whence, having been hospitably entertained for the next three days, they were conveyed to Mr. Henderson's Mill, at the head of the Waitemata.

The Alma, a small paddle boat, after running a short time, took the ground on the bar on the 6th January, 1856. The attempt to raise her ended in breaking her back, and her bones rest in the quicksand.
Star 15 August 1903, Page 4
At a spot close to the end of the Sumner Jetty, lies deeply embedded in the sand, all that remains of the screw steamer Alma. The day previous to the wreck a party of immigrants, under the direction of myself (I was then acting as emigration' officer), took passage in the Alma from Lyttelton to the steam wharf on the Heathcote river, where they disembarked. On the return voyage, the steamer stood on to take the Sumner bar with the ebb tide, and by some means missed the channel and ran on to the rock on which the beacon is now placed. After she struck she backed astern, and went aground on the sandbank immediately in front of the rock nearest the jetty. There she stuck hard and fast. It was a distinct loss to the settlement, for the Alma was admirably adapted for the requirements of the river trade. She was the first steam vessel to trade between Lyttelton and Heathcote. The Alma was followed by the paddle steamer Planet, purchased in Melbourne by a Canterbury syndicate, called the Canterbury S.S. Company, and the latter vessel was in turn succeeded by the s.s. Mulloch. Major Hornbrook was the first occupant of the Mount Pleasant Run, the summit of which was the only signal station, in use then for announcing the arrival of vessels at the Heads.

Star, 10 May 1897, Page 2 ONLY AN OLD CHAIN.
Attached to the sixth pier of the Sumner Jetty, counting: from shoreward, is the end of a large studded chain, still in a good state of preservation, one end of which is attached to the waling of the pier by a rope lashing. The other end is still fast to the wreck of the s.s. Alma, of about forty tons ; and it is about the same number of years ago since the steamer was laid in her last berth. How the accident occurred was as follows : � The steamer had been up the river, and was on her return trip to Lyttelton with a load of passengers and cargo of wool. Several of the passengers were men who were at the time employed with Mr Lingard, the contractor, making the big cutting at Moa-bone Point. There was a strong ebb-tide running out, which set the Alma against the rocks just inside the beacon. There she remained until the next flood tide, when she was floated off, and beached a little above the present site of the Sumner jetty. The sea made during the night, and the Alma slipped into deep water, where she now lies. On April 15 last Mr J. Day, pilot at Sumner, observed a small scour near the pier before-mentioned, and, on investigating, found one end of the Alma's chain. Mr Smeaton, engineering blacksmith at Lyttelton, made a fruitless attempt to recover this chain shortly after the loss of the vessel.

Daily Southern Cross, 14 September 1855, Page 3
The Alma is spoken of as the boat intended to be procured. She is a screw steamer of 12 horse-power, 45 tons measurement, and draws four and a-half feet of water.

Otago Witness August 28 1858 page 4
Wreck of the "Mary Clarke" a large brig of 170 tons, Wood, master, was on her way from Canterbury to Sydney. Stopped at the roadstead ran on a reef close to Waitara, Taranaki...

Otago Witness June 25 1859  
The following report has been made by Captain Peters, of the "Malay," to W.H. Reynolds, Esq., Lloyd's agent;- "June 5, lat. 38.42 S., long. 153.11 E. (off Cape Howe): Passed the after part of the bottom of a vessel, of from 150 to 200 tons register, with part of sternpost standing, which was coppered, with the lower gudgeon of iron. The bottom appeared to have been iron fastened, and there was a very heavy iron breasthook on the lower stern transome."

Otago Witness July 9 1859 
An accident occurred on June 24th, at the north entrance of Queen Charlotte's Sound, where the brigantine Marchioness, formerly one of the Melbourne and Wellington Mail Packets, was seeking shelter from a heavy south east gale. Captain Kreeft was intending to anchor near the Island of Motu Ara, but stuck on a rock close to it; finding the vessel filling, he ran her on shore of the main-land, where she was when the Boomerang saw her shortly afterwards. The passengers got safely ashore, and had erected a tent. - Wellington Independent.

Otago Witness July 30 1859 page 5
 Accident of the Prince Alfred mail Steamer, French Pass....

The schooner Valentine Helliear, 60 tons, McPherson, master, from Melbourne to Port Cooper, with twenty passengers, four horses, and general cargo, was wrecked on the beach at Otaki, on Sunday morning last, during a thunder-storm and gale of wind. No lives lost. Everything saved and the vessel is high and dry, and apparently sound, with the exception of the foremast, which was cut away after she got into the surf, and carried with it the bowsprit and main-topmast. Great credit is due Mr Edgar and several other Europeans residents who with the zealous co-operation of the Natives, rendered every assistance.

The Times, Monday, Feb 20, 1860
The Joseph Fletcher, Captain Pook, from Auckland to Shanghai, has been wrecked on the Loochoo Islands; all hands saved except five.

Otago Witness Saturday February 25 1860 page 5
The Eagle left Glasgow, and ultimately Greenock, with passengers and 200 sheep, on her passage to Derry, on Monday evening, 28th November, between eight and nine o'clock, and when off Lamlash, about midnight, she came into collision with the Pladda, a ship laden with timber and water logged, which was proceeding up channel in the charge of a tug. The night was, on the whole, clear; but there were occasional gusts of wind and showers of sleet. The tug and ship were seen at some distance from the steamer. The ship swung round and struck the steamer heavily on the port side and she went down in a quarter of an hour. 46 saved from the Eagle, it is feared that not fewer than 30 people perished. Two tugs were close at hand....

Otago Witness Saturday July 28 1860  & The Southern Cross Tuesday 26th June 1860 pg2
We regret having to record the loss of the Melanesian Mission schooner, the Southern Cross, on the 19th June, at Ngunguru, where she got on shore. The crew and passengers, one of whom was the Rev. B.Y. Ashwell, of Taupiri, got into the rigging, where they remained for seven hours. At the expiration of that time, the tide had so far left them that they were enabled to get ashore, where they were hospitably received by Captain Stewart. - Southern Cross

Otago Witness March 17 1860 page 5
The Iris, schooner, which left Newcastle, towed out by the steam-tug, on Wednesday evening last, immediately before the commencement of the gale, with coals for Sydney, was totally wrecked the same night at Hanna Bay, near Port Stephen's Head; The captained wife and child were drowned in the cabin when the vessel broke up. The captain and crew, six in number, jumped overboard and endeavoured to reach the shore. The captain and two of the crew were drowned.

Otago Witness Oct. 24 1862  page 2 
Burning of the Golden Gate. a large steamer in the passenger trade between San Francisco and Panama.198 lost or missing. 140 known to be saved. (242 passengers and 96 crew -in all 330)

The Times, Friday, Nov 07, 1862; pg. 9
The Flying Mist, which left the Clyde on the 5th of June last, for Otago, New Zealand, was lost at Bluff Bay, within a short distance of her destination. The ill-fated vessel was chartered by Messrs Cree, Skinner and Co., to carry out a flock of Leicester sheep, together with a general cargo, and when she left the Clyde she had on board 1,700 sheep, besides 18 passengers, principally shepherds. It appears that the crew and passengers, with 800 sheep, were saved from the wreck. The Flying Mist, a vessel of 1,184 tons, was built in 1856 at Milford, and belonging to Messrs G.B., Chase and Co., of bost, United States.

The Times, Monday, Jan 19, 1863; pg. 11
Lyttelton, NZ. Jan. 16
Last week a portion of a wreck, consisting of a keel and a mast, was discovered in Squally Bay, and it is probable that it may belong to the Pole Star, from Auckland for Dunedin, which has been missing for a long time.

May 2 1863 page 8
On Sunday afternoon at Riverton, the cutter Fly, Captain Zall, was totally lost, and four men drowned. The Fly with a cargo of timber for Stewart's Island, manned by three men, stood in for Riverton on Saturday afternoon, with the signal for a pilot flying. On Sunday afternoon Captain Aldred, pilot master, manned the pilot boat and putting off, succeeded in boarding the cutter, but the sea was then so rough that he could not take her over the bar, an accordingly stood out to sea. The storm continued for several hours and the vessel became quite unmanageable, so all hands eight in number, were compelled to take to the pilot boat. About three quarters of an hour after the cutter was abandoned, a heavy sea struck the boat, and turning it completely over, appreciated the whole party into the water. Captain Zall and Captain Aldred, with two of the pilot crew, managed to cling for about five minutes to the boat, when they were washed off. Captain Zall, with three of the pilot crew, (two Maoris) then endeavoured to reach the shore, distant about two hundred yards. In this they succeeded but we regret to state that the other four, viz., Captain Aldred, with three of the crew of the cutter were lost. The cutter was totally lost, and the pilot boat, being driven on to the beach, was taken charge by the police. Captain Aldred had just brought his wife to town.

The Daily Southern Cross Tuesday 30 June 1863.
Portland, 8th June. Wreck of the brig Jane. The Jane, laden with flour, from Adelaide to New Zealand, was wrecked off Cape Brightwater on Sunday evening. Great excitement prevailed in the township, and the lifeboat was despatched to the wreck, but the crew was saved by a raft before its arrival. The commander is still on board. The sea is terrific. Mr Hedditch (farmer's son), was drowned whist grasping a line attached to a life bouy from the brig.

The Daily Southern Cross  2 July 1863 pg2
Heavy Gale - Loss of the ship 'Royal Bride,' at Hawkes' Bay
The 'Royal Bride' Captain Laker, arrived in the Bay on the 8th instant, from London via Auckland, with part of her original cargo onboard. She struck between Petane and Napier, about two miles from the entrance to the harbour.

The Daily Southern Cross 1 July 1863 pg2
Total loss of the Danish barque Jurgen Lorentzen, 380 tons, only eighteen months old, was chartered by Messrs George A. Lloyd and Co. to proceed to San Francisco and return with a cargo of grain to Sydney. She left Sydney on the 18th October, and reached San Francisco on the 22nd December, where she took on grain and left on her return voyage on January 6th. On January 25th at 1 am, she unfortunately ran ashore on Christmas Island, and became a total wreck. Capt. Reimer, her commander, had gone below, leaving instructions with the chief officer to call him at midnight when the watch was changed; he then told the chief officer to order the second officer to keep a good look out. Captain Reimer with his wife and child (both of whom left in there night dresses), together with Captain Limmex and crew left her. They reached Navigators' isle in twenty-one days. They were extremely exhausted. Captain Limmex, late commander of the Hirondelle, was a passenger from San Francisco, returned to Sydney by the Native Lass. Captain Reimer with his wife and child intend to go to Hamburg in the Caesar Goddefroy. The crew are being employed about the islands.

The Daily Southern Cross  August 3rd 1863
Heavy easterly gales along the southern coast of Victoria caused the General Jessop, barque, to part her cable while riding out the gale in West Cove, Kent's Group, on the 6th instant, and went ashore, where she became a total wreck, fortunately all hands were saved. The barque has latterly been employed in the cattle trade, and was bound from Hobart Town to Port Albert when overtaken by the gale. She is partially insured in the Pacific Assurance Office for �600. Owners Broomfield and Whittaker, Warrnambool.

The Daily Southern Cross 3rd August 1863
Loss of the "Acacia" on Sunday afternoon, July 25th on the south head of Hokianga harbour while endeavouring to cross the bar as the wind failed. The pilot was onboard and all the crew saved.

Wellington Independent Thursday Sept. 10 & 12 1863
The p.s. Prince Alfred, Captain Roberson, was wrecked on the Wanganui bar, on the 20 ult, she having grounded there on the passage outwards. The vessel ultimately to be abandoned, as the heavy sea washed her still further ashore and rendered any attempt to get her off hopeless. The crew got off easily, and a number of the cattle, with which she was loaded were also landed. The wreck of this vessel, with her sails, anchors, cables, &c., was afterwards sold by Messrs Gudgeon & Co. and realised �585. She had only lately been purchased at Adelaide by Messrs A.L. Thomson and Co. and fitted expressly for the conveyance of cattle. In this trade she had only made two trips. She was fully insured.

Otago Witness September 18 1863 page 2
Wreck of the Highland Lassie, 160 tons, in the New River, Invercargill.  She was bound for Port Chalmers... The iron lighthouse intended for Dog Island, has arrived at Port Chalmers.

Otago Witness October 16 1863 Friday page 2 
Loss of the schooner Creole.

The Southern Cross 11 December 1863
Wreck of the Jennie Deans, schooner, Bruce, master, property of Mr Underwood, Aniteum, in Torres Strait.

Daily Southern Cross, 21 December 1863, Page 2
Sydney Empire, December 9. The Bonite has been twelve days on the passage from Now Caledonia. She brings Captain King and crew of the Emma Colvin, wrecked at New Caledonia. The Coetlogou, Carl Frederick, and Gazelle were in port. � Ibid.
    Wreck of the Emma Colvin.� The ship Emma Colvin, of London, under the command of Captain G. Kring, has become a total wreck, on a detached reef situated about 50 miles south-east of Port de France. Fortunately no lives have been loat. The ship sailed from Sydney on the 30th October, with the following passengers on board : � Miss Albert, Miss M'Evey, Messrs. Kearney, Williams, Peasdell, Joubert, and two in the steerage. Her cargo consisted of 62 tons of coal and 202 head of cattle, shipped by Mr. Joubert, all of which, we believe, are insured. The vessel had almost arrived at her destination, when the weather became very thick and rainy. On the 13th November, at 4.30 a.m., it being the mate's watch, the vessel shuck, and remained hard and fast. She is supposed to have been carried on to the reef by the strong current setting in that direction. At daylight the boats were launched, and a few articles, such as wearing apparel and provisions, were hastily thrown in. All landed in safety on an uninhabited island. Captain King, Mr. Joubert, and the female passengers immediately started in the ship's longboat, and reached Port de France in safety. The French steamer Coetlogou, on receiving information of the disaster, cot up steam, proceeded to the island, rescued the crew, and conveyed them to New Caledonia ; and from thence they were conveyed to Sydney by the French transport Bonite, which arrived yesterday evening. The wreck was last seen on the 14th ultimo, at daylight, and was completely broken up, and all the live stock drowned � Ibid.

Otago Witness, 9 January 1864, Page 5
The three -masted English vessel Emma Colvin, of 550 tons burthen, George King, master, quitted Sydney on the 31st of October last, with 62 tons of coal and 202 head of cattle, for New Caledonia. She was to have left the Port of France for Peru, and was to fetch thence a cargo of guano. Unhappily she was wrecked on the Barrier Reef of New Caledonia at Umbei, on the 12th of November, at about half past four a.m. The crew were obliged to abandon her in haste, and betake themselves to the boats. The captain and some of the passengers and crew reached the Isle Ouen on the same day, and proceeded thence on the 13th to the port of France, which they reached by rounding the Ou_reef on the same day. The Coetlogon was immediately despatched by the Government to the neighbourhood of the wreck. She brought off the remainder of the crew, but found that the Emma Colvin had become a complete wreck. As usual, the colonial authorities appear to have acted with their usual humanity and promptitude.

The Southern Cross, 20 January 1864
Wreck of the barque Amazon near Cape Paterson on the 15th. Capt. Ogier. She was bound for Mauritius from Hobson's Bay. Gale. The Amazon lies onshore, broadside on the beach, with the mizenmast and bowsprit standing but is imbedded in the sand nine feet. At low water she is nearly dry outside. about a mile S.W. of Anderson's inlet and about 8 miles to the eastward of Cape Paterson.

Otago Witness Saturday 16th April 1864 page 2
Dreadful Casualty to the schooner Rapid
The cutter Swallow arrived in Auckland yesterday from the Great Barrier Island, and brought William Page, one of the survivors from the Rapid, a new boat of about 30 tons. He says:- We left Mercury Bay in the Rapid on the evening of the 19th inst. (Saturday) for Auckland. About nine or ten o'clock they shortened sail [two reefs were taken in in the mainsail. While below I felt the vessel plunging into the sea heavily. I went on deck and saw one passenger hanging on to the fore rigging. He was a passenger and he cried out to me, "We are gone, Bill." All sail was then down, the foresail and main sail hanging down over the lee side in the water. The vessel was then going well free from the wind. I have been a sailor, and I said to the captain that he had better hoist the peak up and try the vessel up to the wind. At this time one of the seaman went to the forecastle, looked down, and sang out that the vessel was filling with water. This was caused by her plunging into the sea so heavily. Directly she fell over on her beam ends and filled. Paget, a passenger, was below in the cabin, and was drowned by the vessel filling with water. This all occurred between the Little Barrier Island and Tiri Tiri. As the vessel was filled with timber she was of course waterlogged. We were not far from shore, the vessel having drifted in close to the rocks. As soon as the three of us survivors got ashore, we lay down and had a sleep until daylight. The captain walked to Mr Harding's house and sent a vessel for us. The following are the names of the unfortunate men who drowned:-
Mr Neil McFadgon, a shareholder on the Mercury Bay Saw Mill Company
Mr Paget, a passenger, and settler from Mercury Bay.
Joe, a Portuguese, a passenger.
Mr Burns, a passenger, and a working man, from Mercury Bay.
Mr Robert Clarke, a farmer, and a passenger, who drowned just as we reached the Little Barrier
Mr L. Micklejohn, son of the captain, and one of the crew; aged 17 0r 18 years.
The following are the names of those who survived the disaster:-
Myself (William Page), a settler in Mercury Bay.
Captain Micklejohn, captain of the Swallow, 
and Frank, a Frenchman, and one of the crew. Each of the survivors were floating about three days on the wreck, under a burning sun, and with sea washing over them, so that it can be well supposed that they were thoroughly prostrated when, through Providence, they were enabled to reach land.

 The Southern Cross, 10 December 1863
The Ocean Mail, a fourteen years classed ship at Lloyd's 8-- tons register, commanded by Captain Linklater, has been lost in the China seas. She was bound for England from Shanghai with a valuable cargo of teas and silk, roughly valued at 100,000 and appears to have foundered six miles off the entrance of the river Woosung.

The Southern Cross Wednesday Dec. 17 1863
Wreck of the schooner High Roberts, Captain R. Arnold, near Gabo Island on the 19th Oct. The mate ran aft and said "Jump up, the ship is dead ashore." The captain and another man were washed ashore. We were travelling eleven days on that iron bound shore, with nothing but shell fish we picked up off the rocks. Twice nearly drowned in crossing the Winghain River, nothing on but my shirt and drawers till we got to the Malacoota Station, where we were taken every care of by Mr Develing and Mr Allen and his brother. The mate got washed off the rock first. Joseph Knight was on the rock.

Southern Cross Dec. 21 1863 pg2
Wreck of the Emma Colvin, ship, of London, Captain G. Kring, became a total wreck, on a detached reef situated about 50 miles SE of Port de France. No lives lost. The ship sailed from Sydney on the 30th Oct. The following passengers were on board: Miss Albert, Miss McEvey, Messrs Kearney, Williams, Peasdell, Joubert and two in the steerage. They were conveyed to Sydney by the French transport Bonite. Her cargo consisted of 62 tons of coal and 202 head of cattle shipped by Mr Joubert, all insured. All livestock drowned.

The Southern Cross 15th Friday January 1864
Wreck of the schooner Success. She sailed from the River Heathcote on Sunday, the 27th, bound for Wellington, in command of Captain Brownhill, with a crew of four hands. On arriving in the Straits on 30th she got caught in a S.W. gale. The weather was thick. She struck the shore in Palliser Bay. The mate (Mr Burgess), and a boy Morris, found a watery grave. The mate was well known and respected in Pott, he has till recently a resident in Dampier Bay, Lyttelton; he leaves a widow and several children, now residing in the Heathcote Valley, to lament his loss. The boy, Morris, it appears only shipped in the schooner a few days before she left the Heathcote. The vessel was in ballast and owned by Messrs Brownhill and Co., Christchurch.

Otago Witness May 21 1864 page 7
Wreck of the Grecian, of Hobart Town on Nine Mile Beach, which lies between Red Head and Lake Macquarie.
Foundering of the barque Prince Arthur.

Otago Witness Saturday 18 March 1865 pg10
The barque Gazehound ashore at Oamaru. She parted her moorings and had gone ashore opposite the township. The Gazehound is a fine clipper barque of 380 tons, and at the time of the disaster, was loading wool for London. She is the third vessel to have received wool at Oamaru this season. Capt.. Sewell, Beach Master. She had 638 bales of wool on board. Both the ship and cargo are insured. Last evening the vessel had rolled out her masts. A considerable quantity of wool was washed out to sea. The owners are Messrs Redfern, Alexander and Co., London; and she was chartered b to load on account of Messrs Traill, Roxburgh and Co.   Pye

Southern Cross Thursday 15 June 1865 pg4
Wreck of the fine clipper schooner Eclipse, Captain Hunter, from Dunedin at Taranaki in a gale. Immediately put out a boat and sent in her in charge of the chief officer and two crew, with two passengers I had on board for Sydney (as well as Master Willie McDonald, so of Mr McDonald, of Dunedin, placed under my charge on a visit to the city to endeavour to land. They succeeded in getting hold of the surf-line, and held on until one of the shore boats came to assistance. At 5 a.m. showed four blue lights, but received no answer. At 7 a.m. one surf boat came along side. They came to rescue lives not cargo. The Eclipse was owned by Captain Robert Kelly, of Sydney.

Otago Witness 8 July 1865
Wreck of the collier schooner Brisk, Captain Taylor of North Head, bound for Newcastle. The crew reached Watson's Bay in safety. The Brisk was owned by Mr W. Williams, secretary of the C. and R.S.N. Co. She was insured in the Pacific Company's Office for L1000.....

Otago Witness 15 July 1865, page 18. Wrecks 

 

Otago Witness 2 Sept. 1865 pg
Wreck of the S.S. Alexandra off White Cliffs. Pilot from New Plymouth onboard unfit.

Wellington Independent Sept. 7, 1865 page 4 column d
Lifeboat rescue - Bude Haven lifeboat saved the crew of the Spanish brig Juanito off Bude Haven in January last.

Wellington Independent Sept. 12 1865 page 4 column d
Loss of the barque Fleetwood wrecked near Ganzekraal (Dassen Is.) She was built in 1839. Port Elizabeth Telegraph. June 30.
Wreck of the mail steamer Eastern Province three miles to the west of Ratel River. Cape Town.
Total wreck of the Gem, Captain Webster at Poverty Bay.
The schooner Fancy reports finding a name board and hatch of the schooner Hira, Captain Campbell, at great Barrier Island. The Hira was a regular trader schooner between Tauranga and Whangamata and was owned by Mr Foley of the former place. She had left Tauranga for the latter place more than a fortnight ago, and had not been heard of since.

Wellington Independent Sept. 16 1865 page 4 
The schooner Augusta was wrecked off Port Gore due to a gale on the 16th inst.

Wellington Independent Sept. 26, 1865 page 4 
The Emerald Isle, schooner, commanded by Captain Bowden, was wrecked on Saturday last in Ocean Bay, Port Underwood. Captain Bowden, formerly been Captain of the Lady of the Lake. She lies stranded on Ocean Bay. James Riley was the late mate of the Emerald Isle while bringing the vessels boat round to Picton on the 19th inst., saw a vessel, apparently a barque, resembling the Ragoon under jury mast.

Another Wreck. On Thursday last one of the Keenan's engaged on the whaling station down the Sound, while out in his boat discovered the mainmast of a vessel with mainsail and main boom attached. There was a portion of the main shrouds and chain plate hanging to the mast. The portions of the wreck appear to have belonged to a ketch newly built.

Southern Cross Saturday 7th Oct. 1865 pg4
Wreck of the cutter Moa of 14 tons, off Waiheki Passage. Owned by Messrs R. Church and H. Simpson.

Otago Witness 11 November 1865 pg15
Total loss of the brig Adieu, Captain Anderson,  at Valparaiso on 11th August. Captain Anderson, formerly of the brig Susan, and Mrs Anderson took passages in the Trieste, and arrived in Auckland yesterday.  From the "Southern Cross"...

The Southern Cross Monday January 22 1866 pg4
The Stag, from Batavia, has brought to Sydney, Captain Meredith, the first mate , and one of the crew of the wrecked barque Mary Nicholson, which vessel loaded in Lombock, with a cargo of rice, for Sydney, and just after leaving, she sprang a leak, and was abandoned at sea. The crew reached Probolinga in the boats; and thence proceeded to Batavia; the captain, mate, and four of the crew left in the Stag; the following died during the voyage from dysentery, viz:- James Boyd, Peter Nelson, Francis John Bury, Francis Barry.

The Southern Cross Thursday January 25 1866 pg4
The wreck of the fine mission brig John Wesley. The Rotumah arrived at Sydney on Saturday last, brings as passengers Mr Maucel, late chief officer, and four of the wrecked seaman from the John Wesley. On the 18th the brig was hove to, awaiting for daylight to enter Tongataboo and drifted on shore on a place called Foul Island. She bilged. No lives lost.

The Southern Cross Thursday January 25 1866 pg4
The Loss of the barque Sabrina at no on 26th September whilst lying in Manila Bay. A typhoon - the barometer having fallen rapidly from 30.20 to 29.15, the weather was most part sultry and the sky wild and lurid appearance. The Tigris, of Liverpool, also drove ashore and became a total wreck. By noon seventeen vessels were driven ashore including the Dutch ship the Connessares des Konings von der Hein, coal loaded from Cardiff.

The Southern Cross Friday January 26 1866 pg4
The wreck of the schooner William and Mary, James Nolan, master, which went ashore on Monday afternoon on the North Beach. The vessel was in tow of the Lioness, and attempting the bar about an hour after ebb, and the bar was not fit to take. Owning to some mistake the Lioness, G.R. Whitford, master, James Stalker, signalmaster, took the ground, and to save herself the tow-line was cut adrift; and the steamer had to work hard to get back out through the breakers. Grey River Argus, January 10th.

Otago Witness Feb. 24 1866
The Pryde, of Hobart Town, from Newcastle to Melbourne, with a cargo of coal, has totally wrecked at Point Nepean.

Otago Witness Saturday 24 Feb. 1866 pg 17
Wreck and Loss of Life (4)
On Monday, 12th inst., the wreck of a small schooner was discovered on the sea beach, about three miles to the south-ward of the Manawatu River. She was the Esther, of Nelson. In her was the body of James Cromarty, formerly of the Defence Force at Rangitikei, and lately commanding a small craft trading between Wanganui and Patea. Found was a box bearing the name Sergeant Littlewood, W.C.D.F., and had since been sworn to as his property. A mile below the wreck was found another body, a man about fifty years, James Roberts, identified by James George McDonald, formerly a stock driver with him in the Wairarapa, a tattooed mark of hull of boat on left forearm. Papers found on him were an agreement for driving sheep for James R. Carpenter, in Canterbury. in 1865. The next day another body found about a mile northward of the wreck. Afterwards a body was found between the wreck and the river, a man dressed as a sailor aged about 35, brown hair, tattooed as follows: On right arm, eagle and union jack; on left arm, a figure of Britannia; on breast, a brig; on leg, below knee, a group of two figures, one kneeling to the other and a lamb or a dog at their feet.

Otago Witness 17 March 1866 pg 14
Burning of the Ship Maranoa, Captain Birch, left Bombay on 6 Nov. with a cargo of coal for Aden.

Otago Witness March 24 1866
Wreck of the London and loss of 220 lives. An Australian packet ship foundered in the Bay of Biscay. The London, launched from the Blackwall yard in 1864, commanded by Captain Martin, left the East India Docks on 28th Dec. On the 8th Jan. the wind increased... Passenger list page 14.  Gustavus V. Brooke and his sister entered as Mr and Miss Vaughan.

The Southern Cross Tuesday 1st May 1866
Total wreck of the schooner Morning Star, on her way from Wangaroa to Auckland, the the 17th ultimo. Two of the crew of the schooner arrived in Auckland in the Hira. The vessel was laden with kauri gum, shingles &c. She left Wangaroa on the 17th. When off Stevenson's Island the vessel missed stays twice. She struck rocks heavily, and in a very short time parted her kelson. One of the anchors was saved. The Hira picked up the cargo which was landed on the island. The vessel was uninsured and the proper of some natives at Wangaroa, and worked by Captain Hayes.

The Southern Cross May 7 1866
The schooner Flying Cloud, Captain Anderson, arrived from the Chathams, nine days, with a cargo of potatoes and wool and seven passengers; four are part of the crew of the barque Catherine wrecked at Waitangi, en route for Hobart Town. Lyttelton Times, April 27.

The Southern Cross Friday 8 May 1866
Supposed Loss of the Quickstep. One month over due out of Manukau, bound for the Grey River. Wreckage washed ashore at the Pollock Settlement, near Waiuku. Left on the 25th March with 18 tons of potatoes, on account of Mr Souter.  She was in charge of Captain Fisher - part owner of the vessel and two seamen. The Quickstep was launched from Mr Stone's yard, Mechanics Bay, in June last, 39 feet length of keel, and 13 feet breadth of beam. She was a sister vessel to the cutter Rapid, now trading to the Wairoa from this harbour. A bag containing clothing, a gun and pistol and also a towel marked "T.M. Cuthbert" was found in the boat. The vessel was owned by the captain and the builders and only insured for 50.

Timaru Herald May 4 1866 page 2
The Sir George Grey, barque, has been lost on her passage to Auckland, with a cargo of flour.

Timaru Herald Friday 11 May 1866
The Auckland New Zealand Herald gives a lengthy account of the total wreck of the Sir George Grey, barque, owned by Messrs Henderson, and Macfarlane, on a reef some miles distant from Cockburn Island, not marked down on the Admiralty charts. The weather was fine at the time, wind easterly with a heavy swell, and the ship going about two knots when she struck, but so forcibly did she so, that at the second bump the foremast went clean through the vessel. The George Grey was only 29 days out from Chili when the accident happened.

The Southern Cross 29 June 1866. Monthly Summary of Shipping pg6
We regret to report the loss of the fine cutter America, 40 tons, built and owned at this port, on a sand island, near New Caledonia, on 8th April. The America was on her way to Port de France from Norfolk Island and Auckland, with cattle and produce and five passengers, when she struck on the reef during a strong gale from the southward. The men left the vessel in a small dingy for an island six miles off, and were subsequently picked up by a pilot boat from New Caledonia, after remaining six days on the island. She was owned by Captain McLiver, of this town, and insured for 800.
Loss of the barque Ellen Simpson, Captain John Poole, and all hands except the chief and second officer. Captain Poole was well known and highly respected at this port., where he has made frequent visits.

Timaru Herald Saturday 30 June 1866
The Wild Wave, schooner, of Lyttelton, was totally lost at the entrance of Pelorous Sound, on Thursday night, during the late heavy gales from S.W. Capt. Ifwerson and one seaman were saved; five others drowned.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times. Monday 15 April 1867 page 3
Total wreck of the NZSC.'s S.S. Queen in Cook's Strait. All hands saved. Captain Kreeft.
Wreck of the s.s. South Australian on her passage from Dunedin to Melbourne. Captain John Mackie. Wrecked on a reef four miles north of Coal Point, and nearly twenty miles north of the Nuggets. All saved.
Wreck of the schooner Albion of Sydney. Loss of six lives. Property of Mr J. Shoobert of Balmain. Samuel Waters one of the two survivors.
Thomas Williams (saved).
William Watkins master, drowned
Christopher_____, a Swede, drowned
John _________, drowned
Charles Morgan, drowned
Charles Nelson, drowned
Jack ________, died from exhaustion
All the crew were single men except the captain, whose wife and family reside at Miller's Point. 

Timaru Herald March 9 1867 page 2
Wreck of the Star of the Evening
The s.s. Star of the Evening, Captain Turner, left Napier at 1 p.m. on the 12th instant, for Auckland, with a cargo of 1300 sheep and three passengers - Mr Smith, a stock dealer of Auckland; Mr Warrell, commercial traveller for the firm of A. Clarke and Co., of Auckland; and Mr Schleifstein of Wellington. She arrived off Portland Island at 8 p.m.; weather thick and wind S.E.; at 2.15 a.m. on the 13th, those on board felt the vessel strike heavily on the port bilge and found she had lost her steerage way. The wind and sea were then increasing; drove her on to a reef off Pauwawa Bay, about 12 miles north of Tanranganui. Within a quarter of an hour after striking, the ship parted in two before the engine room, and went down head foremost in about 14 feet of water. The crew and passengers betook themselves to the rigging, stays, &c. At daylight, it being low water one of the crew (Hammond), assisted by Weaver, volunteered to take a line ashore but the current and back draught were too much for Hammond. All that cold swim struck out for the reef. Walter Hooper, A.B., went down a few yards off the reef. The chief officer (Mr Leighton) made made attempts to reach the shore but failed. The steward and cook jumped overboard but immediately sank. Mr Warrell and Mr Schleifstein were both washed away from the wreck at this time. The second engineer came ashore on part of the deck-house. Mr Smith was then washed away. The chief engineer, Mr Robinson, the carpenter, one fireman, and two sailors got on the foreyard. Captain Turner struck out for shore. Those who got ashore were all in a state of nudity. A native volunteered to swim with a line but it got foul of the rocks. Hammond and Weaver swam off with a life bouy made fast to the middle of a line, hauled it to the wreck, and five survivors were hauled ashore, after having been fifty-two hours exposed to the severity of the S.W. gale.

Otago Daily Times 8 March 1867, Page 4
List of the survivors from Star of the Evening.
A. C. Turner, master
Deighton, mate
J. Suttee, second mate
D. Robinson and D. Barker, engineers
A. Johnston, carpenter
D. Woods, N. Morgan, W. Weaver and W. Hammond, able seaman
J. Williams, second class seaman
C. Philpott, cabin boy
J. Hunt, _ M'Dermott and _ Dawson, firemen

List of those who drowned
Mr Smith, Mr Sleifstein, Mr Warrell, passengers
J. Eltham, steward
J. Wedgewood; Walter Hooper, A.B.

Otago Witness Saturday 16 March 1867
(From the Hawkes' Bay Times, 27th Feb.)
Wreck of the Screw Steamer Star of the Evening, Captain A.G.. Turner.
The favorite schooner, Donald McLean, Captain Baker, arrived port on Saturday morning, last, from Poverty Bay, which she left on Thursday. She brings to Napier the captain, mate, and six crew of the steamer Star of the Evening, which was totally wrecked on the east Coast on the morning of Wednesday 13th February, on her voyage from Napier to Auckland with a cargo of 1300 sheep and three passengers - Messrs Smith, Sleifstein, and Warrell. Loss of six human lives. After the southern extremity of the Mahia Peninsula bore W. by S. � S., then leapt the vessel away N., which course would take the vessel mid-channel between Ariel Rocks and Gable End foreland. About midnight struck a rock on the port bilge. About half an hour after striking she broke in two just before the engine room. Hammond undertook to reach shore with the life line bouy and line attached. He succeeded but the line parted. Orders were given to jump overboard and lay hold of the hatches and other wreckage. Walter Hooper, a seaman drowned when he was nearly ashore. The cook and steward jumped overboard, but soon met a watery grave. The captain and three others jumped and swam ashore. Messrs Warrell and Sleifstein were the next to attempt the dangerous passage but neither reached the shore alive. Mr Smith was hanging on to the forestay until exhausted dropped into the water and drowned. The tide turned and had ridden over the reef. The survivors on board were then as follows
D. Robinson, engineer
A. Johnson, carpenter
McDermott, fireman
Morgan and woods, seaman
On Wednesday morning a message was despatched to Turanganui for assistance. Mr Gilmour arrived about four o'clock that afternoon with line and two natives. and afterwards Mr Campbell, R.M., Dr. Brown and several other Turanganui gentleman came to render assistance might be in their power. The tide had fallen, all proceeded to the outer reef, from which a native swam to the wreck with the line. The line caught on the reef and was useless. Next morning Thursday the sea was very high. Next day gained the outer reef with life bouys and lines. W. Hammond and Weaver volunteered to swim to the wreck. Reached the wreck. The party bent on to the middle of the line one of the boats life bouys, so that it could be drawn to and fro between the wreck and the reef. By this arrangement five persons on board were safely landed but in greatly exhausted condition and having their limbs much swollen through exposure on the wreck for 53 hours to a heavy S.E. gale and rain. A meeting of the inhabitants of Turanganui was held at Captain Reid's store, on 21st Feb. was held Captain Turner, on behalf of himself, officers and crew begs to return thanks to those persons who have acted so kindly to them during their adversity especially to Mr Gilmour, who remained with them the whole time at the wreck, and acted as interpreter; also to Captain Reid for his kindness in placing his two vessels (Tawera and Donald McLean) at the disposal of the shipwrecked persons to take the party to Napier and Auckland as well as the food and clothing supplied.

List of Survivors
A.C. Turner 			master
Deighton 			mate
J. Sutton 			second mate
D? Robinson and D. Baker	engineers
A. Johnston			carpenter
D. Woods, N. Morgan, W. Weaver and W. Hammond, able seaman
J. Williams			second class seaman
C. Philpott			cabin boy
J. Hunt, McDermott and Dawson 	fireman

List of those Drowned
Mr Smith, Mr Sleifstein and Mr Warrell, passengers
J. Eltham 			steward
J. Wedgewood
Walter Hooper			A.B.

Otago Witness Saturday 23 March 1867 pg10
Wreck of the Vixen and the Stately at Oamaru.
On Thursday morning, Capt. Sewell, the Harbor Master, hoisted the flag to "Stand to sea." This was obeyed by the schooner Dunedin, the Anne, and the ketch Midlothian; but the Stately, which was at the Government inner moorings and the Vixen, which lay to her own anchor, were not moved. During the afternoon the Vixen was seen dragging. The Vixen speedily came ashore, broadside on, a little northward of the landing place. There is every probability that she would again be got afloat.
    The Stately was more unfortunate. About five o'clock on Thursday afternoon she hoisted a flag of distress, for she was drifting. At eleven, p.m. a light breeze sprang off the land up, and all sail was hoisted, with a view of getting the schooner to sea; but the breeze proved to be not strong enough to take her through the broken water, and she came ashore on the rocks to the south of the landing place. The master and crew landed safely. On Friday afternoon, a survey was held by Capt. Sewell and Capt. Brown (of the A.W. Stevens) and she was condemned. At sale by auction, the hull and standing rigging were sold for L200, and the cargo (33,00ft of timber and eleven bales of corn sacks) fetched L202 10s. The Vixen is a schooner of about 20 tons and partly owned by her master, Mr J. Moodie. The Stately is a schooner of about 80 tons, she was not more than three months old; and was the property of the master, and it was insured for L800.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times. April 22 1867 page 2
Lost of the cutter Sir Duncan Cameron, Peter Coxhead master, Alfred Cavil and James Dixon. Foundered at Napier on her way to Canterbury. 
Stranding of the American Schooner, General Sherman, on the coast of Corea. Brutal murder of the whole crew. Left Tochufu on the 9th August. 

Timaru Herald 7 August 1867 page 2
The Edward and Christopher, Mary Ann Christina, and Vixen, which put to sea from the Oamaru roadstead just previous to the late bad weather setting in, have been wrecked on the coast between Timaru and Banks' Peninsula. The Vixen lost her Captain and mate, who were drowned, Moodie and Bristow. A third man was on board, but it is supposed he must have escaped. The Edward and Christopher was driven ashore about six miles north of Akaroa heads, at a place known as Pompey's Pillar. The Mary Ann Christina, and Vixen are wrecked somewhere deep in the bright of the coast on the ninety-mile beach. The Vixen had little on board. The schooners Annie and Christopher are missing from Oamaru.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, 19 March 1868, Page 2
Arrived 18 March, barque Helen S. Page, 217, Evans, for Newcastle

Daily Southern Cross, 19 April 1867, Page 3
The barque Helen S. Page was taken on the hard. in Mechanics' Bay yesterday for an overhaul.

North Otago Times, 14 June 1867, Page 2
The "Weekly Empire," of 17th instant, says :�" The picking up of some portions of the wreck at Port Macquarie, with a part of the name of the above-named vessel on them, proves beyond a doubt that the cattle ship Lombard, from Gladstone, to Dunedin, had been wrecked, and we regret to say there are grounds for believing that all the crew have perished. It will be remembered that when the steamer Boomerang last arrived here she reported having passed, off Indian Head, some wrecks, also two dead bullocks with halters on. It was evident that one of three cattle ships (Lombard, Island City, or Eucalyptus), which left Gladstone on April 6th or 7th, had been lost. The Eucalyptus arrived safely at New Zealand on the 25th April ; the Island City was destined to Auckland, but had yet arrived up to the 2nd inst., she being then twenty-five days out ; and it is evident that the Lombard must have been lost somewhere about Break-sea Spit or the northern part of leaser's Island, and the strong south-east current that was running on the coast about that time has drifted the portion of wreck to where it was found on the coast. The Lombard was a vessel of 208 tons, Captain Paterson ; her hull was insured in the New South Wales Insurance Office for L3000, of which amount L1500 was insured with the Sydney Marine Assurance Company ; the cargo was also insured.

Daily Southern Cross, 17 April 1868, Page 2
The wreck of the barque Helen P. Page was sold on Wednesday, by Mr. Lockhead, at Newcastle, for the sum of �50. Mr. Adams was the purchaser.� S. M. Herald. April 3.

Taranaki Herald, 16 May 1868, Page 2
Wreck of the Barque Helen S. Page - This barque, which has for some time been engaged in the cattle trade between this port and New Zealand, became a wreck yesterday morning, on the North Shore beach, about eight miles from Stockton. She was first seed by Mr. Hannell, at Nobby's, and by the look-out man on the old Flagstaff Hill, just at daybreak, and information was at once given to the Harbor Master, Captain Allen, who got a boat's crew, and, with the assistance of the Government steamer Dooribang, proceeded to the scene of the wreck. When about half way, Captain Allen met the steam-tug Rapid returning from the wreck, the master of which said the captain of the Helen S. Page wished him to communicate with the agent, and ask them to send him assistance to clear the wreck. He also informed Captain Allan that the crew had all landed in safety. The cause of the Helen S. Page going on shore is at present a mere matter of conjecture, as neither the captain nor any of the crew have as yet come up to Newcastle. The wind at the time of the accident was blowing off the shore. It is supposed that the vessel was too close to the land, and that owing to the current being stronger than the wind she drifted ashore. The Helen S. Page is insured in the Australasian office for �800. � Newcastle Chronicle.

Timaru Herald 20 February 1869 page 3
Wellington, Thursday, Feb. 18
The ship St. Vincent, Captain Barron, recently arrived at Wellington from Cardiff. Left Wellington for Lyttelton in ballast on Saturday last at 3 p.m.. On Sunday, at 10 p.m. the vessel went on shore through stress of weather at Palliser Bay, and became a total wreck. The Captain, a passenger named McKay, and the crew of 20 men in all, were lost. The mate and sailmaker got ashore. Mr E. Pearce is the agent for the ship. The following are the names of those known to be on board.

Barron 		James 	M.	captain (from Tayport) age 41
Griffiths 	Richard
Harrison 	George
Kanaski 	William 	sailmaker (saved)
Kennedy 	Alfred
Kirkpatrick 	John
McKay 		E passenger
McKee 		Alex.
Mitchell 	Robert 		carpenter
Patterson 	William
Richards 	Charles
Shirling 	John
Smart 		William
Smith 		Charles
Smith 		William
Stringer 	John 		chief officer (saved)
Names of remainder not known.

Stringer, after being on the wreck for four hours, was washed ashore while insensible. He wore a life-belt. McKay was clerk in some Insurance office on a year's absence, and was visiting the colony for the benefit of his health. He has a wife and three children in England.

Daily Southern Cross 10 March 1869 pg3
The "Little Fred" was on shore about ten miles south of Kaipoara. The crew are all safe.

The Southland Times 21 Jan. 1870 pg 2
Loss of the Newcastle Brig Laughing Waters, 411 tons, in Foveaux Straits. Captain Gibson. Owner Mr Charles Hannell, of Newcastle, NSW, bound for Otago with a cargo of 620 tons of coal. Last of six trips which the vessel had been chartered. Mr W.C. Moore, chief mate. Mrs Gibson and child onboard.

The Times, Tuesday, Mar 01, 1870; pg. 10
Auckland, NZ, Dec. 16 1870 - The Marie Gabrielle, from Foo-chow-foo for Melbourne, with tea went ashore on the 25th of November, two miles west of Moonlight Head. Advices from Launceston report a visit to the wrecked vessel, which was found to be broken in two, and her bow jammed between the cliffs. Chests and tea were floating about in large quantities, but were supposed to be valueless, owning to the sea water.

The Times, Monday, Oct 03, 1870; pg. 11
Latest Shipping Intelligence. Posted On The Loss-Book, Oct. 1.  Casualties
The Catereau, bark, Captain Davidson, for Newcastle, NSW, was abandoned on the 13th of July 1870 at Hokianga, NZ. She has struck on the bar several times. After her abandonment the pilot, with two two Maoris, went in board, intending to take her to Auckland, but she has not been heard of since.

The Star, October 7 1870 pg3
The barque Fruiterer has been wrecked off New  Caledonia; 24 of the passengers and crew were lost; one passenger and three sailors were saved.

Otago Witness October 29 1870 pg 16
The British ironclad Captain, on returning from a naval review, encountered a storm on 7th September, and foundered at sea. There were 500 persons on board and but one boat's crew has been heard from. 18 crew were saved off Cape Carribede.

The Star 6 December 1871
The Wreck of the Ahuriri. The iron steam vessel was wrecked on Wednesday evening last on a reef about a mile and a quarter from the rocky shore off Tumai estate, belonging to Frederick Jones, Esq. near Waikouaiti.

The Times, Friday, Feb 02, 1872; pg. 12
The Ahuriri, steamer, from Lyttelton for Dunedin, NZ, with a general cargo, was wrecked near Wakouati river, on the 23d of November; crew, mails and passengers saved.

Otago Witness, 25 November 1871, Page 15
WRECK OF THE S.S. AHURIRI.
We regret to have to record the total loss of the screw-steamer Ahuriri, off Tumai, on Wednesday, while on her passage from Oamaru to this port. On the news reaching Messrs Houghton and Co., the agents in Dunedin. they immediately despatched the s. s. Storm Bird to the! scene of the wreck. She arrived there at daylight on Thursday morning, but found no vessel ashore off the place indicated (Tumai). Several bales of wool and other wreckage were observed. The  Stormbird then steamed along towards Pleasant River, where a boat's crew belonging to the illfated vessel was taken I on board. The Stormbird then returned  to Waikouaiti, where the remainder of the crew were picked up ; and then proceeded to Port Chalmers, where she arrived at 1.30 p.m., landed Captain G. M'Kinnon of the Ahuriri, and came on to town with the crew. The Ahuriri was a tine steamer of 131 tons register, built of iron at Whiteinch  on the Clyde in 1864. She came out to New Zealand, and was registered at Wellington by the N.Z.S.N. Co. in 1864. From that time until the selling out by the Company of their boats and plant, she was employed mainly in the North coastal service. She was then purchased by Mr John Martin, of Wellington, and was sold by him only a few months ago to Messrs Houghton and Co., of this city. Since then she has been actively employed in running between here and Lyttelton, with occasional trips as far as Napier, calling at intermediate ports. On one of these last trips she has suffered shipwreck. ....The following particulars of the voyage of the Ahuriri from Wellington to this port, and of her wreck at Tumai, are supplied to us by Mr Steward, M.H.H., who was a passenger by her : � The s.s. Ahuriri, Captain M'Kinnon, left Wellington on Sunday, 19th inst, at 0.40 a.m., having on board several passenger. She had also some cargo from Wellington for Southern ports. Arriving at Lyttelton on Monday at 8.30 a m., she took in a quantity of live stock, among which were three thoroughbred horses, the property of G. Willmer, Esq., Christchurch, viz., Arundel and two others of the same blood. Leaving Lyttelton at about 9 p.m. the Ahuriri proceeded to Akaroa, arriving at 3 o'clock on Tuesday morning. After taking in a quantity of cheese and miscellaneous produce, she sailed for Timaru at 4 am , arriving at that port at 11 o'clock..... Alex. D. McGilliveray, chief officer. Robert McDonald, AB. William H. Grant, steward. The following are the names of the passengers on board the Ahuriri at the time of the wreck : - Saloon : Messrs M'Clashan, and Steward, M.H.R.'s ; Butterworth, Robert Glendining, Manning, Cohen, and Willmer. Steerage : Mr and Mrs Tracey, Messrs Bromley, McAlachan, and M'Shee.

The following is a list of the cargo she had on board : From Oamaru � 50 bales wool, Wright, Stephenson, and Co ; 24 do do, John Reid ; 1 cask soap, Cargills and McLean ; 70 bags flour, J. Winter : 1 bag wool, Dalgety, Nichols, and Co. 120 bags of flour for Invercargill, Cochran and Co ; lot of luggage addressed J. Henderson. From Timaru � 1 steam-engine, Blackadder : 1 case, Miss Wilson ; 1 trunk, J. Scott; 14 sacks cheese, 5 kegs butter, W. and G. Turnbull and Co: 30 cks (5 full). Marshall and Copeland. From Akaroa � 7 cs cheese, 1 keg butter, G. F. Reid ; 1 ck tallow, Turnbull and Co ; 67 cases cheese, order. From Lyttelton � 4 race-horses, (1 saved [but it died soon afterwards), Willmer : 31 packages luggage, Bromley ; 23 cks, Marshall and Copeland ; 7 bags grass seed, W. and G. Turnbull and Co ; 30 bags flour, 100 pigs, 1 horse, 1 buggy, 3 case bacon, George Bros.

Nothing was saved except the ship's papers. Those of the crew and passengers who were left on the wreck, while the life-boat took the ladies ashore, must have had a "bad half hour" while waiting for the return of the boat, for when -she came back the sea was breaking over the wreck. The Ahuriri originally belonged to and was built for the Hawke's Bay Steam Navigation Company, who sold her to the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, from whoso liquidators. She was purchased by Mr. John Martin, who lately sold her to Mr. Houghton, the former owner of the Beautiful Star. She was only partially insured. Within ten hours after she struck not a vestige of her was to be seen. Fortunately no life was lost. It was a providential escape for the passengers and crew, of whose conduct the telegram speaks in terms of praise.

Timaru Herald April 9 1873 page 6
Loss of the Yacht Coquette
Total loss together with Captain de B. Hawtrey, Mr James Kirwan and Mr Joseph Samuel Bates, junr. On the 26th Mr Wright's whaleboat and Mr Latter's four-oared boat, both fully manned, left Akaroa about four o'clock in the morning in search of the missing yacht. Captain de B. Hawtrey was married and leaves a widow and with two young children; he had only been in the province some three years or thereabouts, and was in the prime of life. Mr Jas. Kirwan, was single, would be from 25 to 30 years of age, had served during the Maori War in the Waikato. Mr Joseph Samuel Bates, junr. was about two or three-and-twenty years of age, and came to the colony with his parents, who reside in French Farm Bay, Akaroa.

Otago Witness June 8 1872 pg12
Total wreck of the favourite schooner Caledonia, Captain Walker, whilst coming out of Caitlin's River, with a cargo of timber, and bound for this port. The Caledonia was 60 tons register, was built by Messrs Armour and Richmond, her present owners, in Kilgour Bay, near Port Chalmers, at the commencement of the Hokitika rush. Employed in the coasting trade. The loss is partly covered by insurance.

A Gentle Way of Expressing it.

Taranaki Herald, 19 November 1873, Page 2
The number of wrecks and casualties that occurred on the coast of New Zealand during 1872-3 was twenty-four, of 3,421 tons in the aggregate, being less in number, though more in tonnage, than the losses of the previous year, during which there were thirty-eight casualties, of 3,104 tons. Thirteen lives (including eight that was supposed to have been on board the brig Australia, which was wrecked off Cape Campbell) were lost through the wrecks of 1872-3, against eleven in the previous year. The wreck return includes particulars of five casualties that happened beyond the limits of the Colony, but to vessels bound hither.

Otago Witness January 18 1873 pg14
Napier, January 15.
During a sever storm the cutter Margaret, bound from Auckland to Napier, with timber, capsized in Tologa Bay. Charles M'Luggan, the master and Richard Jackson, the mate, were below at the time, both drowned. Two other hands, who were shipped in Auckland, and whose names are not known, being on deck at the time, succeeded in reaching the shore.

Otago Witness February 22 1873 pg 17          March 29 - survivor's story pg 17.
The Wreck of the Northfleet, 895 tons new, 951 tons old measurement, which sank off Dungeness when leaving England bound for Hobart Town with 412 immigrants. The Northfleet was built for Joseph Soames and CO. in 1853 at Northfleet, on the Thames. She passed into the hands of Mr J, Patton, jun, of London, by whom she was owned when she was lost.

Otago Witness Saturday 5 March 1873 pg12
Loss of the Coquette - probably drifted ashore at Piraki. Captain R.De B. Hawtrey, Mr Kirwin, his overseer, and a man named Bates, left Piraki on Saturday in the Coquette which was heavily laden with pigs, sheepskins and other things..

Otago Witness, 7 June 1873, Page 7
LOSS OF THE BRIG AUSTRALIA, AT CAPE CAMPBELL.
(The Press, May 28) 
The brig Scotsman, Captain Rogers, arrived in harbour yesterday afternoon, and we are sorry to learn by her of the wreck and loss of all hands of the brig Australia from Newcastle to Timaru, with a cargo of coal. Captain Rogers reports that he left Newcastle on Monday, the 12th inst., and experienced favourable winds until making the land, sighting Cape Farewell on the 21st ; the wind was light and variable on the 22nd ; on the 23rd passed Cape Campbell in company with the brig Australia, the wind blowing a strong gale from the N.W., and sailing under double-reefed topsails ; at 4.30 p.m. the wind suddenly fell light, and then veered as suddenly to the S. W. ; commenced to shorten sail, but before the sails were fast a terrific gale set in, and was forced to bear up for Cook Strait in company with the brig Australia, which was running with every sail flying, the Scotsman running with two lower topsails and foretopmast staysail ; at 5.30 p.m., the main topsail burst ; tried to stow it, but could not do so, so had to cut it off in order to save the yards, and also for the safety of the ship. At this time the wind was blowing a furious hurricane. At 7 p.m, the fore topsail sheet carried away ; clewed it up as best we could, and cut the fragments that remained from the yard ; the foretopmast staysail at this time was in ribbons. The ship broached to when on the starboard tack, and the vessel was pooped by a heavy sea which made a clean breach, smashing bulwarks, &c. The deck was full of water. Everything loose was thrown overboard to save the staunchions and also for the safety of the crew. At 7 p.m. got a new foretopmast staysail set and ran the ship before the wind ; Cape Campbell light bearing N.W. At this time saw a green light passing about a mile inside of us, and which was supposed to be the brig Australia. At 9.30p.m, rounded Cape Campbell, when the gale abated, the wind falling light until midnight when it was calm. At 8 o'clock next morning one of the men aloft reported that he saw something floating on the lee bow. At 10 a.m. saw it was the wreck of a ship ; tacked the vessel and got out the boat, and sent her with the mate and four hands to ascertain what she was. On his return he reported that it was the brig Australia. At 2 p.m., weather being fine, run the brig alongside of the wreck and made fast, but was only able to secure the mainmast. Resumed the voyage ; had northerly winds down the coast. The brig Australia was owned and commanded by Captain Craig, and the crew numbered ten hands. It is certain she was lost on Cape Campbell during the heavy gale.

Otago Witness Sept. 6 1873 page 10
The Dallam Tower (Age, August 20th)

Otago Witness Sep 6. 1873 page 15
Wrecks Fairy Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Timaru
The schooners Emille and Scotsman came ashore at midnight, and early this morning both were total wrecks. They were loaded with coal and timber.

Otago Witness 21 March 1874, Pages 15 & 16
Telegrams: Wellington March 12th
The wreck of the barque Cyrus was sold today for �35 and the Wellington for �31

Otago Witness 21 March, Page 7
THE WRECK OF THE WELLINGTON AND THE CYRUS.
The Wellington Independent of the 9th inst gives a long and graphic account of the wreck of these two vessels, together with other interesting particulars connected with the recent gale.
Captain Andrew's Statement
The Captain of the Cyrus gives this version of his mishap: On Friday night, when we left here, we commenced working to windward through the Strait, but the ship made little headway. We had a restless night that night, still working to the westward. At noon on Saturday we were in Cloudy Bay, when I wore ship and stood away to the nor'ard and east'ard. It was blowing pretty strong from the nor'west during the afternoon, but as the day wore on it blew a very strong gale, which lasted till about half-past six, when it took off and shifted round to the south-east, the weather getting very thick. At four o'clock the White Bluff bore WSW and at half-past five it bore W. From that time till about nine o'clock I kept her to the NNW, when her course was about N. The weather came on very much thicker than before, but soon after we sighted a light, which I took to be Mana light. It turned out, however, to be Pencarrow, and when I found this to be the case I hauled to the wind immediately, on the port tack. The wind headed her off for a time, but she was too far in to clear the land, and struck between Lyell's Bay and Sinclair Head. As soon as I saw that the ship must go ashore, 1 gave orders to clear away the boats. One was lowered immediately after she struck, but it was smashed to atoms. No further attempt was made to lower the other boats, as the sea was making a clean breach over the ship, and no boat could live in it. I then got a line ready, thinking that if I could succeed in getting it ashore I should be able to save the lady and children, by taking a life-buoy and carrying them with me one by one. There was a rock under the ship's counter and another about ten yards away, and thinking it possible that the men could get ashore if they could got on this second rock, I sent the second mate and a hand to make the attempt. They willingly obeyed the order, but both were washed off the rock and seen no more. Mrs Wrigglesworth was standing beside me, and we each had hold of a hand of the youngest child; the other one was sitting on the deck. I told her that if I could got the line ashore, I would jump overboard with the first child and come back and take her and the other child: but I had scarcely uttered these words, when a heavy sea broke over the ship, and knocked the deck-house down, crushing Mrs Wrigglesworth and the children between it and the bulwarks. The same sea swept me overboard; but I chanced to grasp a rope as I went over the rail and swung myself back. I found then that the force of the wave had broken the ship in two. With the roll of the vessel the deck-house fell back, and I could see the children lying beside their mother on the deck, but I could not tell whether they were dead or alive, as I could not get near them on account of the quantity of wreckage that was floating about. If there had been a possibility of landing, the lady would have been passed ashore by a line, but it was difficult to stand on the rocks, as they were washed by the sea. The first mate, Mr Johnson, and another man, ultimately got on to the rock, ten or twelve yards from the ship, helping each other to do so by means of a piece of plank. The ship had by this time completely broken up and we all got on to the rocks, where we remained four hours. The water ran very rapidly between the rocks, but at last two of the men went to the head of the current and jumped in. They got safely ashore, and found a farm house, where they got a line. Fixing a large stone on to the end of it, they flung it to the rock, where we fixed a piece of timber to it, and were dragged ashore. We struck only about ten minutes before the Wellington, and about fifty yards from where she went ashore. We signalled to her, but it was of course no good then, and she made two bumps and seemed to disappear altogether. How any of us escaped is a miracle to me.
Captain Hill's Statement
The Captain of the Wellington, who had a great experience on the New Zealand coast, gives the following account of what took place on board the vessel since she left port: We sailed about six o'clock on Friday evening, everything going on all right until about twelve o'clock on Saturday. At that hour the wind, which was from NW increased in force, gradually rising to a strong gale. We then wore ship and stood in for Cloudy Bay. The wind kept stiffening up to one o'clock, when the ship was reduced to close reef topsail. Between one and two o'clock the gale measured to a perfect hurricane, the sea being lashed into a sheet of foam. In drawing up the fore and mizen-topsails we lost them altogether, and we then furled the main topsail, the ship at the time laying with her rail to the water, although under bare poles. At five o'clock we were about ten miles off the White Bluff, and I then tried to wear ship with the foretop-mast-staysail, but she would not wear. I tried everything I knew to her to wear, but without success, until about seven o'clock, when we had a sudden shift in the wind to the south-east. We were then about five or six miles off Cape Campbell, and I bent a new fore topsail, but the sea was so high and terrific that we could not carry an inch of canvas for two hours. At half-past eight we set the fore and main lower topsails, steering N by compass, which should have taken her to Cape Terawiti. At nine o'clock we set the upper foretopsail and foreton-gallantsail, the sea having gone down considerably. I left the deck at half-past ten, the course being still the same. I gave the second mate instructions to see that I did not go to sleep, as I was very likely to do, having been up all the previous night. I told him to keep a good look-out for the loom of Teawiti, as I wanted to alter the course. At eleven o'clock the mate reported the loom of the land right ahead, and the next moment the man on the look-out sung out "Rocks ahead!" Immediately I came on deck I saw the loom of the land and uttered her course. Finding the land still ahead, I put the helm hard-a-starboard and braced the yards up, thinking it was Terawiti and that she would clear it. Just at that instant, I observed a vessel ashore under our ice, burning a blue light, and before I had time for thought the ship struck about fifty yards from the Cyrus. We endeavoured to get one of the boats out, but it swamped while being launched. In the meantime the carpenter and one of the seamen cutaway the lashings of the longboat, but the ship heeled over so much from one side to the other that it was impossible to get another boat out, or in fact to do anything. All hands and myself were aft in the weather mizzen channels, but the mate, having a life-buoy, jumped overboard and made for the shore. One of the able seamen (Rushton) stripped off his clothes, and with a piece of timber also attempted to get ashore, which it seems, he succeeded in doing, though he afterwards died of exhaustion. The second mate, Mr Hamill, finding he could be of no further service on board, asked me what was to be done. He wanted to get a small boat out, but there was no chance of it living, and I recommended everybody do the best he could for himself, and trust to fate. Hamill then lightened himself of clothing, made a leap into the water, and struck out for the shore. Ten minutes after the vessel struck she was completely on her beam ends, her masts and yards in the water and the sea making clean beaches over her. There seemed little hope for us all, but the hand of Providence was near and we were rescued from death. All that remained of the ship was now level with the water's edge. Hope was abandoned, but just at that moment the large boat, which had boon standing keel down on the deck house, came floating past the ship. We were convinced we could not launch her ourselves by the swamping of the first boat, and it is a perfect miracle how the boat kept afloat, as she was to windward of the ship. It is likely that the wreckage outside her broke the force of the sea. The ship was going from under us, and the men, thinking there was a chance of getting the boat through the breakers and out to sea, made a rush along the ship's side, got on to some wreck, and secured the boat, which had a cover over her and was equipped with oars and rowlocks ready for immediate use. I followed them and got in, there being, with the carpenter and myself, ten persons in the boat

 Burnt blue lights for wanting a pilot or assistance.

Otago Witness, 8 August 1874, Page 18
Bluff, July 30th. The brig Carl, from Lyttelton to the Bluff, has struck on a rock at the mouth of the harbour. The rock appears to have gone through her bottom, and the wreck is abandoned. The brig is insured in the New Zealand office. July 31st. At the survey of the brig Carl, it was reported that 35 feet of her keel was broken from the stern. The water flows in and out of the hold. Considerable damage has been done. It was recommended that she should be sold for the benefit of all concerned. The wreck of the Carl was bought by Mr Brodrick for �60. The sails, boats, and other gear fetched �130.

Timaru Herald Friday March 12 March 1875
Melbourne, March 6
Fate of the Gothenburg's passengers
Only 22 of the crew reached Port Deniston. 95 have perished. On the fatal night of the 24th February the vessel was abandoned. Three men were picked up on Holborn Island. Mr and Mrs Hart, late of New Zealand, were amongst the drowned in the Gothenburg.

Timaru Herald Feb. 12 1875
Wreck of the Steamer Mongol and the drowning of Captain Flamank, Mrs Flamank, Gawthorp, and the chief mate, Ring, fourth officer; Smith, fourth engineer; Gentle, boilermaker; Smith, carpenter; Jewell, second steward; S. Bevis, mess steward; Ludlow, Murdoch and Lewis, fireman; Frankeustone and Stone, sailors; and two Chinese. She started from Yokohama. Stuck a rock in the vicinity of Nine Pins.

Otago Witness May 8 1875 page 13
The Court of Enquiry in the Copatrick case recommend, amongst other things, that ships should not be allowed to carry boats bottom up. When they are hung on the davits in a "right" position they are always, as everyone who has travelled knows, so full of mops, brooms, chairs, paint cans, and rubbish, that it is impossible, as a rule, to launch them without taking these things out. Moreover it is invariably the case that a lot of the oars are missing, and the plugs are not to be found, or are possibly broken into the holes and rendered useless.

The Wreck of the "William and Mary" in Cook Strait June 6th 1875, most respectfully inscribed to Captain Stevens by John Crop, Poet Laureate of Westland, Hokitika, August 11th 1880.

"William and Mary"  Schooner, of 47 tons built at Footscray near Melbourne in 1864, capsized 30 miles NW of Kapiti Island on 5th June 1875. Four members of the crew were drowned. Master J. Stevens was rescued.

The skipper gazed with fond delight
As fast his vessel flew
Amidst the sparkling billows bright
Though wintry breezes blew
From Nelson to Patea bound
This timber laden ship
A craft to mariners renowned
For each successful trip
The wind was fair the morning clear
Nor deemed the seamen brave
They soon should sink with wild despair
Beneath the yawning wave
But dark, and gloomy grew the sky
Till rose a fearful gale;
The foamy waves curled mountains high
And rent was every sail
The deck was swept by every wave
More fierce the wild winds blew
Drowned one by one who vainly crave
For help the gallant crew
The mate and skipper went below
Some duty to perform;
The labouring ship with furious blow
Overturned in that wild storm
The billows rushed the hatchway down
The lazaret was near
To which unwilling thus to drown
They climbed twixt hope, and fear
Three days and nights here they remained
No food or drink was there
But the salt ocean that detained
Had filled them with despair
One only hope to them was left
Twas through the hatch to dive
Of every other chance bereft
For life and light to strive
The mate plunged boldly down there
But never rose again
The skipper next essayed the deep
The surface to regain
Down fathoms down to clear the ship
Then sought the fresh free air
The floating mast his hands first grip
Then lashed his body there
Cold famished we are that fearful night
But slowly passed away
Oh! how he prayed for morning light
The blessed light of day
It came at last he feebly strove
To climb the vessel's side
With hope of aid from heaven above
Contented there to bide
Twas noon the "Hannah" hove in sight
The gale had died away
And soon to his supreme delight
Was safely borne away
Now thanks to him who rules on high
Who marks the sparrows fall
But that same Providence is nigh
Whatever may befall.

Timaru Herald 12 July 1875 pg 4
The Loss of the Schiller
Left NY April 27th with a general cargo, 364 passengers and crew of 120 and mail bags and newspapers from New Zealand., via San Francisco for London. The first bag marked "Newspapers, New Zealand." the second was marked "New Zealand, London," and apparently contained letters. The third was marked on the leather label attached, "Letters, Auckland, via San Francisco, London." The fourth package was similarly labelled. A fifth had the words, "Per Mikado, from New Zealand, London." The sixth bag's contents were also letters and was marked "Auckland, for London." The y were forwarded by mail train from Penzance to London. Stuck off Scilly. Some of the letters found in the mail bags that were picked up have arrived back at Plymouth from London, where they had been placed in fresh envelopes and redirected.

Timaru Herald Wednesday 28 July 1875
New Plymouth, Monday Evening
The cutter Hero was abandoned three miles off Mokau. The crew took to the boats, which, as they entered the surf, upset, and all were drowned except a boy who washed ashore. The names of the crew were Dobel (master), Gordon, terry and Hunt. Hunt was saved. Hunt was the nephew of Captain Fairchild, and was cabin boy in the Luna, but ran away. He is 17 years old. Heavy rollers, sent in from the beach, frightened the master, and owning to the starting of a plank on the port side, the vessel laboured and made water. The pumps were kept at work, and the captain resolved to go for Mokau. He shook out a reef from the mainsail, but no sooner had he done that than the mast cracked. They took to the boat, and the first surf capsized it. Hunt swarm ashore. The cutter Hero, abandoned off Mokau, is insured for �400 in the South British.

The Nelson Evening Mail Wednesday 25th August 1875 page 2
Wreck enquiry of the schooner Esther, 47 tons, on Rangitoto Island. William Johnston, master. William Davis seaman onboard. He had been on the New Zealand coast for ten years. Abraham Palmer, master of the Murray.

The Southern Cross 26 August 1875 page 2
Stranding of the schooner Queen, Thomas Jones, master. Certificated numbered 2344.Stranded at Hokianga, on 4 July 1875. Crew numbered four, including the master. Had a cargo of gum, but no passengers. Bound for Auckland. Francis Gallichan, the mate. He had been at sea 40 odd years. Had no certificate. Charles Lawson, seaman on board. 

The Southern Cross 14 October 1875
The schooner Echo was wrecked at Awanui on the 9th inst. She was bound for Auckland, and had a cargo of 160 bags of maize on board. The Echo was about 27 tons register, and was in charge of Captain Parker. She was built by Messrs. Lane and Browne, of Wangaroa, about 12 months ago, and was owned by Mr William Black, of Awanui, who had recently purchased her. She was insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company for �400, her value being estimated at �600. No lives lost. totally destroyed. 6th Oct. The wreck of the Echo was sold by auction at Mr G.W. Binney's yesterday, for the sum of �31. The purchasers were Messrs. Conroy and B. Pillinger.

Timaru Herald Monday 17th January 1876
Supposed loss of the Darling Downs, off Taranaki. The stern board washed ashore on the Ahipara beach, bearing the name "Darling Downs," a topsail and top gallant yard, painted white, was also found near the same spot. The natives of Waihi observed an empty boat about one mile from shore. The following day it was seen off Onairo, when a native swam out and brought it in. Evidently the gig of a large ship. It was in good order. The home papers report the Darling Downs as having left London for Sydney on the 30th September.

Timaru Herald Wednesday 19 January 1876 page 3
The Wreck of the Will Watch
(Otago Daily Times, Jan. 15.)
The Will Watch, cutter, 29 tons, Mr Joseph Moodie, loaded with timber, sailed from the Manukau to the Bluff. Besides the captain, there were two seamen, named Edward McLean and Christopher Gardner. They called at several ports, rounding the West Cape with a fair wind. Got inside the Solander Island towards N.W. end of Stewart's Island; then encountered a heavy S.E. gale, and had to run the vessel before it. Saw full-rigged ship with no fore and mizen topmasts, and barque evidently dismantled. This occurred on 22nd November, at dusk. The gale eventually blew them by daylight closer on Bellamy Reef, at the entrances of Chalky and Preservation Inlets. Rounded vessel to, being about three miles from shore. A heavy buster struck her at this time and threw her on her beam ends, thus filling instantly. The men clung on to the wreck till about 7 that morning, when they managed to get the dingy righted, the oars being fortunately secured in the thwarts. They were then about one and a-half miles from land, the vessel drifting into and along the shore. They managed to land in Chalky Inlet through the means of the rocks the swell of surf being tremendous. At this place they found a pickle bottle tied to the branch of a tree, in which they discovered a letter, written by Captain Fairchild, of the Luna, stating he had been there some four months before. They stopped there that night, subsisting on a few raw shell-fish, having no means to light a fire. They divided. McLean decided to tackle the east coast. It took them three days over to Preservation, about twelve miles from the entrance. Here he collected driftwood, and made a raft and crossed, taking a day to get across to the east side of the harbour. On Dec. 7th he managed to make his way down to a hut that had been inhabited by persons engaged in building the lighthouse. There he found some matches, a tin of beef, some rice, biscuits and sugar. After two days' a boat belonging to Riverton luckily put in there. The other two men took the mountainous route. The probability of the two other men being found is small indeed.

Timaru Herald Friday 21 Jan. 1876 page 3
Sydney Jan. 12. Captain Ferninor returned to Sydney from the Straits bringing a portion of the wreck of the Essie Black found on Deal Island. He searched for the crew without success. All must have perished.

The Timaru Herald Friday 4 February 1876 page 3
The Commissioner of Police has been instituting enquirers in reference to the schooner Will Watch, which is said to have capsized off Preservation Inlet some months ago, and he has been informed by the authorities of Auckland that no such vessel left Auckland at the time stated by the seam McLeod, and no vessel of that name ever left Auckland.

Timaru Herald Thursday 20th January 1876 page 3
A year ago last February, the barque Janet, of Boston, sailed from New South Wales in the direction of Auckland Islands. A few days later, a Boston barque, Maria Ann Long, and an English barque, name unknown, followed on the same course. No tidings were received of the Boston vessels, when Captain Bremen, of the barque Marathon, returning from a voyage round the world brought back the story to Boston. At one of the ports at which he stopped, he had fallen in with a sailor who purported to be the only survivor of the three crews of the vessels, and he said they had become encalmed in the vicinity of Auckland, and laid together for several days. They were boarded at night by cannibals, who came in large numbers, overpowered the crews, plundered and scuttled the ships. The men were carried prisoners to shore, and furnished food for the horrible feast of their captors.

Timaru Herald Saturday 18 March 1876 page 3 col d
A wreck at Blind Bay, near Cape Brett is reported to be the Blanche, schooner, late Governor Fergusson's yacht. The report arises from the fact of cedar fitting being found.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 21 March 1876 page 3
The Southern Cross Saturday 8th April 1876 page 3
Loss of the schooner Florence and one of her crew.
(Lyttelton Times, March 20th)
The schooner Florence and one of her crew were lost in a squall off Banks Peninsula on the morning of Friday, March 18th. This fine fore-aft schooner of 55 tons register was built at Great Barrier Island in 1869, and was employed in the Thames trade; was then purchased by Neil Beeton, who took her to Samoa.. After this the vessel was purchased by Messrs Cuff and Graham of Lyttelton, during which ownership she went ashore at the Hokitika Bar and after being thoroughly refitted was sold to Mr W. Finnimore, of Wanganui, in January, 1875, being still engaged in the coasting trade. The schooner went ashore on the Waitara bar, and sustained some considerable damage. She was then again thoroughly repaired and fitted, and finally changed owners in January last, becoming the property of Captain McIntyre of Wellington, this being the first trip for her new owner, owning to certain charters entered into by Mr Finnimore having to be completed, the last one being for a cargo of timber from Perlous Sound to Dunedin. The vessel arrived at Dunedin on February 18th with timber, and having discharged the same, lay there in expectation of being chartered, and not meeting with success sailed for Wellington on Thursday last, March 16th, at 8 a.m. with twenty-one tons of stone ballast on board, her usual quantity, in charge of Captain Alexander Macfarlane, who had been in command of the vessel for the previous six months, and a crew of four men including the mate, two of whom had sailed with the captain for about eighteen months. At 2 am of Saturday morning with the Lyttelton Light bearing W. distant about nineteen miles a terrific squall from the W.N.W. struck her abaft the beam heeling her over on her beam ends until the masts and sails were in the water. The mate and two of the seamen together with the Captain succeeded in getting into the boat. The cook named Charles Jackson was endeavouring to obtain an oar, and did not respond to the Captain's order. Considerable difficulty was experienced in extraditing the boat from the vessel's stays. Captain Macfarlane, Chalres Klein , the mate, Walter Benzing and Olsen, the two seamen were thus adrift in the boat without oars, water of provisions and were drifting at a rate of four knots an hour . She rode out the gale. The boat drifted some forty miles. The occupants constructed some paddles out of the lining, lasing the pieces together with yarn from the painter, the men using their shirts as sails. The Heads were entered about 11 p.m. on Saturday night. The men went ashore at Gollan's Bay in hope to find some water. Seeing some old paddles there, they appropriated them to expedite arrival at Lyttelton and the Waterman's Steps were made about 1 o'clock yesterday morning. 

Otago Witness Saturday 1 April 1876 page 11
Loss of the Schooner Florence, 55 tons, her crew in a squall off Banks Peninsula, on the morning of Friday, Mach 18. She was built at Great Barrier Island in 1869. Captain Alexander Macfarlane, in charge. The cook was Charles Jackson drowned. Chas. Klein (mate), Walter Benzing and Olsen (the two seaman). The lifeboat drifted forty miles. No oars. Went ashore at Golian's Bay, found oars. Made the Waterman's Steps Lyttelton at 1 am.

The Southern Cross Saturday 8th April 1876 page 3
Wreck of the Fanny Kelly
Captain Farquhar reports the wreck of the Fanny Kelly at Wangaroa on March 28. After passing the Heads the wind left. Her anchors were let go, the chains parted, and the vessel drove on to the rocks. The captain and one man on board had a narrow escape for their lives. They were at last rescued by a whaleboat. The vessel drifted outside the Heads, and fetched up on the rocks near Flat Island. The vessel was condemned and sold to Mr Davidson for �12. He then gave the steamer Iona �30 to come down and tow her into Wangaroa. One of her sides is completely stove in.

Victoria - Ovens and Murray Advertiser. Timaru Herald March 1st 1876
Timaru Herald Friday 3 March 1876 page 2 
North Otago Times April 19 1876 pg2 from the Times on Monday 17th. The narrative of George D. Crombie, one of the survivors.
North Otago Times April 11 1876 pg2 - lists survivors
New York, N.Y.: Apr 9, 1876. pg. 2
Timaru Herald June 6th 1876 pg3
The Wrecked Strathmore at the Crozet. Six months on a desolate island. Horrible sufferings of the survivors. Rescue of twenty survivors.

THE WRECK OF THE STRATHMORE
Galle, Ceylon 24th February 1876 [Emigrant ship from London to New Zealand wrecked on the Crozet Isles, 1875, and 362 persons drowned.] 
The Sierra Morena put in here and landed 12 passengers and 8 of the crew part of the survivors of the Strathmore, of Dundee, a new iron ship of 1872 tons, on her first voyage from London to Dunedin, New Zealand, wrecked in (1st) July 1875 on one of the Crozet Islands in the Southern Ocean. The above and 24 others were taken off the islands on the 22nd January by the American whaler Young Phoenix in a wretched condition. On the 26th of January the Phoenix fell in with the Sierra Morena, and transferred the twenty landed today. Owing to the scarcity of water the Sierra Morena could not take more. The facts of the wreck and the rescue are as follows:- The Strathmore, a new ship, one of the finest every launched in England, sailed about April last with emigrants for Otago New Zealand. 88 souls were on board and she had never been heard of until the surviving passengers were landed here. The Strathmore, when out 75 days, ran on the rocks at night on a group known as the Twelve Apostles in the Crozet Group. About 44 persons were drowned. The remaining 44 lived 7 months on this barren island, which fortunately had one good spring on its summit. They lived on sea birds and their eggs. Several vessels came near them during the 7 months but the wrecked people failed to attract their attention. When saved by the American whaler they were in a destitute condition and scarcely had a rag on them. The Sierra Morena which took half of the saved from the American vessel arrived here today bound to Kurrachee with railway material. The second mate of the Strathmore and the captain of the vessel that rescued them came ashore first. They state that 49 people were saved. Two died on the island from having been frost bitten in the feet, and their toes rotting off with mortification. The captain (Alexander Macdonald ) and the chief officer were drowned. Those saved lived for 6 months and 21 days on sea birds and a kind of weed like the top of a carrot, growing on the island. The island is a mile and a half long. Half of it is perfectly bare rock the other half covered with rank grass. Their fuel for cooking was the feathers of the birds. A few matches were saved, and they kept a lamp burning with oil expressed form the birds. Hardly anything was saved from the wreck. The boats they escaped in were lost the first night, the rocks being perpendicular and no beach to heave them up on. The following is a list of the saved on board the Sierra Morena: B. Peters, the 2nd mate, J. C. Allen 3rd mate, G. Buttenshaw 1st steward, D. Wilson 2nd steward; John Pirie Carpenter; Walter Smith sailmaker; John Smith cook; John Wilson, A.B.; James Knight 3rd class passenger, Robert Sinnie ditto; Frederick Benley 1st class passenger; Spencer Joslin ditto George Croabie, ditto. Wm Rook 3rd class passenger; George Ward ditto; Jnr Ward ditto; George Skidmore ditto; Thomas S. Tandring ditto; Robert Wilson ditto; Wm Wilson ditto. The following is a list of those left on board the whaler Young Phoenix: Mrs Wordsworth 1st class passenger; Mr Wordsworth ditto; Mr Walker ditto; J Leak A.S.; J Fitzmaurice ditto. C. Tookey ditto; T. Blackmore ditto; H Turner apprentice; F Carmichael ditto; E Preston ditto; CK Jackson boatswain; Hilton Keith 1st class passenger; J Nicol engine driver; Joe Tuck 3rd steward; Jno Warren A.B.; J Staworth A.B.; A Erikson AB; M. Rioldan A.B: W. Venting A.B; J. Wilson, A.B: E. Sharp A.B.; J. Frail A.B.. A relief fund and assistance in clothing were at once forthcoming. Most of the seamen have been sent to England by steamers.  [Mrs Wordsworth, an Edinburgh lady, who had been living some time in Liverpool, - a widow going out to New Zealand with her son, also happily saved with her.  [A saloon passenger - drowned - Miss Henderson, daughter of Mr Henderson, engineer, of Wellington, N.Z., to whom she was going with her brother, who was saved] [All the second class passengers, six in number, were lost. Their names, I believe, are:- Mr and Mrs Biddell, of New Zealand, Mr and Mrs Nobell also returning to NZ, to the West Coast, Mr Sannach, from London, Mr Blair, an old gentleman]

Timaru Herald Wednesday 27 February 1891
The Shaw Savill and Albion's Companys s.s. Mamari arrived in the Timaru roadstead Wednesday. During the trip from London, the steamer shaped a course close to the Crozets and was within a mile of shore. A good view was obtained of the coastline and heights, and the cairn set by the survivors of the ship Strathmore was distinctly visible.

The Strathmore, a full rigged ship, was built with the shipyards Brown and Simpson for Dundee Line Clipper whose director was David Bruce and launched on January 22, 1875.Length 74 meters, width 10.50 meters, tonnage 340 tons. The Strathmore left Gravesend on April 19, 1875 for Dunedin. Survivor information can be found at the Lloyd's Marine Collection, Guildhall Library, London, item 20 of Research Box 1. There is a photo in White Wings Vol. 2. The YOUNG PHOENIX under command of Captain David L. Gifford and sailed from New Bedford on July 3, 1875 for a sealing campaign up to that point unfruitful. 

Timaru Herald March 30th 1876
Captain McFarlane and his crew arrived at Wellington. He and the three survivors of the Florence arrived here this morning by the Hawea, Captain Wheeler having kindly given them a free passage up from Lyttelton, and also brought up their boat. The men landed there with only their shirts and trousers on, but had great difficulty in getting either food or shelter, as it was evident they had no money to pay for it. 

Timaru Herald Saturday 25 March 1876
Auckland, Friday evening
Arrived - Broadrick Castle, 99 days out from Plymouth, with 270 adults. Two children and one women died during the voyage. There were several births. A fine passage was experienced, but very high winds prevailed. All the passengers are well. The Captain of the Broadrick Castle reports passing the ship Sparkenhoe, of Dublin, off Madeira, abandoned, and boats all gone.

North Otago Times April 11 1876 pg2
The rescue of the crew of the Gustave, Captain A. O. Anderson, Swedish steamer, on 5 January, by the fishing hamlet of Cresswell.

Southland Times, Saturday, 15 April 1876
Patea, Thursday
The s.s. Egmont, in going out at ebb tide this morning, went ashore on the boulder bank, knocking a hole in her bottom. She is full of water. She was loaded with wood and grass seed, and is likely to be a total wreck. The cargo is not insured here.

Otago Witness 22 April 1876 pg 11
Wreck of the Banshire, steamer of 58 tons register, belonging to Mr James Burns, of Townsville, and commanded by Captain D. H. Owens, wrecked on Cape Sandwich, Hinchinbrook island, account from a survivor Eliot Mukkens, accountant of the Australian Joint Stock Bank. She was going to Cooktown. "I heard the awful cry, "We are going ashore." Only one lady was saved, this was Miss James, the stewardess, who clung to a rope, and washed inshore, and was dragged up by Peter Connell, the fireman. Five minutes from the time of striking al was over - all were saved or hopelessly gone from our sight forever. Antony, the coloured cook and a stowaway had a miraculous escape. They were unable to leave the vessel until she was washed up high and dry, when they coolly walked ashore. We were taken off and conveyed to Townsville by the schooner Spunkie. Saved_ Captain Owens, Miss James, R. Coutts (mate), E. Parsons (engineer), and the following passengers: E. Barnes, J. de jersey, Hugh Hughes, Frank Robinson, John Jones (seaman), John Capper, Thomas Harney, T.F. Taylor, William Foley, James Baxter, William Burke, Charles Price, R. Bormby (carpenter), James Smith, Peter Connell, John Willet, Andrew McKay, Alexander Gordon, John Macannally, Antonie (doubtful), and five others.
Lost - Mr and Mrs Welsh and four children, Mrs Matteson, Mrs Antonie, Mrs Davey, J. Anderson, Neh Lang, William Moore, Thomas Hanrahan, Edward Hanrahan, James Simpson (fireman), Patrick Ryan, Robert Ellingworth , and for or five supposed to be stowaways.

Timaru Herald Monday 5 June 1876 pg 3 from the Auckland Herald
Wreck of the brig Sarah, of Melbourne. On the up trip from Russell of the s.s. Iona, when midway between Wide Berth Islands and Elizabeth Reef, saw a boat full of men making a signal, stopped and found it to contain the crew of the Sarah, Captain John Thompson, from Wellington, bound for Wangaroa, to load timber for Melbourne. She left Wellington on the 16th May, heavy gale. Hit rocks. Came across Mr Thomas Hansen, hunting cattle, who took us up to his station. The Sarah was owned by Mr R.A. Wright, of Williamstown, Melbourne and is insured....

The Star 29 September 1876
Charleston, Sept. 28
A letter from Karamea dated Sept. 20, states that wreckage has been washed ashore, along with timber spars, compass, candles, brandy, rum, vinegar, ship's boat and a life bouy marked "Lahogue, from London."

The Star 30th Sept. 1876
It is feared the wreckage on the Karamea Beach, 40 miles North of Westport, shows that the ship La Hogue has been lost. She was 1331 tons burden, commandeered by Captain Wagstaff, and was due at Sydney on the Sept. 2, being then 92 days out. She probably encountered the late gale off the Australian coast.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 10 October 1876 page 3 column d
The brigantine Augusta reports finding the brigantine Stranger, bound from Auckland to Kandavan, a total wreck off the reef of Kandavan. The wreck was abandoned. She had apparently broken her back. The Stranger was the property of McEwan and Co., of Melbourne.

The Star 12 Dec. 1876
Inquiry into the Loss of the Otago, at Chasland's Mistake, Captain Calder.
The loss of the ship is to be attributed to the default of the second mate, Thomas G. Palmer, in not keeping to the course ordered by the master, in neglecting to check repeatedly the steering compass by the standard compass, and in neglecting to call the master or to take the usual precautions so near land, viz., slowing speed, heaving the lead, and keeping vessel off the land. 2nd mate's certificate suspended for two years.  [See Editorial The Star Dec. 14 1876.]

The Star, Dec. 13 1876. The s.s. Tararua replaces the s.s Otago in the New Zealand trade.

The Star 13 Dec. 1876
The barque William Ackers which left the Bluff on Monday for Lyttelton with a cargo of 185,000 feet of sawn timber, struck the reef off Waipara Point early yesterday. She drifted on to the beach and is a total wreck. Seven of the crew are said to be drowned, including the captain. Three were saved.  The cargo is uninsured.

The Star Dec. 16 1876 The Story of the William Ackers.
The Wreck of the William Ackers. 8 lives lost. At midnight on the 11th she felt to touch the reef at Waipapa. The barque was heavily laden for Lyttelton. Those saved were the first mate, an A.B. seaman, and Captain Joss, a passenger, whose family resides at the Bluff. They had swam ashore. The body of Captain Lindsay was recovered.

The Star 15 Dec. 1876
Recent wrecks.
It is now certain that only the chief officer, one seaman, and Captain Joss, formerly of the Celestia, and a passenger by the barque William Ackers are saved. This vessel is dismasted and lies half way between Waipapa and Slope Points. The wreck lay two miles east of the Point.

Timaru Herald Jan. 30 1877
Report of a collision between the iron emigrant ship Hurunui, 1031 tons, and a barque Peter, 450 tons. The Hurunui had 40 crew, with nine saloon passengers bound for New Zealand and 220 statute adults bound for New Zealand. "Vessel right ahead with no lights."

Evening Post Friday 2nd February 1877
Board of Trade inquiry respecting the collision between the British ship Hurunui and the Greek barque Pater, and the loss of most of the crew of the latter, has concluded. The captain of the Hurunui had shown great want of discretion and of presence of mind - qualities which should not be deficient in one having the command of a ship with so many lives on board, and they ordered his certificate to be suspended for twelve months. The certificate of the second mate was returned. Home News.

Wanganui Herald Monday 26th February 1877 page 2
Wellington, Feb. 24.
A fatal accident occurred about one o'clock this morning, when the hulk Eli Whitney, with 800 tons of coal aboard, sunk in the harbour in deep water about a hundred yards from the wharf. The man in charge, Davey, was aroused by his wife, a young women only 16 years old, hearing a rush of water in the hold. He got his wife and baby on deck hurriedly. He had no time to dress, and had just time to place them and himself on a large plank, when the hulk disappeared. They drifted on the plank to the baths at the north end of the harbour, where the man much exhausted, dragged himself to a neighbouring house for assistance. The wife was found dead, but the baby is missing- no doubt drowned. A furious northerly gale was blowing at the time, and it was intensely dark. The hulk carried no light. A report is current that the steamer Taupo, Captain Carey, which left Picton a little after midnight, ran into the hulk. The hulk is not insured, and belongs to Captain Williams. Sank about a cable's length E.N.E. from the wharf. The mainmast stands about 25ft. out of the water, on which a white light will be hoisted. 

Otago Witness May 19 1877 page 11
The William Gifford, ship, is on shore one mile from Toi-Tois; all hands saved. The ship was blown away from Dunedin, and ran for the Bluff. The crew kept were kept at the pumps night and day. Obliged to run her on shore, as she was sinking, having 11ft 7 in of water in her hold. She became unmanageable, and would not steer. The cargo grain and flour was insured.

Otago Witness Saturday 11 August 1877 page 11
Total loss of the steamer City of Hobart
She left Newcastle on Saturday, the 21st, having on board 615 tons coal - cargo and bunkers - and bound for Melbourne. She encountered a gale. Shaft broke or the propeller had slipped. The ship made water fast. Founded 60 miles NE of Wilson's Promontory. The steamer Barrabool saw the lifeboats and picked up Captain Lowrie and his crew and brought them to Sydney. The steamer was owned by Mr William Summerbell, of Sydney, the unfortunate owner of the Yarra Yarra, which foundered off Newcastle.

Timaru Herald Wednesday 15 August 1877 page 2
The barque Robina Dunlop, bound for Batavia from Wellington, is a total wreck off the mouth of the Turakinia River. The crew, numbering 14, are all saved.

Otago Witness August 18 1877 page 11 
Loss of the Gloucester
The barque Gloucester, Captain Vincent, left Newcastle with coal on the 26th inst., bound for Japan, sprang a leak, 70 miles off Port Stephens, and foundered within 30 miles of Smoky Cape, after a strong S.E. gale. Two boats containing 15 souls left her. Captain Vincent, four coloured men, and a women arrived at Clarence Heads in one boat, and the other, containing the mate and some of the crew, subsequently reached Trail Bay safely.

Otago Witness Saturday August 25 1877 page 16
Wreck of the Lionel
John Hume, the engineer drowned on the steamer Lionel, leaves a wife and four children wholly unprovided for. Captain Steward was formerly of the brig Craig Ellachie and who was known in Sydney, leaves a wife but no children. The other two men were unmarried. The vessel belongs to Mr McLelland, now in the South. She was insured in the Batavia Office for L700. 50 people on shore witnesses one man climbing to the bottom, while the vessel drifted over the bar, but were unable to help him. He was ultimately washed off into the surf. The hull was completely smashed, and is worthless.

The number of wrecks reported for the year to date March 10th, 1877 was 518
The number of wrecks reported for the present year to date May 19 1877, amounted to 830.

Evening Post Thursday 20 September 1877
The Loss of the Christian M'Ausland
The ship left Manila on the 6th June and took the inner eastern passage until the 8th July, when she got into the Java sea. Owing to the wind being fresh from the southward and eastward, the captain thought it best to run for the Straits of Sunda. At 10.30 a.m. sighted the E. and N.E. islands of the group called 'The Thousand Islands,' and on sounding found 20 fathoms of water. Thinking the wind would shy, the ship went to leeward of all the islands, and was in the Straits. The lead kept going, and a man looking out on the topsail yard. The captain afterwards went up on to the topsail yard. At 12.20 p.m. the depth the same. At 12.35 p.m., the captain being still aloft, the ship struck hard and fast on a coral reef. A kedge and hawser were run out on the starboard quarter and led to the windlass, and she then commenced to discharge cargo until 4. p.m., the tide falling, the ship began to strike so heavily that she made water at the rate of 18 inches per hour. At 8.15 p.m. she slipped off into 15 fathoms. At this time there were 15 feet of water in the hold. All hands then took to the boats and lay by the ship all night, but lost one boat. The captain then asked for volunteers to go on board and set sail, it being his intention to try and get into Anger. Three boat crews on board and all possible sail set, but the vessel commenced gradually to settle. Got into the boast when the forecastle was under water. At noon, on the 15th July, the ship went down in 20 fathoms. After a week's stay at Batavia the captain and crew proceeded to Singapore where a Court of Inquiry was held and all the certificates being returned.

Otago Witness, 27 October 1877, Page 9 LOSS OF THE MARY SHEPHERD.
The ship Mary Shepherd, once a trader between London and this port, was wrecked near Manilla. The ship sailed from Mauritius on April 19 for Manilla in ballast, and struck on the reef of a sunken island south of Manilla Bay, about the middle of June. She went to pieces immediately after she struck. There was no time to get the boats out, the commander, Captain Caroline Cooke, a man named White, and two apprentices named Thurman and Smith, failed to reach the land, and were drowned. The rest of the officers and crew were saved.

The Star Monday March 11 1878 page 2
The total wreck of the schooner Canterbury in Troy Channel. She was on a voyage from Lyttelton to Perlous Sound in ballast, and on Monday last, meeting with heavy southerly weather, went into Troy Channel to an anchorage for shelter. During the night the wind increased violently, and although the vessel had both anchors down, she was driven on to the rocks. The master, Louis Pyke and crew succeeded in landing safely and when the weather had moderated they managed to save all the vessels' gear. The Canterbury was insured in the Victoria Office. The �250, and was valued at  �400. Mr Tabateau, of Christchurch is her owner.

The Star Monday March 11 1878 page 2
The s.s. Star of the South, 176 tons, Christian from Wellington and Gore Bay, that arrived yesterday morning, brought down Captain Carey and the crew of the barque Glencoe, from Gore Bay. The barque was lying moored to the Government buoy, and had one of her anchors down on Saturday, March 2, the wind being N.E. and blowing strong. The vessel dragged and went ashore close to the Hon. W. Robinson's landing place, becoming a total wreck. The crew were all able to get ashore safely and succeeded in saving the majority of their belongings. The barque's deck and bulwarks were above water.

The Star Wednesday March 13 1878
The enquiry into the loss of the barque Glencoe was held at the Custom House, Lyttelton, yesterday morning, before Alexander Rose, Esq., Collector, and Capt. Watt, of the ship Wanganui, Nautical Assessor. The evidence of James Carey, master of the barque, Charles Couch, chief officer, and W.H. Candy, acting second officer, was taken, and the facts elicited were the same as those we have already published.

Timaru Herald Monday April 29 1878 page 3
Missing Vessels. Loss of sixteen ships and 203 lives
Wreck of the ship Merchant on the outside of the Great Barrier Reef

The Southland Times Monday May 20 1878
Loss of the Ann Gamble
The Wreck of the Express. Mr Gorman, agent for Nobel's dynamite, returned to Invercargill on Saturday, after having been engaged during the past three weeks at Riverton in superintending the operation for clearing the wreck of the s.s. Express.

The Southland Times, May 25 1878
The foundering of the ship P.H. Hazeltine off Cape Horn was an item in the late Mail news via San Francisco. The Hazeltine was owned by H. Harriman, her commander, and others, was built at Belfast, Maine, in 1876, and was loaded with miscellaneous cargo. Her dimensions were 223ft in length; 42ft beam; 255ft in depth hold, and she is registered 1664 tons. Her crew consisted of captain, first, second and third officers, cook, steward, and 14 men. The fate of those on board is not known yet. Insured cargo total 151,109 dollars.

[Capt. Edwin Horace Herriman, was master and part owner of the P. R. Hazeltine, launched on May 25, 1876. At 233 feet, the schooner was the largest vessel ever built in Belfast. Two years later word came that the Hazeltine had been wrecked off Cape Horn. The captain and his wife and son were aboard and did survive, but the cargo, worth $500,000, did not. In 1893 the captain died in an Augusta mental hospital, driven insane, it was thought, by the loss of his beautiful ship. Reference] Chronology of the Ship P R Hazeltine 1875-1882 by Priscilla Jones, 1982

Timaru Herald Wednesday June 28 1878
The ship Hyderabad, which left Lyttelton on Saturday last, with broad gauge rolling stock for Adelaide, has gone ashore near Foxton, in Cook's Straits.

Otago Witness 14 September 1878 page 13
Waitara, September 11
Captain McKenzie of the Hamish Mokau just arrived from Raglan, reports a quantity of wreckage along the beach off that place. Several kegs of butter have come ashore, also 63 dead sheep, which have been skinned by the Natives; part of a vessel's deck, sails, spars, &c., and a headboard marked "Kaiuma" leaving no doubt as to the result which has befallen that schooner. She must have gone ashore on Monday Head during the gale on the 5th ult., and that all hands perished. 

Timaru Herald Friday 13th  September 1878 page 2
The Missing Schooner Kaiuma
New Plymouth, Sep. 12
The Kaiuma is lost. There were seven persons on board when she was at Waitara - viz, Captain Maule, his son Frank Seipman, better known as the professor, now of the Northern Advocate; Mitchell was a boy going to see his friends at Kaipara; Sorensen was a son of a German living here. Captain Maule has two sons, both little children. His life was insured, but he was not married to the woman he was living with, and she and her children are left destitute. He is said to be a relative of Captain Grubb, late of the Merlin, schooner, which was wrecked some time ago.

The Times Thursday, Oct 17, 1878; pg. 11
Wellington, NZ, Oct. 14 - The Felixstowe has been wrecked at Otaki; part of the crew saved; cargo and coals cannot be saved. The Felixstowe sailed from Newcastle, NSW, on the 30th of July for Lyttelton, NZ.

Otago Witness Saturday 16 November 1878 pg 19
Wellington, Nov. 9th.
Captain William's barque Carlotta, from Newcastle, with a cargo of over 400 tons of coal, went ashore on Lighthouse Point while beating into Wellington Harbour this morning with the flood tide. A heavy N.W. gale was blowing and the seas washed over the vessel. No lives lost. She is breaking up and will have disappeared to-morrow morning.

Otago Witness January 4 1879 pg12
Auckland, Dec. 28th
The schooner Edith has arrived from the South Sea islands, and report the wreck of the schooner Tallsman at Autukalue, bound to Auckland, with a cargo of pearl shells and copra. All hands saved. The vessel is insured for �500 each in the Batavia, Victoria and Union Insurance Companies, while the cargo is insured in the South British office for �200 and half-reissued in other offices.

Otago Witness 11 Jan. 1879
Wanganui, Jan. 6th
The schooner Arthur Wakefield, from Nelson and Wanganui, went ashore fourteen yards south of the Heads on Sunday night. the sea us very calm and she is expected to get off to-night's tide

Timaru Herald January 7 1879
Wanganui, Jan. 9
The Arthur Wakefield, which left Nelson for this port, with a cargo of sugar, ran ashore on the North Beach shortly after six o'clock last evening. The schooner is owned by Mr James Cross, of Nelson, and is insured. C.S. Cross remained beside her all night to watch on behalf of his brother.

Otago Witness February 1 1879 pg12
Picton, January 26th. - the schooner Rose of Eden struck on a rock in Troy Channel and became a total wreck. All hands saved. The schooner was 30 tons register, and a trader between Havelock and Welling. It was only on Thursday last that she came off the slip, having been thoroughly overhauled. She left last Saturday night, in ballast, for Havelock in charge of Captain Botham? The vessel is insured.

Timaru Herald, 19 February 1879, Page 2
Loss of the s.s. Taupo. � We regret to learn by telegraph of the stranding of the Union Company's s.s. Taupo, at Tauranga, yesterday. Latest accounts state she is likely to become a total wreck. The Taupo was under the command of Captain Cromarty, well known in the Timaru trade.

Timaru Herald 1 March 1879
Tauranga, Feb. 28. Inquiry into the loss of the s.s. Taupo, Captain Cromarty, left Auckland at 1.30 a.m. on the 17 inst. and arrived off the North Rocks about 6.50 a.m. on the 18th. The wind was light, about half ebb tide. Got into a current. F.F. Garrard, chief officer. Captain was in charge when she struck. Robert Campbell, a passenger. H. Marks, Harbour-master and Pilot at Tauranga.

Otago Witness March 22 1879 pg12
The p.s. Geelong, Keane, master, has become a total wreck on the inner bank of the southwest entrance to Whangapoa Heads, a little north of Hokianga. The crew were saved, but two Native passengers were drowned.

Otago Witness 22 March 1879 pg 13
Auckland, March 14th.
The Geelong was the property of Mr G.W.  Binney and was engaged in the timber business from Whangape. She went ashore on the inner bank of the S.W. entrance. She was insured for �1100 in the Batavia Insurance Company. The steamer took the bar at low water, and crossed the outer bar to safely, but as there was not sufficient water she struck on the spit inside the bar, and broke up almost at once. The crew had a narrow escape. The engineer, an elderly man, lashed himself to a piece of floating board, and after a long spin reached the shore safely. Two ladies Mrs McMath and Mrs Smith, got hold of a cask, and drifted about four miles before they reached shore. All the others came ashore on a piece of eth wreck, with the exception of a Maori man and woman who were drowned while trying to get ashore.

Otago Witness April 5th 1879 pg 19
The Loss of the Bonnie Dundee.
On the 10th instant the steamer Barraboo, Captain Clark, came into collision with the Bonnie Dundee bound for the Manning River. Boat cut in half. The body of Mrs Brown, wife of Mr David Brown, product merchant, was recovered near a hencoop. Miss Brown, Mrs Dugdale, wife of one of the directors of the Manning River Company, and Mrs White, stewardess, not recovered. The Bonnie Dundee was a steamer of 131 tons burden, Clyde-built, owned by G. and B. Nicol, and chartered by the Manning River Company.

The Southland Times Monday April 7 1879 & 5th
The Sarah Jane has gone. There is little doubt all on board must have perished. On the Sou-west Point shore a cutter's dingy was found and several pieces of the wreck such as the cutter's skylight and bulwarks. Captain Williamson of the cutter Dolly Varden, which arrived in Stewart's Island during the day, 5th, reported that when crossing the Straits at about 1 p.m. he sighted the cutter Sarah Jane off South West Point, running for Bluff.  Shortly afterwards she disappeared. She was a fishing boat of 16 tons register, built at Stewart's Island, with a well, was owned by Mr Sherbert and chartered for a twelve month by Messrs Simpson and company for fishing purposes. It is supposed that whilst she was labouring in the sea-way her well burst, and she founded immediately, taking all hands down with her: The names of those on board were Charles Anderson, Henry Scanlan and Thomas Somers. The cutter was quite insured.

The Southland Times Thursday April 10 1879
Wreck of the Bayard, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, which foundered on December 10 in the Gulf of Florida when on a voyage from New Orleans to Rouen, with a cargo of wheat. Two (the sole ) survivors.....

Southland Times Saturday 26 April 1879
Blenheim, April 25
The schooner Ruby, from Wellington to Havelock, with a cargo of bricks, was wrecked on Walker Rock, off Jackson's Head, at seven o'clock on Wednesday evening. There was no insurance on the vessel or cargo. The crew and passengers were saved. The craft was owned by Mr Davidson (Kaikoura), and the master was Captain Backstrom. The passengers were brought on to Picton by the Taiaroa.

Timaru Herald Monday 23 June 1879 / Otago Witness July 12 1879 pg12
Wreck of the ketch Franklin Belle at Oamaru

The Star Monday 30th June 1879 page 2
Wreck of the three masted French barque B.L. Five and a half miles North of New Brighton, Canterbury during a  strong ESE gale.
Yesterday morning the look-out man at the Pilot Station at the Heads signalled that there was a large vessel ashore near Kaiapoi. The p.s. Lyttelton was despatched to the scene, having pilot Reid onboard. On reaching the Pilot Station at the Heads, the tug stopped to take on board Pilot Galbraith and the boat's crew, the life boat being made fast astern. About noon the tug was abreast of the wreck, which was found to be a barque, about two miles south of Kaiapoi, on the Forty-mile Beach. The wreck was lying head on the beach, and the seas breaking over her stern. Her foremast is gone by the board, and is lying across the rails, while the mizzen mast had been carried away, and was standing nearly upright against the mainmast. Sails furled, and braces hauled tight. The jibboom was standing and the head sails were loose. The barque was painted ports and a square stern. She has a house on deck which is adrift and washed down on to the starboard bulwarks. There were two large letters - B.L. in white, together with a long name. There was a white boat on the beach. The B.L. is a French barque, 364 tons, built 10 years ago, Captain Francois Savory and left San Francisco on April 12 with a cargo of barley for Lyttelton, cosigned to Vincent and Co., Christchurch, and put into Auckland on June 11 with her pumps choked, leaving there on June 14. No lives (12 crew) were lost and some of the crew came to Christchurch last night. Finding of Court of Inquiry: Casualty caused by dense fog and heavy sea, and master not having been able to take observations for four days previously. The crew came ashore ay 5 o'clock yesterday morning (29th June) with their chests. The residents near the beach came to their assistance, and took them to their houses; the men afterwards were placed in the New Brighton Hotel. . The B.L. was 97 days from San Francisco and called at Auckland for provisions but left eight days ago.

The Star Friday 4 July 1879 page 2 has the full story wreck of the barque B.L. .
Tacking the whole day with foggy weather. Peres Victor, A.B.

Christchurch Star, 2001 July 27, p. A9
Stormy seas off east coast reveal wreck of barque, B.L. at Waimairi. The ship sank in 1879.

On July 19 2001 the beach in the Pegasus Bay area witnessed the start of the worst storm to hit this coast for nine years. The waves washed away between 1 and 3 meters of sand from the fore dunes but left the main dunes relatively untouched. The most serious damage occurred at New Brighton and Waimairi beaches and from Spencer Park northwards. The Christchurch coastline was not the only place to feel the effects of the storm. Beach levels were lowered by 2m and a huge area of farmland was flooded in the Wainono Lagoon/ Waihao River area near Timaru. During the week of 19th there was an unusual combination of low pressure and high tides. A 9m swell was generated offshore by an area of very low air pressure to the east of the South Island and spring tides coincided with this, bringing 3-4 m waves onshore.

The Star Monday 30th 1879 page 2
Loss of the Barquentine Swallow.
The Barquentine Swallow, Captain Davis, has become a total wreck at the entrance of Troy Channel. All hands saved and landed at Picton. The Swallow was a handsome barquentine of 298 tons register, owned by Mr Hannel, of Newcastle, and for some time past been running from Newcastle to Lyttelton with coals for Messrs Cunningham and co. The ship's papers were saved.

The Star Tuesday 1st July 1879
The Wreck of the B.L.
At low tide she is nearly high and dry, while at high water the hull is frequently submerged by heavy rollers which continue to come in. Part of the crew are living in a tent made of an old sail spread over a spur, and appear perfectly contended. She evidently must have come ashore on the top of a huge sea, as to be thrown so far up on the beach. The vessel and cargo are insured in the American office. The captain's son and one or two of the crew are at the scene of the wreck. The captain being a stranger to this land, scarcely knew what steps to take. He was referred to Mr Rose, Collector of Customs. The ship stores under bond being liable for duty if landed here.

page 3
Death of a Diver.
Yesterday afternoon a man named Paul Louis Clifford, who had been engaged as diver at the wreck of the barque Belle, met with his death whilst under water. Clifford had made application to Captain R. Wood for the work. Frank Thor was engaged as mate. He was taken ashore to Mrs Edgar's house, in Gollan Bay and brought around by boat, and placed in the morgue. He was staying at Green's boarding House, Lyttelton for about ten days, and said that he had come over from Sydney. He was about 25 or 26.

Timaru Herald 4 December 1879 pg6 Official Inquiry.
Loss of the Schooner John Watson from Timaru Herald Nov. 24.
The three masted schooner struck on the reefs, on Nov. 20, to the southward of the roadstead. She was in the company of the small schooner Saxon. The son of Mr Young, baker, of Arthur street, was on board, having gone off a day or two before for the purpose of fishing and having been unable to return. Captain Storm. On crossing the reef off Bloody Jack's Point, she struck heavily. She lies in 20 fathoms of water, about ten miles from the coast, off Waimate. The John Watson was a three masted schooner of 209 tons, and was owned by Mr George Steele, of Banff, Scotland, at which port she was built in 1875, by Mr John Watson, after whom she was named. She had about 220 tons of coal on board when she was lost, belonging to Mr E. Smith. All rescued by the Saxon.

Robert Storm, late master of the John Watson, stated: I hold a Board of Trade certificate of competency as master, No. 21575 (produced). I arrived in the Timaru roadstead eight or nine days ago, from Newcastle, NSW, with a cargo of coal. I was brought up by the Harbor Master, Alexander Mills, in about four fathoms water, about twenty fathoms north of the Government Landing Service buoy, and anchored with a ten or eleven hundred weight anchor, and thirty fathoms of 11/4 chain cable. On Wednesday afternoon last I found the vessel was drifting towards shore. there was a strong N.E. breeze with a sharp sea.

Southland Times Tuesday 18 Nov. 1879
The schooner Helen and Jane, Captain Sangster, loaded with grain by Messrs Whittington Bros. and Instone, and bound from Riverton to Melbourne, was wrecked on Mussle beach, West Coast, last Wednesday. The crew all arrived safely at Orepuki last night.
    Inquiry 22 Nov. ST. Before Mr Nugent Wood, R.M. and Captain Tait, harbormaster. Loss attributed to her missing stays, owning to the heavy ground swell. The ship's log was washed ashore. Wreck sold to Messrs Irwin and Roderick for two pounds and 10 shillings. She was insured for �700 in Derwent and Turner office Melbourne.  Messrs Taylor and Tibers, of Melbourne, were the owners. She had been built only ten months.

Waikato Times, 23 November 1880, Page 2
Wreck of the Arab Maid. London, November 20.
The Arab Maid, bound from London to Port Chalmers, ran ashore at Kingsdown. All lives were saved.

Evening Post, 6 December 1880, Page 2 London, 4th December.
The ship Araby Maid, which went ashore last month at Kingsdown, has been successfully floated. Her cargo has not, apparently, suffered any damage.

Timaru Herald Dec. 8 1879
Story of a Shipwreck in the Polar Regions.
Brig - Tamandra, a trader, late Captain Ravens. In command of her second mate Mr Thomas.

Otago Witness April 24 1880 page 15
Ship Calypso run down and sunk off Margate. All hands saved. She was owned by Captain Leslie, and was fully insured. She is a total loss. Her cargo consisted of 4376 bales of wool and sundries of a total value of 87,896. The Calypso commanded by Captain Hird, and left Port Chalmers for London on January 19th with the following passengers:

Benniwith 	Mr H
Callagher 	Mr J
Closs 		Mr J
Gibbs 		Mrs
Grant 		Mr and Mrs
Imrie 		Mrs and family (5)
McConnell 	Mr A D
Miller 		Mr T A
Montgomery 	Mr G
Nicol 		Mrs
Thomas 		Miss
Will 		Mr W

Otago Witness April 17 1880 page 13 
Wreck of the Rosannah Rose
Near Flaxbourne Station, Montbourne.

Otago Witness Saturday 11 September 1880 page 15
New Plymouth, September 7th 1880
At 3 o'clock this morning the steamer Rangatira, on her passage from Manukau to this port, ran ashore near Bell Rock, and became a total wreck on a reef known as Pepperies Fishing Nook. The place lies about four miles north of New Plymouth, and two miles from Waitara. She had eight passengers on board. For New Plymouth - Mr Ford and some Chainmen. For Wanganui - Judge Symonds, Messrs Porter, Saunders, and Turner. It was a beautiful night. Her passengers and mils have just been brought to town. Captain Harvey was on deck an hour before the vessel struck. She is uninsured. The Rangatira was owned by the Hon. J. Martin, D. Anderson and J. Burn, of Wellington, and valued at 6000.

Otago Witness Saturday 11 September 1880 page 15
The Daily News - July 14th  1880. Board of Trade Inquiry at the Wreck Commissioner's Court, Westminster, before Mr Commissioner Rothery and two nautical assessors. The Knowsley Hall was an iron ship of 1860 tons, and was built at Liverpool in 1873, by the firm of R.J. Evans and Co., and at the time of her loss she was the property of Mr William Herron, of Liverpool. She left London on the 39th May, 1879. She had a general cargo of about 265 tons, and 35 hands and 54 crew. Assumed she foundered.

Otago Witnes Saturday 27 November 1880
The New Zealand Shipping Company's vessel Araby Maid, from London, 17th November, to Port Chalmers, got ashore when leaving port. She is still aground at Deal. All the passengers and crew were saved.

Evening Post, 22 November 1880, Page 2
20th November. The ship Araby Maid, bound from London to Port Chalmers, ran ashore fto-day at Kingsdown. All lives have been saved. A telegram to the Union Insurance Company at Dunedin states that the vessel "went ashore at Deal while leaving port." The Araby Maid is badly strained. It is expected that most of her cargo will be saved, but the extent of salvage will depend on the weather.

Wanganui Herald, 25 January 1881, Page 2
DUNEDIN; Jan 25.
The New Zealand Shipping Company has received advice from the London manager re stranded ship Araby Maid. The letter states that the whole of the cargo has been landed, and as the tide is making an attempt will be shortly made to float the vessel. The condition of the hull cannot yet be accurately ascertained, and it is doubtful if the vessel can be repaired to enable her to carry cargo within a "reasonable time. The master of the Araby Maid attributes the accident to the Loch Tyne. wrongfully riding at anchor with her side lights burning, thus causing him to think she was a vessel under weigh, and to alter his own ship's course. An enquiry will beheld.

April 30 1881 - Sarama, of Melbourne, wrecked on reefs off Otaoj , NZ, 80 lives lost.

Timaru Herald May 9 1881
Napier. 8th. A collision occurred yesterday in the inner harbor. The steamer Sir Donald was coming into port from the Ringarooma when the Union Company's launch Boojum left the cattle wharf with outward bound passengers, but owing to the position of the wharf those on board the Boojum could not see the Sir Donald coming down the channel, and when the steamers could see each other it was too late to avoid a collision. The Boojum struck the Sir Donald amidships, cutting a hole six foot wide. The master of the Sir Donald at once ran his vessel on the boulder bank, where it sank.

Timaru Herald May 11 1881 
The S.S. Taupo sank in 38 fathoms water near Meyer Island

The Times, Thursday, Jun 15, 1882; pg. 13
The Min-y-don, of London, off. No. 73,587, which sailed from Newcastle, NSW, for Lyttelton, NZ, laden with coal, on February 10 last has previously been referred to as overdue, was yesterday posted at Lloyd's as missing.

The Star 5 July 1882
The loss of the Agnes Jessie at Mahia. The vessel was driven into the bight of Hawke's Bay, and being heavily laden and on a lee shore, the captain found it impossible to get her out again. Both her cables parted, after consulting the mate, to beach the vessel at Te Hoe. This was accomplished in a heavy sea, the vessel grounding some considerable distance from shore. The mate and three of the hands managed to get ashore. The captain and five men stuck to the vessel. The longboat was then launched, and five men get into her, but before they could clear of the vessel the boat capsized, and all but the captain were drowned.

Timaru Herald, July 6 1882 pg 2
The enquiry into the loss of the S.S. Westport, which ran ashore at Akaroa and subsequently sank off Flaxbourne. Captain Gibb allowed to act as first mate during the suspension of his master's certificate.

Otago Witness January 13 1883 
Wreck of the ship Wild Deer. Glasgow to New Zealand.

Otago Witness 20th January 1883 pg 14col a
The steamer New England, belonging to the Clarence and Richmond River Steam Company, wrecked on December 27th, while attempting to cross the bar of the Clarence River, and 10 lives were lost. Meritt, chief officer.

Otago Witness 20th January 1883 pg 14 c & e
The Albion company's ship Wild Deer, Captain Kerr, which started from Glasgow last week for New Zealand 9indeed we believe for Port Chalmers), is reported by cable this week to have gone ashore on "North Rock," in the South channel, 20 miles from Belfast, Lough, abreast of the Mull of Galloway, perhaps a little southward, and 16 miles south of Donaghadee on the Irish Coast, and to be likely to become a total wreck. She had 200 emigrants on board, all of whom, with the officers and crew, have happily been saved. The Wild Deer is an iron framed, planked vessel, and was built in December, 1863, by Messrs C. Connell and Co., for the Albion Shipping Company.

Timaru Herald Friday 30 March 1883
Loss of the S.S. Macedon
700 tons burden wrecked off Rottnest Island within an hour of leaving the jetty.

Timaru Herald May 18 1883
Rescue of two Chinamen in the Bay of Biscay belonging to the steamer Kenmore Castle, of London also Captain Milman, of the Rangitikei, picked up a crew of seven of the schooner Mary Agatha off Cape Finnisterre.

Otago Witness Saturday July 14th 1883. Page 15
WRECK OF THE INO.
The s.s. Ino has come to grief at Owaka, Catlin's River. Her keel, propeller, and bottom generally are damaged. She is insured for �700, the risk being divided equally between the Victoria, United, and National Offices.

Evening Post, 8 March 1883, Page 2
London, 25th January. The disastrous wreck of though Clyde emigrant ship, Wild Deer, on the treacherous coast of County Down, must have startled many in New Zealand who were expecting friends and relations to rejoin them in her. She was a fine vessel of 1016 tons, built at Glasgow, and owned by the Albion Shipping Company. She sailed from Greenock for Otago, under charter to the New Zealand Government, on Friday, 12th January, but encountered boisterous weather. As soon at she got in the Channel from the Clyde a heavy sea prevailed, and when night came on the wind blew half a gale. The vessel then lost her course and drifted, striking on the North Rock, a dangerous reef three miles from the village of Clougboy, shortly after eleven o'clock at night. The passengers, 200 in all, had retired to rest, but were awakened by the shock, and a general panic ensued. A rush was at once made for the hatchways. The officers implored the terrified passengers to remain below, assuring them there was no immediate danger, but the panic in the part occupied by the females was so greet that the doors had to be locked to prevent them from rushing on deck. The darkness was so thick that the position of the ship could not be ascertained, but signal rockets were employed, and were promptly answered from the coast guard station. The coast guard put off but had to return, as the boat was stove in. Repairs were expeditiously made, and at 3o'clock in the morning they started again, and after four hours hard rowing they reached the ship. At daybreak, fishermen's boats came alongside, and in those and the ship's five boats (the sixth was rendered useless by the fall of the mainmast), the passengers were a11 landed safely and conveyed to the tiny village of Cloughey. As it only contains about 20 small houses, the Presbyterian minister of the district threw open his church for the accommodation of the shipwrecked people, and many of them remain there until arrangements are made for their conveyance to Belfast. With the help of a large quantity of straw, they made themselves as comfortable as they could. It was providential that no lives were lost. Had the officers succeeded in keeping the passengers down below, many must have been injured, as, soon after the collision, the mainmast fell over the side. The passengers, after spending Sunday night at Belfast, where they were accommodated in the Sailors' Home and in lodging houses, were taken on to Glasgow in the steamer Dromedary, and will be reshipped on board the ship Caroline, which sails shortly.
    The emigrants, who are chiefly Scotch, bitterly complain of the exorbitant demands made by the owners of fishing boats, which put off to render assistance, one of the crew remarking that he had been wrecked no fewer than seven times, and yet had never witnessed such an amount of barbarity at that displayed by the County Down men. He alleged that when their boats went alongside of the stranded vessel they coolly demanded �1 per head for every passenger landed. They then lowered their demands to �5 for every 15 passengers taken ashore. Finally, added one young Scotchman, I told them I would give them 5s for taking me ashore, and after some higglin' they agreed tae that."
    The vessel will become a total wreck, and the prospect of saving much of the cargo, some 900 tons, consisting of whisky, dry goods and pig iron, in unfavourable. Captain John Kerr was in charge of the vessel. She was insured in the Glasgow and Liverpool offices for about �14,000.

Timaru Herald 17 August 1883 pg3
The collision between the Waitara and Hurunui. Occurred on 22 June in the English Channel, resulting in the loss of a fine ship and twenty-five lives. The vessel which sank, the Waitara, Captain Webster, belongs to the New Zealand Shipping Company. She left Gravesend for New Zealand on June 19th in tow under favorable circumstances. The tug cast off after passing Beachy Head. Another vessel belonging to the same company also left Gravesend on the same day and was towed down the Channel, the tug leaving her after passing Beachy Head. All went well until June 22nd, when the officer of the watch on board the waitara reported a large vessel on the starboard bow, but before the ship's course could be altered the Hurunui was upon her, striking her with full force amidships. Instantly all was excitement on board. The same ship came on again with another terrific stroke and cut the Waitara to the water's edge, the water rushing by the tons into the vessel's hold. Frantic effort was made by Lieut. H.J. Middleton, the chief officer, and some of the crew to launch a boat. The effort was unsuccessful, as the vessel heeled over and went under. For a moment after the second collision the rigging of the two ships remained interlocked, and in this way a few of the crew and passengers were enabled to save their lives by climbing up the rigging of the sinking ship and clambering along the bowsprit to the deck of the vessel which had run into them. From the time the Waitara was first struck to the time she sank could scarcely have been four minutes. The Hurunui lowered two boats, and seven were picked up. Of the eight steerage passengers on board not one was saved, and four of the eight cabin passengers were rescued. The Waitara was an iron ship of 883 tons gross, and built at Glasgow in 1863. She was constructed with two bulkheads. The Hurunui, Captain Hazelwood, is also an iron ship, but is somewhat larger than the Waitara, being 1054 tons gross. She was built by Palmers, of Newcastle, in 1875... One gallant young sailor, named Arnold, handed his lifebouy to a lady, the only one saved, and he also succeeded in reaching the boat. Five seaman had found their way to the forecastle. Sixteen rescued, leaving twenty-five to be accounted for. The damage to the Hurunui was confined to the water tight bulkhead. W. Middleton, first mate rescued. The Hurunui arrived in the Albert Docks on June 25th. At the time of the collision there was no mist. The Waitara was in charge of the second officer, Mr Saunders.

Drowned:
Taylor 		Misses (2) 	cabin passengers
Noble 		A. 		cabin passenger
eight steerage passengers
thirteen crew including Mr Saunders second officer, the chief steward, and two apprentices.

Saved:
Bird 		Miss G.  	saloon passenger
Cheek 		Mrs 		passenger
Cutten 				steward
Dale 		L.B. 		passenger
Hyde 				boatswain
Middleton 	H.T. 		chief officer
Noble 		W. 		passenger
Russell 	H.G. 		passenger
Self  		H. 		carpenter
Toplis 		Mr J.W. 	saloon passenger
Webster 	R. 		master

Timaru Herald 20 August 1883 pg2
Loss of the schooner Alma.
Dunedin Aug. 18
The there masted schooner Alma, owned by Messrs Henry Guthrie, Henders and Paterson, of Dunedin, the latter in command, was lost on the voyage from Wanganui to Rockhampton, laden with sleepers. She was lost on Elizabeth Reef, 350 miles from Brisbane. A vessel bound for Oregon landed Captain Paterson and his crew at North Cape.  Captain Paterson pulled in his boat to Wangaroa. Insured. 300L on the hull, 250 on the freight.

The Times, Thursday, Dec 06, 1883; pg. 7
(From Lloyd's.) Wrecks And Casualties - Missing Vessel
The Loch Fyne (Martin, master), of Glasgow, official No. 73,?670, which sailed from Lyttelton, New Zealand, for London, with wheat, in bags, on 14 May, last.

Wanganui Herald, 23 January 1884, Page 2
Auckland, Jan 92. The cutter Daphne, Captain Burr, arrived from Raratonga, bringing tidings of a most disastrous gale there, causing the wreck of the Auckland schooners Agnes Bell, Atlantic, and Makea Ariki, with the loss of seven lives ; also a fearful amount of damage to property in the Island. Captain W. Munn and John Anderson, mate of the Agnes Bell, Captain Ayers, John Gates, mate, and Patrick Duncan, steward of the Makea Ariki, with Stanley Heather (brother of a Mr Heather, a merchant of Auckland), and a native, were drowned. The three vessels were all owned by Messrs Donald and Edinborough of Auckland. The master of the Agnes Bell, and the master of the Makea Ariki refused to leave to leave their vessels, hoping to save them. Captain Munn was well known in Dunedin shipping circles.

Timaru Herald 2 June 1884 page 2.
The Kangaroo Enquiry. Loss of the steamer Kangaroo near Cape Campbell. Captain Dyball says she went down in nine fathoms of water. The lighthouse keeper says she lies between Bowlers and The Shepherdess reefs with broken water on both her sides. Richard Walsh, boatswain. The Captain must be responsible for the disaster, in that he took his vessel much nearer shore than was prudent or justifiable, in violation of the Sailing Directions. The captain certificate was suspended for three months, and orders to pay the costs of this enquiry, amounting to �36 19s.

Timaru Herald 2 June 1884 page 2.
Wellington, May 31. The barque Fusilier is not likely to be got off the Rangitikei beach. She now lies broadside on to the sea, and everything which can be saved is being stripped from her.

Timaru Herald 21 March 1885
Auckland May 20 1885
The s.s. Arawta, which arrived here from Fiji this morning, brings news of the safety of the missing crew members of the brigantine Nightingale. On the 9th last, the barque Remigio, bound from Newcastle to San Francisco with a cargo of coal, put into Levuka on the 11th inst., having on board Captain Short and the other missing crew men of the Nightingale. They preceeded to Suva in the cutter Rosa and hence back to Auckland. They had been picked up in an open boat at sea. The vessel became waterlogged on the 19th April. The crew, eleven in number, took to the boats on the 29th, but after going about two miles five of the crew considered the boat overloaded, (too deep in the water) and accordingly returned to the ship. The boat, with Captain Short, Hastings (the chief officer), Dempsey (the boatswain), Stooll, Campbell, Walton, ( Joe), and Hannaford (the cook), experienced fair weather till the 26th April, when the sails of the Remigio, in charge of Captain Howard, were descried, and that vessel picked them up.  On the following day there was a terrific storm, which would probably have swamped the boat. Additional particulars... The name of the men who took the Nightingale to port, Sydney where she arrived on 2nd May, were Avarillo, Barnes, Goodwin, Gibson and Keary.  Avarillo had some knowledge of navigation and was appointed charge of the wreck by the captain.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 4th May 1886
Loss of the Flirt at Croezelles on Friday night. No lives lost.

The Star Wednesday May 12 1886 page 2
Loss of the Cunard Liner Oregon

The Star Monday June 21 1886
Wreckage at Southbridge. A quantity of wreckage was found on the Ninety-Mile Beach on Saturday. A small vessel. A yuka, used for propelling small boats, was found with "Lyttelton 'ette" printed on it. There was a box with Hon. Secretary marked on it, and a portion of a small box, with "F. Brinkwell" in large white letters.

The Star Tuesday 29 June 1886
Loss of the Pelican. Wellington 28
The wrecked schooner Pelican, 69 tons, was lying a mile distant from Waitotara river. The beach was covered with wreckage, the bowsprit and jib-boom. The vessel was lying bottom upwards. She was bound from Kaipara to Lyttelton with a load of kauri timber. She was manned by a crew of six men. Commanded by Captain John Devitt, formerly mate of the Annie Wilson, another schooner of larger tonnage, engaged in the same trade as the Pelican. The mate, Lawrence Jamieson, had a wife and family in Lyttelton; there were also on board two sailors, Andrew Erickson, A.B., and John Edmond, A.B., both single men and foreigners, and the cook. The Pelican was owned by Mr John Waller, timber merchant, of Christchurch, who purchased her six years ago.

The Star Tuesday 29 June 1886
Edward Jackson, of Ocean Bay reports wreckage on the beach near Port Underwood. Portion of the hull and cargo of the ketch Thames. He has found a piece of wood painted lead-colour, also seven Customhouse forms, bearing the heading of "Port of Nelson." The Thames traded between Havelock and Nelson, and it is feared she has been lost with all hands.

The Star Tuesday 29 June 1886
Auckland, June 28. The schooner Ruby, 36 tons, S. Veil, master, owned by D. Gouldie has gone ashore at Awarni, near Opotiki, and became a total wreck.

The Star Thursday July 1 1886
The Stranding of the Triumph at Sydney

Otago Witness Friday 2 July 1886 page 14
June 30. The Collector of Customs at Wairau reports that the ketch Thames is a total wreck near Port Underwood. The crew have been safely landed.
The steamer Wareatea was thrown on the North Beach on Monday by a heavy sea. An attempt is being made to kedge her off. She has sustained no damage.

Otago Witness Friday 9 July 1886 page 14
Nautical Inquiry into the Wreck of the Ship Lyttelton

Otago Witness 16 July 1886 page 18
Wanganui, July 14
The purchasers of the hull of the Pelican wrecked at Waitara report that they saved all the timber. They found no bodies. The hull was not considered worth attempting to remove.

Otago Witness Friday 30 July 1886 page 19
The ketch Alpha, which went ashore at Waikawa on Wednesday morning, is owned by Captain Sandieson. The hull is insured for �150 in the Union office.

Otago Witness Friday 13 August 1886 page 19
The s.s. Pelham went ashore this morning. The Pelham, owned by Messrs Kennedy Bros., of Greymouth, ran on the reef of rocks which lies in a south-easterly direction from the flagstaff at the Bluff pilot station, and known as Howell's Rock. The tide was almost at its full at the time. The effects of the captain and crew, and all moveables were landed at the pilot station. The Pelham had a full cargo of coal on board for the Invercargill gasworks. The Pelham was originally a sailing vessel, barque-rigged, and was built at Hartlepool 12 years ago. About two years ago her owners decided to convert the vessel into a steamer, and the necessary alterations and additions in the way of boilers and machinery were made in Wellington. She was 340 tons register, 151ft 8in beam, with a depth of 13ft 7 in.

Otago Witness Friday 20 August 1886 page 19
The stranded steamer Pelham broke up yesterday. Captain Greager's certificate suspended. He was wrong trying to enter the Bluff harbour before daylight. If the captain had reserved the engines when the sounding showed 4� feet he would have saved the ship.

Otago Witness Shipping News 15 October 1886 page 18
The wreck of the ketch Janette at Cape Campbell was the result of careless navigation and Captain Berg was suspended for three months.

Timaru Herald Thursday 3 March 1887
The steamer Hauraki, Captain Harvey, arrived in Nelson, March 2. The Hauraki left Greymouth on Saturday with a cargo of coal for Waitara. At 2 a.m. on Monday, when the vessel was 25 miles off Cape Farewell in a N.E. wind she sprung a leak. So great was the leakage in that quarter that the fires were extinguished. At half past two all hands left the ship, and a about 4 in the morning she went down. The boats made the Spit, and the crew were hospitably received by the lighthouse keepers. Yesterday they launched their boats and pulled towards Waitapu and were picked up by the Lady Barclay.

Timaru Herald Thursday 28 April 1887 pg3
The Wreck of the Waitaki.
Wellington, April 27
S.D. Chatfield, purser, William O'Neill, second engineer, G. Fuller, third engineer, and five of the crew of the Waitaki arrived by train, having come overland from the wreck. The purser states that they had fine weather after leaving Napier until 9 o'clock on Friday night, when the weather came on thick, with the wind from the south-east. On consulting the log it was found to show the vessel must have passed Cape Palleser, and the course was accordingly altered to the eastward. The weather at this time was very bad, and the heavy rain squalls came on and no sign of land could be seen. Very little time elapsed after altering course until the vessel went ashore. On striking, she gave a roll, bumped heavily three times, and ran up the beach. In less than five minutes all was over. The engines were put full speed astern for a few minutes, but without any result. Then they went full speed ahead until the steam was exhausted. The engines were working most of the time in the water. In a quarter of an hour the stoke-hole and engine-room filled, but part of the hold and after striking. A large rock had penetrated the port bilge, and acted as a pivot, the vessel swinging with the sea. Immediately after going ashore the boats were got out, and the women and children placed in them and taken ashore. The mails were next landed. Afterwards the engines stopped and the crew and officers left the ship, and camped on the beach till daylight, when they went on board again and succeeded in clearing the cabin of its fixtures and other moveable articles and stores on the ship. They returned to shore, and during Sunday evening the wind freshened from the south east, bringing up a heavy swell so that, although the vessel was some 20 or 30 yards off shore, they were unable to get on board on Sunday, in order to answer signals of the steamer Mana. She lies on a rocky bottom. At the time of the disaster there were two men on the lookout; and the captain and the 1st mate were on the bridge. The passengers on board were Mesdames Mitchell and child, Coleman and child, and Mr Dean, who together with the remaining of the crew, are still at White Rock station, but will probably come on to Wellington to-morrow.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 10 May 1887 pg2
At the Waitaki inquiry, Captain Decker of the steamship Kiwi. The Waitaki went ashore at Castle Point, abreast of Black Rock. There is a strong northerly current.

Timaru Herald Wednesday 11 May 1887 pg2
Wreck of the ship Northumberland.
Driven ashore at Napier. She parted her cables. A Shaw Savill and Albion Co., vessel. The steamer Sir Donald gave assistance. The Weka will in an hour to assist. The Northumberland arrived at Napier from Lyttelton last night. She has 1000 tons original cargo, principally material for the Wairoa bridge and also 500 tons wheat for London and 500 tons coal. She is under command of Captain Todd.

Timaru Herald Thursday 12 May 1887 page 3
The Northumberland is lying broadside on the Petone Beach. The Boojum, the Union Company's launch, went out to the ship, and was thrown up on the beach. The Boojum steamed under the lee of the ship to take a boat's crew on board., but got into the breakers, and in a second was turned bottom upwards. Only the engineer, J. Martin, was saved. Those drowned were Archibald Waddel, landsman, (a cordial manufacturer), seaman G. Kilvington and volunteer seaman G. Bain and a stranger known as Scotty Ned. The Northumberland crew got ashore by means of rocker lines from the beach. Captain Setter, of the Boojum, has been picked up and is not expected to live.
Timaru Herald Saturday 14 May 1887 pg3 The funeral and inquiry.

Timaru Herald Thursday 19 May 1887
The schooner Onward was wrecked at Gisborne on Monday. She was a boat of 69 tons, and owned by her skipper, Captain McConville. The Onward was a regular trader between this and other ports, principally with flour from the Timaru mills.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 24 May 1887
The Hawkes Bay Wrecks.
Gisborne, May 23
The steamer Sir Donald was wrecked. The beach is strewn for miles with wreckage, including a hatch with 28 decimal 88 tons on it and the registered number 37,108. The ship's clock was also picked up and it had stopped at ten minutes to seven. A lid of a trunk was picked up with the address of Mr Hans Russmussen, chief cook and steward written on both sides. It transpires that instead of four men, who formed the ordinary crew of the Sir Donald, on this trip she took two extra hands.
Those on board were as follows:
John Quinlan (captain)
William Knight (mate)
Fred Knight, brother of the mate (seaman)
James Major
Hans Rusmussen (cook)

Timaru Herald Thursday June 1887 pg 3
Wreck of the P.and O. R.M.S. Tasmania
Went ashore on the Corsican Coast. Captain Perrins. She left Bombay on the 1st April for Marseilles and London, through the straits of Messina, and the straits of Bonafacio...

Timaru Herald Tuesday 14 June 1887
Gisborne, June 13 The Tologa Bay Accident
The s.s. Australia arrived at the Bay and a boat put out from land.. five drowned.

Timaru Herald Friday 17 June 1887
Wreck and Loss of Life
Christchurch, June 16
The ketch Clematis went ashore near Kaiapoi today, and two men drowned. The crew consisted of seven, named Captain Green, the first mate known as Harry Smith (who supposed to be drowned, a seaman (also lost, name unknown, who was working his passage down from the Sound.. The Clematis belongs to Mr W. Duncan, of Picton.

The Star Thursday 30 June 1887
The Clematis, a shore on the New Brighton Beach was successful towed off by the steamer Jane.

Timaru Herald Friday 1 July 1887 pg 3
The Loss of the Barque Glaslyn, under command of Captain A.L. Rive, of Melbourne, well known in Melbourne, and bound from Freemantle to Shanghai was lost on a reef on the 24th of February, 20 miles east of Kalatoa Island in the Flores Sea. The crew set sail for Flores Island.

Timaru Herald Thursday 7 July 1887
The schooner Reward is a total wreck on a rock at the Cavalier Islands, Wangaroa. The crew have been saved, but lost their effects. The cargo has been washed away.

Timaru Herald Thursday 14 July 1887
Captain John Austen, of the barque Deodarus, 286 tons, has arrived at Cairns with officers and crew of the barque. He reports the vessel was abandoned on the barrier Reef, nine miles south of Fitzroy Island. She was in charge of the chief officer, Mr Connor. .... The Deodarus was built at Aberdeen, in 1868, and owned by Mr James Campbell, of Brisbane.

Timaru Herald Friday 15 July 1887
The cutter Willie Winkie capsized yesterday off the Queen street wharf, Auckland, with a cargo of bark, value �200, which is expected to be a total loss.

Timaru Herald Thursday 25 August 1887 pg3
Napier, Aug. 24
The p.s. Tongariro, a vessel about 50 tons, quite recently bought to run between Napier and Mohaka, went ashore at two o'clock this morning about a mile north of the Mohaka river, and is expected to become a total wreck, the latest report being that she is breaking up. She is partly owned by Mr Pack and the captain. No loss of life is reported. The s.s. Fairy had great difficulty weathering the gale, but managed to make the port safely.

Timaru Herald Thursday 25 August 1887 pg4
Loss of the Afton near Lisiansky Island  from the south, near Japan Master Gilmour, whose certificate of competency is No. 91586.

Timaru Herald Thursday September 1887
All hope for the safety of the schooner Columbia and her crew has now been abandoned, the vessel having left Mercury Bay on July 6th last for Napier, and never heard of. She is therefore 62 days out over a few day's journey. The Columbia was owned by Captain Conway (master) and Mr Vautier, of Auckland. She loaded drain pipes at Auckland and timber at Mercury Bay, making a full cargo for Napier. The pipes were shipped by Mr Clark and consigned to Mr Dolbell, of Napier, the timer was shipped by and consigned to Mr R. Holt. Captain Conway leaves a wife and four children, whose ages range from two to ten years.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 13 September 1887
The barque Man Hejan, owned by Mr J.C. Ellie, of Newcastle, NSW, was totally wrecked on the African coast. The crew saved.

Saturday 10 December 1887
Dunedin, Dec. 9
The cutter Lizzie has been wrecked at Catlins river and only one crew of three saved. The craft was manned by three hands, a half-caste named Joss being master, and his brother and another man being on board.

Thursday 30 December 1887
The sloop St Pierre of St Pierre Island, left that port July 28th. 14 crewmen. Drowned.  Log kept until latter part of August. Found by Captain Lawton of the schooner Herman Batesman abandoned.

Timaru Herald Thursday 5 January 1889
The barque May Queen, on 27th January, 1888 became a total in Lyttelton Harbour, while on February 25th the May Queen, ketch, sank off Hoon Island. The Coquette disaster, on December 14th, and on that date the Coquette, three-masted schooner, bound for Newcastle put back to Melbourne, the rudder bands having carried away off Cape Schnack, on the 14th. She was placed in dock at Yarra Rock for the repairs on the 18th.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 5 February 1889
The barque Weathersfield, with all her gear, as she now lies on the beach at Otaki, is offered for sale, together with some expensive appliances by whose means the vessel has been moved seaward some distance. Failing a sale, a tender will be accepted for the floating vessel.

Timaru Herald Wednesday 6 February 1889
London, Feb. 3
The steamer Nereid of Newcastle came into collision off Dungeness with the ship Killochan, which left Lyttelton for London on October 20th. The force of the shock was so great that both vessels were badly injured and sank. In all twenty-four persons lost their lives, seventeen of them belonging to the Killochan.

Feb. 4. The following members of the crew of the Killochan are known to be saved:
Messrs Day and Smith, mates of the vessel, seaman McIver, E. Newen, Parnis, Anderson, Caddy and Brown. Both vessels sank within four minutes of the collision. The survivors were rescued by a passing tug.

Feb. 4. When the Killochan left Auckland she took away as an apprentice a lad named Harold Bell whose parents live in Ponsonby.

Christchurch Feb 5. The Killochan's cargo is insured here. Total �14,525.

Timaru Herald Wednesday 6 February 1889
London, Feb. 5
Wreck of the Roseneath
The Roseneath, which was on the berth at Glasgow for Adelaide, was totally wrecked at Port Patrick. Mr Taylor, the mate, his wife and son, and three of the crew, were drowned.

Timaru Herald 8 Friday February 1889
London, Feb. 6 Another Collision in the Channel.
The barque, Largo Bay, Smith master, bound for Auckland, came into collision with a steamer in the Channel, off Beachy Head. The steamer went down with all hands. The boy. an apprentice. Alexander McDonald fell out of the port lifeboat and drowned.  Thomas Kelly, an A.B. tried to save him, went after him in a bowline and caught him, a heavy sea swept him out of his arms. The crew numbering 22, got into one boat, and left the Largo Bay believing he to be sinking.  In the morning a passing steamer, Urpeth, Captain Davis, picked up the barque and towed her to Spithead in a sinking condition. One of the s was drowned, carried overboard by the falling wreckage and drowned.

 

Timaru Herald Tuesday 30 July 1889
Auckland, July 29. Arrived - Largo Bay, barque, from London with a cargo valued at �21,700. This is the vessel which collided with the Glencoe, 55 persons on board, the latter going down with all hands. [A few years ago the bell from the Glencoe was found on the seabed.  The Glencoe, of the Glen Line, was a 3,000 ton iron steamer built in 1878 by London & Scottish at Govan with a tonnage of 2913grt, a length of 387ft 2in, a beam of 38ft 2in and a service speed of 10 knots, and sank on 7th February 1889 she was in collision with the 1,255 ton iron sailing barque Largo Bay carrying general cargo, bound from London to Auckland in the English Channel and became a total loss even though she was run aground to prevent floundering after collision. The Largo Bay's bulkheads miraculously held and she was subsequently taken in tow for a fee of �1,000 to Cowes, where she safely anchored.]

The Times, Tuesday, Feb 26, 1889; pg. 3;col D
Wreck Inquiry Court. The Largo Bay, an iron barque, of Glasgow, of 1,255 tons register, owners Hatfield, Cameron and Co., left Gravesend, with a general cargo, a crew of 21 hands all told, and one stowaway on January 29 last, for Auckland, New Zealand. She anchored in the Downs, but on the 4th resumed her voyage, and at 10:30 pm was 14 miles from Beachy Head. The master and mate were in deck. George Brown, A.B. of the Largo Bay. The Glencoe, Captain Hutt, chief mate, belonging to Mr McGregor and others with 550 hp, was on her way from Liverpool to London....

The Times, Saturday, Mar 02, 1889; pg. 15; col F
Wreck Inquiry Court. The Largo Bay. Gustav Allbrich, sailmaker on the Largo Bay, 35 years at sea. Said it took a long time to launch the boat; the falls were new, and it was cold.
The Glencoe drew 12ft 6in forward and 16ft aft when she left Liverpool. She had 410 tons of stones and 300 tons of bunker coal, and some ballast tanks full. She carried 3,300 tons cargo when fully laden. She had her regular crew, only one of them a "runner." The firemen and cooks were Chinamen, 23 in number. There were 25 Englishmen all told in the crew, and two pilots, a Liverpool and a Channel pilot. She answered her helm readily, and would turn round in three minutes. She had two iron decks and was in six water-tight compartments, had six boats, and fully supplied with lifeboats and belts. She had two sets of lights of the largest size. The lamp trimmer had no other business than to look after the lights; he had been six years in the service. The lights were shown from the bridge. The masthead light would be seem the full regulation distance. They burnt sperm oil in it. Captain McKinlay, who was in command, joined in 1872 as forth officer, had been 12 months in command of the Glencoe, and had previously been in command of other ships. The officers had been eight or nine years and so on in the service of the Glen Line. The Largo Bay penetrated the bow of the steamer, the plates being turned in on both bows. The angle of impact was 1 1/2 points less than a right angle. The damaged part of the stem showed that the streamer had headway across from starboard to port. The steamer was travelling 10 or 11 knots. The Times, Friday, Dec 06, 1889; pg. 3; col A Supreme Court Of Judicature. Court Of Appeal. It was clear that the Largo was properly navigated.

The Times, Thursday, Feb 07, 1889; pg. 9
Largo Bay Disaster and
John Stephens, one of the crew of the Killochan, died of exposure and immersion in the water in the collision, on Sunday night, off Dungeness between the Newcastle steamer Nereid and the Clyde ship Killochan. Charles Henry Smith, of Waterford, second mate of the ship Killochan, said the ship was on a voyage from Lyttelton, New Zealand, with a crew of 25 hands all told. They had a cargo of wheat. All went well on the voyage until Sunday last, 3 o'clock in the afternoon, they were off Beachy Head and the tug Red Rose came alongside and spoke her. She was not engaged, but she followed the vessel up. It was the witness's watch on deck...

Timaru Herald 15 Friday February 1889
Gisborne, Feb. 14 - The Union Company's steamer Australia got on the rocks, yesterday, in Waihou Bay, Oreti, near the spot where the s.s. Thomas Russell was wrecked three years ago. Captain Kemp is expected to get her off. Mrs Millan and child, of Napier and Constable Hanson, were passengers. (floated off)

The Star 29th March 1889 pg2
Wreck of the ketch Florence. Sprang a leak. Beached at Kaikoura. Crew member Henry Offor arrived at Lyttelton in the steamer Wakatu. Captain Roberts master and owner and Thomas Waller. The Florence was a wooden ketch of 51 tons register, built at Nelson in 1884 and of the following dimensions - 61ft long, 18ft 5 in beam, and 6ft 4in depth of hold. She wa snot insured and now lies on the rocks at Kaikoura.

Timaru Herald Monday 1 April 1889 pg3
Auckland, March 31
The following are the names of those lost in the wreck of the American warship Vandalia: - Captain Eschamnaker, Paymaster Arms, Lieutenant of Marines Sutton, Pay Clerk John Roach, Quartermaster William Brown, and the following seaman..... The officers and crew of the Trenton were all saved.

Timaru Herald Monday 1 April 1889 pg3 Samoa, March 16  The Star Monday April 1st.  -Death Roll.
Great Hurricane at Samoa. The barometer fell to 29.10 on Friday and on Saturday the gale set in.  Six men-of-war wrecked, 150 lives lost, on the 9th, three Germans, the Olga, Eber and Adler, and three American, the Nipsic, Trenton (flag ship) and Vandalia. The American loss is 4 officers and 87 men, the German 9 officers and 87 men. Two iron barques, one the Peter Godefroi and eleven coasters were wrecked, and four men drowned. The ill-fated vessels with all anchors down were blown on shore. Numbers of men were washed overboard. The British cruiser H.M.S. Calliope (Captain Kane) steamed out to open sea, right in the teeth of the hurricane.  The Calliope returned to harbour having successfully weathered the hurricane. A heavy sea came aboard and lifted one man off his feet and dashed him to the deck with such violence as to kill him. The Calliope is now on her way to Sydney. Only the Calliope escaped. 300 to 400 natives were sent down by Mataafa and Suemantafa under command of one of Mataafa's chiefs, and did splendid work in saving lives. They made no distinction between Germans and Americans.

Ashburton Guardian, 20 July 1889, Page 3
But though Rennie and Kane did their best,
Which none for a moment will doubt,
There was one other element playing a part
Which New Zealand folks know all about.
And 'twas this that contributed vastly
To saving on board every soul,
The fact that the great warship's bunkers
Were stored with the best Westport coal

The Star April 1 1889 [summarised]
Te Kooti's Escape from the Chathams with the three masted schooner Rifleman in 1868 (which was a Government schooner). John Martin one of the five men who manned the schooner on that day. Martin lives in Evans Bay, where he carries on business as a waterman. "We went to the Islands with a cargo of stores - sugar, flour, spices and a plough. About two o'clock two boats, with sixteen Maoris in each, came off to us, and as soon as they got alongside swarmed on the deck pretty quickly. They were armed, and sent us all aft at once. There were five of us - the mate, named Payne, and four seaman. Captain Christie had gone ashore. They tied him up on shore. They left a guard over us and went backward and forward with the whaleboats, until at least there were 203 of them - men, women and children. Just as they were finished bringing them, the schooner Florence came in, and a couple of boat loads of Maoris went off to her and ordered all the men ashore. The Maoris made sail and ran the Florence on to the rocks and tomahawked holes in her bottom. Te Kooki interpreter was a half-caste Baker, married to Te Kooti's sister. We were five days on the voyage. Landed at a place about six miles east of Gisborne. Te Kooti was a pretty well built man about 5ft 6", but had a nasty way of looking down.

Timaru Herald Friday April 1889
Gisborne April 4
The Brigantine Clansman, of Auckland, parted her anchor this afternoon, owing to the heavy sea, and was beached. She has on board 90 tons coal which will be lightened. The vessel is expected to get off. At 4 o'clock the captain and crew safely landed. The false keel and portions of her keel came ashore. A rock is under the bilge.

Timaru Herald Saturday 6 April 1889
From the Hobart Mercury
Account of the collision between the barque Dundale and H.M.S. Swinger, at Hobart:- The Dundale was drawing up to anchor about 8.15 p.m. when she ran foul of H.M.S. Swinger. Captain Cleary was piloting the barque up the river. Captain Trevena gives it as his opinion that H.M.S. Egeria and Swinger are decidedly in the fairway, and they are just in the range of the lights of the city it is most difficult to distinguish them at dark.

Timaru Herald 1 April 1889 pg3
Names of those lost in the wreck of the American warship Vandalia (37). The Nipsic lost seven seaman, named.
Timaru Herald Tuesday April 2nd 1889 The Samoa Hurricane. pg3 The Treton. The German Men-of War. The Alder, The Olga the Eber. Descriptions given for all 6 vessels.

Timaru Herald Thursday May 16 1889 pg 3 Auckland, May 13
Captain Oliver, of the Mawhera, which arrived at Russell to-day from Fiji, reports the total loss of the four masted ship Altmore at Vavu, one of the western islands of the Fiji group. The chief officer was drowned, and a boat with a number of passengers and crew was missing when the Mawhera left Levuka.

Timaru Herald Saturday May 18 1889 pg3
Sydney May 17th
News received from Singapore states that the Norwegian barque Norway, bound from Singapore to New York, had foundered on the passage, but fortunately the crew reached Mauritius safety.

Timaru Herald Saturday May 18 1889 pg3
Auckland, May 17th
The Auckland cutter Rose, owned by the master Captain Sores, went ashore at Triphens, Great Barrier, early on the morning of the 15th inst. A gale sprang up and the vessel was driven on to a rocky beach where she became a total wreck. The crew landed in the cutter's boat.

Timaru Herald Thursday 6 June 1889 pg2
Sydney, June 5
The Marine Board have cited Captain Fielding and Mr Hurley, second mate of the wrecked Fijian, to appear on Monday to show cause why their certificates should not be suspended. They took the vessel towards Tanna Island, where she struck. The board said no blame was attached to Mr Duder, the first officer.

Timaru Herald Wednesday June 19 1889
The Arawata, which was in the Lyttelton on Monday, replaces the Mawhera in the Auckland - Fiji trade, while the Mawhera will take up the Mahinapua's running in the trade between Westport and the ports on the East Coast of the Middle Island, the Mahinapua being needed to fill the vacancy made by the wreck of the Matai.

Timaru Herald Wednesday 3 July 1889 pg3
Donald Macdonald, mate of the ship Henry James, has been presented with a medal by Lloyd's committee in acknowledgement of his extraordinary exertions to rescue the crew and passengers of the ship from a desert island in the South Pacific, on which they landed after the wreck of the vessel on an unmarked coral reef. There was no water on the island and no prospect of relief, the captain called for volunteers to man a boat and to try reach Samoa, some 1,300 miles distant. Macdonald and four seaman volunteered, and reached Apia, whence assistance was sent. The privations of the voyage were fearful. One man had actually sucked his own blood; others had eaten their boots and telescope cover. Our Board of Trade bestowed silver medals on the men of the Mariposa. who merely met the boats from the island and transferred the passengers to their steamer in fine weather.

Timaru Herald Monday July 1889 pg2 Doomed.
The Danmark's Disaster given by C.A. Heupel, her purser. Summarized. 665 passengers (29 cabin passengers and the rest in steerage) and 65 crew. The shaft of the steamer had been broken at the coupling about 30ft from the propeller. The forward part of the broken end of the shaft had slipped from its socket and had been thrashing around among the timbers until the ship was splintered through to the keel. Her stern gradually sank lower. Signals of distress was seen by the steamer Missouri, Captain Murrell. The Danmark was taken in tow and the next day the vessel abandoned.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 9 July 1889
Brisbane, July 8. The steamer Port Victor, of 3000 tons, bound from Newcastle, to Batavia with a cargo of coal, ran ashore at Restoration Island.
The barque Waverley, bound from Brisbane to Bankok, China, has been totally wrecked at Percy Island, The crew were rescued.

Timaru Herald Friday 2 August 1889
Sydney, Aug. 1. Arrived steamer Lubeck, from Soma. She reports that the Auckland schooner Lancashire Lass was wrecked at Pagopago harbour, but the crew were saved.

Timaru Herald Monday 26 August 1889
Sydney, August 24
The steamer Centennial (formerly the Albion) of the Ellis line, sailed for Wellington at 9 p.m. The weather was fine and the captain and second officer were on the bridge. Off Bradley Head half way down the harbour the steam collier Kanahooka, inward bound, struck the steamer stern on. When the Kanahooka got clear it was found that water was pouring in through a big hole in the bow of the Centennial. The steamer headed for shore, but before reaching shallow water the fires were put out and the steamer sank in ten minutes. Immediately the collision occurred boats were lowered and the passengers taken off. The crew were rescued by passing steamers. The cook, who was in the forecastle at the time of the collision, crawled through the hole made by the Kanahooka and jumped into the sea. The Kanahooka's propeller struck him on the leg, inflicting a frightful gash and braking the limb. He was rescued. The following is a list of the passengers: Mesdames Sievwright, Montgomery, Kierie, Miss Sievwright (2), Johnston (2), Messrs Todin, Lewis, Thomas, Arthur, Cann, Michie, Houston, Thompson, Montgomery (2), Kierie, Johnston, Humphries, Gillespie, Walsh and Fitzpatrick. In addition to the names of the passengers the centennial had 31 in the steerage. The saloon passengers lost �80 in gold and one passenger lost all his savings and another asserts that 250 sovereigns he had hoarded, lost  Sargeant, the chief cook and Riddle the fireman are reported missing.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 27 August 1889
The Centennial was a vessel of 806 gross and 591 tons net register. She was 218 ft 3in long, 27ft 2in beam, and 15ft 4in depth of hold. She was commanded by Captain Lessing, an old and experienced trader. She was insured for �65000, in the Pacific Co. The cargo was mostly uninsured. Sargent's body has been recovered from the gally of the Centennial unmutilated.

Albion: Clipper bows, two funnels, two masts (rigged for sail), iron hull, single screw. Built 1863 by Scott & Co, Greenock for the Otago Steam Ship Co, Dunedin. 1867 laid up when the Otago S.S. Co went into liquidation and sold by the receiver to Cargills & McLean, Dunedin. 1868 owned by A. McKinnon & C.J. Hoyt, Dunedin. 1868 owned by C.J. Hoyt, New York. 1871 Taken over by the Blue Emu Line (McMeckan, Blackwood & Co), Melbourne and used on the Melbourne -Wellington - Dunedin - Nelson - Melbourne route. 1878 Taken over with the Blue Emu fleet by the Union S.S.Co. of New Zealand. 1880 chartered to the Auckland S.S.Co for their cargo service to Fiji. 1883 sold to J.C. Ellis & J.E. Mitchell, Sydney. 1887 auctioned at Sydney to Capt. T.R. Brown but repossessed by J.C. Ellis when the finance collapsed and renamed Centennial. Used in cut price competition with the Union SS Co. 23rd Aug.1889 sunk in collision with the collier Kanahooka in Sydney Harbour. [Merchant Fleets, vol.32 by Duncan Haws] [Union Fleet by Ian Farquhar, ISBN 0-959783-47-4 contains a good photo of the ship]

Timaru Herald Thursday 9 September 1889
Auckland, Sept. 8.
Captain Pye, Bruce Annesly, and six seaman of the wrecked ship Garston left for Sydney today by the ship Tarawera.

Timaru Herald Monday 30 September 1889
The Beef Barrels have also among them the bones of the s.s. Lyttelton, 86 tons, wrecked there, coal laden in December 1886. The s.s. Wallace sat on the Barrels for a time in 1895 but got off again.

Timaru Herald  Friday 11 October 1889
The ship County of Carnarvan, which is reported missing, and a board belonging to which has recently been found in Spirits Bay, North Cape, was an iron vessel of 1267 tons net register. She was built in 1877 by R. and J. Evans and Co., of Liverpool, under special survey, and was owned by Messrs W. Thomas and Co. of that port. Her class at Lloyd's was 100 A1.

Timaru Herald Saturday 12 October 1889
Official Inquiry into the Wreck of the Willie McLaren. Captain Salmon said that the vessel struck on a rock about three lengths outside the kelp, near the binnacle rock. He could have beached the vessel after he found that the pumps could not keep the water down, but the vessels bowsprit caught in the rigging of the steamer Kawatiri, which came to his assistance. Mr Henderson, chief officer. Captain Robb, the signalman at the beacon swore the vessel passed through the kelp on both sides of her. The court found the captain had committed an error in judgment by keeping in too close. Order to pay court costs, and his certificate was returned.

Timaru Herald Wednesday 16 October 1889
The schooner Cora (at one time a constant trader here) has recently been wrecked at Raratonga. The Cora was built at Auckland in 1866, and sold at Dunedin in 1871 to captain John Russell, who sailed her for some years. She afterwards changed hands, and her port of registry was altered from Dunedin to Auckland, her owner being Mr Martin Kennedy. The Cora was a vessel of 46 tons register, 65ft 5 in long, 17ft broad, with a depth of 7ft 7 in. Her official number was 52,4_7. (_?6 or 8)

The Southland Times 31st March 1890 pg 2
Perth, W.A. March 29
A severe hurricane has been experienced at King George's Sound and several coasting vessels have been wrecked, including the Undine, which until recently was one of the gunboats on the Australian station. No fatalities have been reported.

Otago Witness Thursday 10 April 1890 pg 13
Wrecked among savages at the New Hebrides - Tomahawked.
During a gale at Mallicolo the labour schooner Eliza Mary, with 79 souls on board, was wrecked. 47 natives perished. One of the natives managed to fight his way through to the missionary station and secured assistance for the remainder. The names of the Europeans drowned were: Holt, Taylor, McDonald, Sinclair and Dibbs. Those that stuck to the wreck were rescued. The ketch Adams wrecked at the same time and place and three drowned. The schooner C. Walker was wrecked at the Loyalty group but no lives were lost.

The Times, Tuesday, Jul 22, 1890
The British barque Zodiac, from Kaipara for Sydney, got ashore at Camden heads, and has been abandoned in a waterlogged condition. She will be a total loss. Her crew were picked up by the Konoowarra from Brisbane, and landed at Sydney.

The Times, Thursday, Oct 09, 1890; pg. 10 Overdue vessel.
The Dunedin, of Glasgow, which sailed from Oamaru for London on March 19 last.

The Times, Thursday, Oct 16, 1890; pg. 4
The following vessel, which has previously been refereed to as over due, was posted at Lloyd's yesterday as missing:-
The Dunedin, of Glasgow, Captain Roberts, sailing ship, 1,250 tons built in 1874, official number 68,085, which sailed from Oamaru for London with a cargo of New Zealand produce, on March 19 last.

The Star Saturday 1 April 1893
Fatal shipwreck -  The coastal steamer Ruby of the Hauraki steamship Co. fleet, was totally wrecked on the Mangawai bar, 30 miles north of Auckland, yesterday.  A man and boy were drowned,.... their names have not been ascertained.

Timaru Herald 29 Sept. 1893 page 3
Wellington, October 1. Passed 3 miles from Pencarrow Head, a quantity of wreckage and a boat bearing on her stern the words "Evelyn, Glasgow." A barque named Evelyn, of 1135 tons, and commandeered by Captain Lowe, left Newcastle for Lyttelton on the 19th September. A terrific "southerly buster" was experienced in the Straits on Friday.

Timaru Herald 3 Oct. 1893 page 3
Captain Ewen, of the Wakatipu, states that on Saturday when a few miles to the southward of Wellington Heads, he steamed through fully a mile and a half of wreckage, among which were a lifeboat painted maet colour inside., parts of deckhouse, accommodation ladder, evidently from a large ship, skylight gratings.

The barque Evelyn is an iron vessel of 1202 tons gross and 11 25 tons net register. She is commanded by Captain Lore, and left Newcastle for Lyttelton on Sept. 19th with a full cargo consisting of 1600 tons.

Timaru Herald 5 Oct. 1893 page 3
The barquentine Sedwell Jane, 188 tons, Captain Pulloch, has been totally wrecked at Algoa Bay, South Africa. She left Port Pirie on July 25 with a cargo of flour and was engaged in discharging it when a gale sprung up, and dragging anchors she was driven ashore.

Otago Witness January 11 1894 page 21
Stranding of the Jessie Redman, the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's ship, in command of Captain Burton. The vessel was loaded with a complete cargo of wool (4184) at Napier by Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co. and left Napier on Dec. 20. On Dec. 23. she took ground and was soon hard and fast at Taupeka beach on the north side of the island, and is two miles and a half from the spot where the Ocean Mail was wrecked some years ago while on a voyage from New Zealand to London. where. No lives lost. The Jessie Redman is an iron vessel of 962 tons, was built at Greenock in 1869 by Scott and Co.,

The Star Aug. 9 1894
Hobart. The barque Indiana, which was wrecked on Cape Barren, has completely broken up.

Otago Witness Thursday 28 Feb. 1895  page 14
Wanganui, Feb. 24
All hands saved. The barquentine Grace Dent, 98 tons, Captain Pughe, from Clarence river, New South Wales, and loaded with ironbark timber for the Government Railway department, went ashore at the heads on Saturday evening and is now a complete wreck. All hands, (seven in number) were saved. The pilot says he gave signals to stand off, and warned the boat of danger, but no notice was taken. At the time the boat struck (5.45) it wanted some hours to high water, which on Saturday night was at 9.26.
Feb. 25. The barquentine Grace Dent, wrecked at Wanganui, was insurance for L1000 in the North Queensland Company, L750 of which is reinsured on Sydney offices.

The Wairarapa Disaster. Melbourne, February 22 1895 
The Royal Humane Society have presented silver medals to Mr Dunlop (engineer) and Mr Kendall (steward) for their heroic conduct at the wreck of the Wairarapa.  Wreck of the Wanganui page 14

Otago Witness Thursday 7th March 1895 page 36 
Rescue by the steamer Norham Castle of the survivors of the wrecked vessel Fascadale from Java to Lisbon.

Timaru Herald July 11 Thursday 1895
Christchurch July 10
Messervie and his son, age 19, the crew of the ketch Annie, which was found water logged at the Heads yesterday, have turned up safely at Pigeon Bay. The craft is a complete wreck.

Timaru Herald July 11 Thursday 1895
Wellington July 10
The barque George Thompson, which left Kaipara on June 1st for Glasgow with a cargo of timber, put in here in distress. Feared the stern post is injured. The vessel is still leaking.

The Star 9 Aug. 1895
The steamer Catterthun struck a the Seal Rocks and sank. She had left Sydney last night for China. Passengers named.

Evening Post, 8 August 1895, Page 2
Christchurch, 7th August. The barque Thurso, which went ashore at Greymouth to-day, is the property of the New Zealand Insursance Company, in which office she is insured for �2500. The Thurso, which wa3 previously named the Lucina, was built at Sutherland in 1881. Captain Willis, the representative of the Canterbury Underwriters' Association, will leave for Greymouth to-morrow. The Thurso lies nearly alongside the north breakwater, apparently stuck in the stones. The main hold is full of water, and there are, supposed to be holes in the bottom made by the bumping on the stones. The forward compartment is dry.

The Star March 2 1896 pg 2
Wellington, Feb. 29. The ketch Reliance, was a wooden vessel of 65 tons register built at the Huon River, Tasmania, in 1875, lies in the same position as when she went ashore. The hull is not insured. A risk of 500 on the cargo.

Otago Witness 17 December 1896 page 42
Wellington, Dec. 9. The barquentine Delmira, bound from the Bluff to Malden Island in ballast, was totally wrecked off Cape Palliser last night. No lives lost. She ran on a reef off Te Kaukau, two miles from White Rock at 10 pm last night. The Delmira is an iron vessel of 338 tons. The vessel is owned by Griee, Somers, and Co., Melbourne. Captain Hutcheson saved from the wreck 250 sovereigns which he had on board to pay the labourers for loading the guano at Malden Island. She had left Bluff on Nov. 30. The coastal steamer Kahu brought Captain Hutchinson and 10 of the crew to Wellington.

Wanganui Herald, 4 January 1897, Page 2
ANOTHER SHIPPING BLUNDER.
The stranding of the R.M.S. Ruapehu on Farewell Spit on Friday evening last when within a few hours steam of her destination adds another to the long list of shipping accidents which are marked on the wreck chart of New Zealand, and by some of which so many valuable lives have been needlessly lost. In this latest case we have a powerful, well officered, efficiently-manned mail steamer running ashore in daylight on a well known sand spit, which the master should have known must be close at hand and for which a sharp look-out should have been kept. As it was not dark the light placed near the end of the Spit was not lit, but the tower should have been visible in time to have saved the vessel from stranding, if the look-out had been worth anything. There was, no doubt, the unusual haze along the shore, but nothing like a fog necessitating the slowing down of the engines and the use of the lead. Had the latter been used half an hour before the vessel stranded it would have warned the master of his approach to the Spit, and of the necessity for extreme watchfulness and caution, as the land there is so low-lying as not to be visible in hazy weather more than a few miles off. If the telegram is correct stating that the vessel ran ashore at 7 o'clock on the evening o� New Year's Bay it means that the Ruapehu was stranded in broad daylight on a well defined sand spit, which vessels are daily and nightly in the habit of passing without accident. As it was New Year's evening when the stranding occurred, it may be that the festivities of the day had been to blame in the matter, but as the affair is sub judice we must not further speculate on the cause of the accident at present, but content ourselves with the comforting thought that on this occasion there has been no loss of life such as occurred when the Tararua, Taiaroa and Wairarapa ran into the rocks whilst at full speed on dark thick nights, when it was almost impossible to see a ship's length. All these three latter cases were the result of careless, reckless navigation and possibly bad steering and it remains for the Court of Enquiry into the Ruapehu ease to say to what causes her stranding should be ascribed.

The Star. Wednesday April 21 1897 page 3
April 19. Inspector Pender received word from Martinborough that four bodies had been found on the beach at Whatarangi, Palliser Bay. Nine Bodies Recovered. 
    The ship Zuleika, bound from Dunedin to Wellington, was wrecked on Friday night about four miles west of Cape Palliser. Nine bodies have been picked up on the beach. The bodies recovered are those of the first mate, the steward, two apprentices, and five seamen. There are three men missing. The captain, the second and third mates and seven men were saved. The vessel is reported completely broken up, and the beach is strewn with wreckage....  Headstone

Timaru Herald Thursday 22 April 1897 page 3
Wreck of the Zuleika - Twelve of the crew drowned.
Wellington, April 21.
The ship Zuleika, bound from Dunedin to Wellington, was wrecked on Friday night about 4 miles west of Cape Palliser. Nine bodies have been picked u on the beach - those of the first mate, steward, two apprentices, and five seaman. There are three missing. The captain, second and third mates, and seven seaman saved. After 11 o'clock on Friday night land was sighted on the port bow near Palliser Bay. A strong gale was blowing, and the captain seeing the vessel was in danger gave orders to wear ship, and she was in the act of wearing when she struck. Waves dashed over the ship. Lifebelts were served out. Many of the men who were able to swim struck out for shore. Those who were unable to swim clung to pieces of wreckage, but were soon washed away. Others who could swim were stunned by cases which were being tossed about, and were washed ashore dead, battered and bruised almost beyond recognition. Twelve men were drowned, viz.:The wreck occurred in Palliser Bay, about four miles from the lighthouse. The ship ran bow first on to rocks.

Blake 			A.B. aged 30
Gallon 			A.B. aged 54*
Graham 	Herbert 	first mate aged 28
Jones 			A.B. aged 52
McKay 			A.B. aged 20. He shipped at Port Chalmers where his parents reside.
Petitite 		steward aged 28
Struock 		apprentice aged 18*
Summers Walter 		apprentice aged 17
Swanson William 	A.B. aged 26
Williams 		cook aged 27*
Wilson 	George 		A.B. aged 45
* not washed ashore
The only married men drowned were Wilson and Gallon.

Those who escaped are nine in number, namely
Anderson Peter 		A.B.
Bellitt Archibald 	apprentice
Bremner 		Captain
Haserke Adolphe 	carpenter
Keen 	William 	A.B.
Karson 	Thomas 		apprentice
Lane 	William 	2nd mate
Lisson  William 	A.B.
Malven 	Eugene 		A.B.

Star Friday 23 April 1897
The Tutanekai left Palliser Bay with coffins in which to place the victims of the Zuleika wreck. The Rev. H.E. Tuckey was a passenger, having consented to go and read the funeral service. Mr Morley, from the firm of Briscoe, Macneil and Co., and Mr Carter, of H.M. Customs, also went away in her, for the purpose of arranging for the recovery of some of the cargo. Mr Eraia, the Maori who owns the land, has given sufficient ground for the burial of the dead, and has undertaken to erect a tombstone if one is sent down. The steamer Tutanekai took the coffins to the scene of the wreck of the Zuleika to-day, and eight of the victims were buried in one grave. The ninth body, that of Alexander McKay, will be forwarded to Port Chalmers.

The Star. Wednesday April 21  1897 page 3
The steamer Anglian arrived in Gisborne, at 8.30 p.a. on 20th April 18977 with the shipwrecked crew of the Pirate, bound for Newcastle to Gisborne, wrecked on Portland Island in the gale on Friday morning. Captain Steinbock reports the vessel left Newcastle on March 25. She struck the gale on Friday April 9th. The mate, C. Morberg, had one of his legs jammed, which laid him up for the rest of the voyage. The cook, G. Watkinson, got one of his shoulders dislocated. We sighted the Napier light on April 14th. Suddenly the land and breakers appeared out of the fog on our lee. Nothing could be done but to beach the vessel. The Pirate is lying head on to the beach, and is washed up high and dry at low water. Her spars are still standing, her back is broken, the stern-post and rudder gone, and the sheathing is clawed away, the tide flowing in and out of her. As we were going to leave the vessel, one of the seaman, Karl Berner, a native of Germany, suddenly dropped dead on deck. He was lowered into a boat and after an inquest had been held in the afternoon, was buried on the island. He died from failure of the heart. We were treated with kindness by the lighthouse keepers, who gave assistance getting the perishable gear out of the vessel. The Pirate is owned by Mr George Nicol, of Auckland, and a fine boat, two years old.

Otago Witness 24 March 1898 pg 46
Wanganui, March 15 - The barquentine St. Kilda, from the West Coast of the South Island with a cargo of coals, went ashore outside the heads late this afternoon. She was nearing the entrance, when the wind suddenly dropped and the vessel failed to answer he helm. A portion of her cargo is being jettisoned.
March 16- The St. Kilda was last night blown up on the beach by a gale. She is valued at 1500.

The Star October 4 1898 page 1
Wreck of the Mapourika

May 1899
Wreck of the Union Steam Ship Co. of N.Z. "Tekapo" at Maroubra Bay

Otago Witness Thursday 5 January 1899 page 31 col b
Hobart, Dec. 28.
The Union Company's s.s. Yolla was wrecked in a dense fog. She sank in 15 minutes. There is no hope of salvage. Thirty head of cattle were thrown overboard and drowned.

Timaru Herald Friday 14 July 1899
The ship City of York, captain Jones bound from San Francisco to Fremantle went ashore at Rottenest Island last night. The barque Carlyle Castle bound from Liverpool to Fremantle, was totally wrecked at Rockingham during the night. There is no trace of survivors.

Timaru Herald  Wednesday August 1899
A Cheviot correspondent to the Lyttelton Times  writes - The ketch Maud Graham, which went ashore at Port Robinson, last week, is rapidly breaking up. The heavy seas caused the vessel to part amidships, and the masts have both been washed out of her. Very little cargo has come ashore.

Timaru Herald  Saturday 4 November 1899 pg
Wreck of the Hesketh at Greymouth. Captain Black. Struck by three rollers. Sea after sea drove the vessel on the bank on the north beach.

Timaru Herald Monday 6 November 1899
The Wreck of the Pleiades
Crew and officers were brought to Wellington by the steamer Himitangi. They were twenty in number. On Tuesday dangerously close to land but all efforts to wear her were unavailing and as she was slowly drifting ashore before a heavy gale Captain Burton run her ashore in order to save lives. The first mate from the rigging directed the steersman in to a small piece of sandy beach in Akitlo Bay and at 8 a.m. the vessel was ashore in an upright position. It was by the merest bit of luck that the vessel missed the reef which runs out from Akitlo, and on which the sea was breaking with great fury. They were treated with most hospitably at Handyside station. Saved all their personal effects. She is high and dry forward, only her stern is in the water. Rigging intact. The Pleiades's officers are:_ Chief mate, Mr Haley; second mate, Mr Gilling; apprentices, Wilson, Morrison, Leng and Keily.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 12 December 1899
The steel ship, Fort Stuart, from Middlesborough, for Calcutta, has been abandoned at sea. The crew saved. She was 2435 tons gross register, built in 1892, and owned by Messrs Stuart and Douglas, of Liverpool. The ship was valued at �18,500, and was insured with London companies and at Lloyd's.

Timaru Herald Tuesday 12 December 1899
The boat crew of the Tekoa, consisted of the second officer, Mr Barnes, and four seaman, struck in the Straits of la Marie, was rescued by the British barque Gifford.

The weather is still very dirty.

---

Not all the ships carrying immigrants to New Zealand actually reached their destination.

1900s

Otago Witness Thursday 5 April 1900 page 18 
Wreck of the Glenelg a coasting steamer, bound from Melbourne to Gippsland Lakes. Includes list of crew and passengers.

Timaru Herald 31 Dec. 1900
A Maori named Sidney Hoekau was drowned on Friday afternoon at Cape Egmont. A party of four Maoris were fishing in a canoe; Hoekau was steering, fell overboard, the canoe filled and capsized, but the others reached the shore safely.

Otago Witness 17 April 1901 pg 69
The Wreck of the City of Rio De Janeiro at the entrance of San Francisco.

The Star 16 June 1902 pg3
Auckland, June 16
The Mawhera, when wrecked, was engaged in her usual cruise, picking up cargo for Tahiti. Late at night she ran on a reef at Apataki. Captain John Dawson was in command. The steamer was full of water and her funnel gone.

The Star 19 June 1902
A supposed Wreck. Auckland, June 19th
The wreckage found on the beach in the far north was not the timber-laden King Oscar II, which recently left Kaipara. The flotsam on the beach must have been in the water for a considerable time, as it is barnacled. The wreckage found may be from the barque Decima, 793 tons, owned by J. Bang, of Glasgow, which left Kaipara on December 12 last year, with 528,000 feet of kauri flitches, loaded by the Kauri Timber Company for London, and not yet heard of, though 188 days out.

Otago Witness 29 March 1905 pg40
The auxiliary schooner Emma Simms went ashore at Karamea, near Westport on March 19th.

Marguerite Mirabaud, French barque wrecked on Akatore Beach in South Otago while on voyage from Hobart to Tahiti with a load of wine for the French Navy. The vessel came ashore on February 17th 1907 in thick fog and eventually broke up. A local Milton photographer Joseph Bremner took some remarkable photos showing the wreck, the crew, views on board the vessel, shots of the auctioning off of salvaged items and the eventual demise of the vessel to provide a unique record of the shipwreck.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 14 June 1907, Page 5
AUCKLAND, June 13. The following message was received by the Inspector of Police at 8.30 tonight : The Kia Ora, on her journey from Waitara to Onehunga, was wrecked about 30 miles down the coast, between Kawhia and Mokau, and Captain Blacklock and two passengers (Forbes and Ross, of Hawera) were drowned. The captain went down with the ship. The Kia Ora was wrecked 20 miles beyond Kawhia on a very rough and inaccessible coast. There are 27 survivors ashore, and they are without food or shelter. The settlers have gone to their assistance with food. The sea is too rough for a boat to leave Kawhia. Constable McCarthy is leaving for the scene. The track is through rough and broken country.  The Kia Ora was a steel steamer of the following dimensions: � Length, 121 ft; breadth, 23ft ; depth, 11.9 ft tonnage, 307. The steamer was built at Glasgow in 1897. The survivors of the Kia Ora, who arrived at Kawhia, yesterday, were scantily clad and mostly badly hurt. Lester, second engineer, has a broken bone in the- right foot. Baggstrom, chief engineer is severely bruised, having been caught in the rigging and dragged under when the steamer went down. Mr Partridge, a passenger, had one leg broken and his back hurt, and he is suffering internal and ether injuries. Mrs Cox, 67 years of age, was .badly cut about the face, and is suffering severely from hardship and exposure.

Otago Witness, 19 June 1907, Page 32
AUCKLAND, June 17. After careful inquiry, the manager of the Northern Steamship Company has come to the conclusion that only three persons were drowned at the wreck of the Kia Ora. The Northern Company has received information that the Muritai has rescued the remaining survivors of the Kia Ora. After landing her passengers at Kawhia the Muritai proceeds to Onehunga with the rest of the crew, arriving there tonight. The following members of the passengers and crew of the Kia Ora were taken to Kawhia to-day: � Mrs Cox, Mr and Mrs Kavanagh. Mr Lastridg, Messrs Baggstrom and Lister (engineers), de Wolff (mate)', Robinson (second mate) Miss Kellar (stewardess), Messrs Peterson (chief; steward), De Kolla (cook's boy), Johnson (cabin boy), and Andrews (A.B.).  Messrs Pratt, Barraclough, Hirdson, and Lush walked to Kawhia, and Mr and Mrs M'lntosh and two children went overland. Kirchaku, a Maori passenger 's staying at a shearer's farm.

Otago Witness, 17 July 1907, Page 36
WELLINGTON, July 15. News has been received that the barque Woollahra, 942 tons, which left Wellington yesterday bound for Kaipara and Sydney, is ashore in the vicinity of Terawhiti. She struck the rocks about 300 yards off the shore during a heavy rainstorm at midnight. The lifeboat was swung out, but ! was smashed by a falling mast. On the advice of Captain Andresen the officers and crew stuck to the ship for some time. At the end of four hours all on board, with the exception of the captain and two able seamen named M'Naughton and King, left the ship in the dingey, which came to grief on a rock about 100 yards off the beach. Some of the men swam from there to shore, taking with "them a rope, by means of which the others were hauled ashore.  Subsequently King and M'Naughton jumped overboard and started to swim to the beach. King landed safely, but M'Naughton stopped on the rock halfway, and has not been seen since. The captain declined to leave the vessel, but it is not yet known whether he is still alive. Two of the men, Parsonson and M'Phee, walked to Island Bay from the scene of the wreck. Just before the men took to the boats the spanker gaff was carried away. When the boat was successfully lowered everybody on board got into her excepting the captain and two A.B.s (M'Naughton and King), who stayed on board with the captain. The latter was urged by the men to abandon the wreck, but he could not be persuaded to do so. He declared that he would stick to the barque to the last. The following were the men who got into the dingey so far as Parsonson and M'Phee could remember: � Foote (chief officer), Gouch (second mate), Jorgeneen, Mylius, Dixon, Moore, Parsonson, M'Phee, and another A.B., the cook, two boys (Joynt and Felton), and the cabin boy. The dingey, after getting over about 200 yards of water, struck on an inner reef. The men who could swim landed on the beach, which was about 100 yards away, and those who could not swim clambered on to the rocks. A line was passed from the scene of the dingey's wreck to the store, and all hands then got to the beach. THE BARQUE. The Woollahra was an iron barque of 974 tons, built at Sutherland in 1875 by Messrs Osbourne, Graham, and Co. She was owned by the Woollahra Ship Company of Sydney, and her principal dimensions were: �length, 202 ft 4in; beam, 33ft 6in; depth, 20ft 4in. The wrecked barque was a well known Australasian trader, and had just completed discharge of a cargo of Newcastle coal for S. Brown (Ltd.). She was on her way to Australia, via Kaipara, to load another cargo of coal for Wellington.

Evening Post, 15 August 1907, Page 7
HOBART, 14th August. The steamer Kawatiri has been wrecked at Macquarie Harbour, at the same spot where the Grafton was lost. Six persons were drowned, including the stewardess. The Kawatiri struck the breakwater a 6 midnight, while attempting to enter the heads. The night was dark and very stormy, with a high sea running. The steamer was en route from Hobart. When entering Macquarie Harbour a tremendous tide was running at the heads, and this, combined with a heavy westerly gale, carried the steamer on to the breakwater wall. The impact shook the vessel from stem to stern, and the bow was stove in. In a short time the fore part was filled with water. After striking, the ship appears to have heeled over, and now lies on the northern end of the spit, embedded in the sand, and with the seas breaking over her. Only a portion of the bridge and the masts show above water. There were over forty passengers on board. The drowned include Mrs. Hooper and her two children, the stewardess (Mrs. Hodnett), and two children in arms belonging to Mesdames Grundy and Tennant respectively. Mrs. East, a passenger, was badly bruised while landing. The stewardess (Mrs. Hodnett) was the oldest stewardess in the Australian trade. She spent most of her life between Melbourne and Tasmanian ports. Mrs. Hooper was the wife of an assistant at the lighthouse.
OTHER WRECKS AT MACQUARIE. The following is a list of vessels wrecked at Macquarie Harbour during recent years : �
Brigantine Seabird, on 12th December, 1891.
Brigantine Circe, on 21st February, 1892.
Steamer Devon, on 19th September, 1894.
Steamer Grafton, on 12th June, 1898.
Annie Macdougall, schooner, on 5th August, 1898.
She arrived in New Zealand in 1883, and with the Waretea and Orowaiti was employed by the Westport Coal Company for some years. The Union Company purchased the three vessels and after some more years service on the New Zealand coast they were sent to Tasmania. For the past ten years the Kawatiri had been running in the Hobart, Strahan, and Melbourne trade. At latest advices she was under the command of Captain R. Crawford, formerly chief officer of the Moeraki. The Macquarie Harbour bar is very dangerous in heavy north-west weather. It is several hundred feet wide. On its westward side the breakwater (a rubble wall half a mile long). The Union Company's steamer Grafton, which traded out of Wellington for a great many years, was wrecked at the entrance to Macquarie Harbour about ten years a go.

The Times, Wednesday, Jan 22, 1908; pg. 17
One of J. Leslie's ships, which work with the Shaw Savill boats, Hinemoa, is ashore near Lorne, while on the voyage from Adelaide to Melbourne. She is 2,28s tons, built in 1890, and valued at 15,000

Otago Witness 18 March 1908 pg38
Auckland March 11 1908
When the scow Moonah, inward-bound with coal from Ngungura, and owned by the Northern Coal Company, passed North Head at 10 p.m., and was running up the fairway before a steady breeze, suddenly out of the background of lights there came a red and green of the Wairuna's lights, the vessel coming directly down on the scow, and the steel bow crushing forward and down into the wooden hull, cutting the scow almost in half and sinking her in two or three minutes. 5 crew. Missing Fred Smith, aka by his mates as Tokerau Fred, from the name of the craft he formerly sailed in. He was a single man, and lived in a boarding-house in Hobson-street. Captain Silva suffered a fractured leg and lost a lot of blood from the wound caused by the spoke of the wheel. An A.B. named Sterling had been thrown from the sailer to the steamer and suffered back injuries. The Wairuna headed back up the harbour, and the men were landed at the man-of-war steps, Quay street, by Captain Robinson, master. Dr Parkes was sent for. After ascertaining that his vessel was undamaged Captain Robinson put her on her course again and resumed the voyage to Newcastle. The wreck of the Moonah was found and she had a 10ft wide gash near the stern.

Otago Witness 18 March 1908 pg33
Auckland, March 10
The cutter Kathleen Maud, bound from Auckland to Tairua with a general cargo, was totally wrecked at Kennedy Bay early yesterday morning. Captain Chapman and the crew of two reached shore with difficulty. The cutter had put into the bay for shelter from the gale, but was driven upon the rocks and smashed up.

Otago Witness 8 April 1908 page 44
The schooner yacht White Wings was driven ashore during the recently southerly gale at Evan's Bay, Wellington

The Star Monday 8th 1908 pg 2
Sydney, May 8
The crew of the barque Bjorne, wrecked on Surprise Island, have arrived Sunday.

The Times, Saturday, Nov 28, 1908; pg. 12 
The New Zealand's Company's steamer Tongariro, which was outward bound, which was in collision with the Liverpool steamer Drumlanrig which was on her way to Hamburg for Buenos Ayres, off the Goodwin lightship yesterday morning. At Dover they saw rockets fired. Boats were sent. The bow of the Tongariro was torn open and the forepart of the vessel was apparently full of water, as she was down in the head. The Drumlanrig was damaged on the portside just abaft of the bridge, where a breach was made and plating was ripped away for many feet. The lifeboats were made ready on the Tongariro. The Dover tug Lady Curzon succeeded in getting a hawser on board the Drumlanrig. The fog was dense when they reached Dover Harbour. The Drumlanrig was towed ashore in a sinking condition. The tug Lady Crundall rendered aid to the New Zealand liner, and it was found necessary to tow her ashore also. The Tongariro, one of the monthly mail steamers which carry a large quantity of cargo, had her full complement of 30 first, 64 second and 157 third-class passengers. 

The Times, Monday, Jul 05, 1909; pg. 13
Collision in Channel
During a dense fog one of the New Zealand's Shipping Company's steamers, Whakatane, London for Auckland, was damaged in a collision with a French steamer of about 1,200 tons, the Circe of Caen. The Whakatane left London for New Zealand at 1 a.m. yesterday and in addition to her passengers and mails she had some valuable horses on board. She was truck on the starboard side and her engine-room filled with water. The Circe and another steamer took her in tow, but, the cables parting left her. Five tugs at last went to the assistance of the Whakatane, which arrived at Dover at 8.30 last night in tow. She was very badly down in the stern. The tugs Gladiator, Warrior and Unterweser were towing her, the tug Lady Vita was steering her, and the tug Lady Chrundall, was lashed to her portside with her powerful salvage plant pumping full bore, throwing 8000 tons of water an hour from the holds. The Danish salvage steamer Valkyrien was also in attendence. The liner had her boats towing astern. The tug Hull was also assisting and a tramp steamer was standing by. The whole crew were mustered in the forepart of the liner. At Dover Harbour by a quarter to 9 she was beached to the east of the Prince of Wales Wharf. The damage appears to be practically all below the water-line.

Otago Witness, 23 September 1908, Page 53
The Loch Lomond left Newcastle on July 16th with a cargo of coal for Lyttelton.
Advices just to hand confirm the report, that the vessel was commanded by Captain J. Thomson, who was placed in command when the vessel was purchased in Melbourne by the Union Company. The remainder of the ship's company were:
John Court, first officer;
John Jathieson, second mate;
J. McCoffert, carpenter
John Miller, E. Waddingfon, O. Brierly, J. Blanche, J. Jones, T. Guery, John McVicar, E.Stenson, J. McKay, M. D. Harrison, E. Roche, E. Reid, Norman Rawitt, seamen;
I H. Cooper, cook
A. Young, cabin boy.
The ship dimensions are: �
Gross tonnage, 1249: net register. 1200: length. 226.8ft ; beam 35 ft : depth of hold 21.5 ft.
She was built in 1870 by J. G. Lawrie, of Glasgow. There was a cargo of about 1600 tons of coal aboard her when she left Newcastle, and was well trimmed, so that any mishap which might have occurred would not appear to be due to the shifting of coal through faulty loading. Captain Thomson has visited New Zealand before in charge of other vessels, having been here as master of the barque Woollahra and a schooner running between New Zealand and Tasmania, and is regarded as being an experienced mariner.

Evening Post, 3 November 1908, Page 8
Captain Gregory, of the steamer Wanaka, has identified part of the wreckage found on the west coast, south of Cape Maria Van Diemen, as belonging to the barque Loch Lomond. A lifebuoy from the missing Loch Lomond had been picked up near the Great Barrier Island. October 15. Yesterday afternoon the steamer Ripple returned to Lyttelton from the Chatham Islands, and on arrival Capt. J. B. Allsop informed the shipping reporter of the Press that some days before his vessel called at the Islands a quantity of wreckage, evidently from a sailing vessel which had met with disaster, was washed ashore. The wreckage consisted of a teak wood skylight, about seven feet in length, with brass gratings attached, and a portion of a broken spar painted white. Captain Allsop said he thought the spar was a portion of the spanker boom of a sailing ship.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 28 November 1908, Page 5
The s.s. Apamri, which arrived at Auckland to-day, brought the name board of the missing barque Loch Lomond. The wreckage was picked up at Ranganui Bay, 29 mile's' south-east of North Cape. The word "Loch" is missing, but "Lomond" appears on the board, which is 10ft in length. The Scotch Thistle is also painted on the board. There is no doubt that the wreckage belongs to the Loch Lomond. A bucket bearing the letters "o-c-h" was also seen between Cape Maria and Scott's Point on the West Coast. The first wreckage was found about 30 miles south of Cape Maria on the West Coast on October 17. The finder subsequently found a ship's door with a hole cut in the centre and a compass lashed in with a fishing line. Some deck-house panels are also stated to be ashore near Hukatere, on the Ninetymile Beach. A door, which might be a companion-way door, is also said to have been found in the direction of Cape Reinga.

The Times, Friday, Aug 06, 1909; pg. 12;
Loss Of A New Zealand Liner
 The steamer Maori was one of the regular big cargo carries of the Shaw, Savill and Albion fleet  was outward bound from Barrow and London to New Zealand. She was very largely loaded with steel rails, has wrecked between Cape Town and Cape Point. Six of the crew have been drowned. The crew numbered 54. The Maori was wrecked at Slangkop Point, south of Table Bay, about 34 miles from Cape Town. The Maori left Cape Town on Wednesday night at 11:40 pm on the 5th August in heavy sea and struck Duika Point an hour later. Her commander was Captain Nicole, one of the oldest officers in the company. The Maori was a steel screw steamer, with a tonnage of 5,317, and was built in 1893 by Messrs. C.S. Swan and Hunter, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Valued at �40,000.  The liner struck rocks off the coast at a spot distant some 40 minutes' steaming from Cape Town. The six bodies washed ashore. The crew all took to the boats as soon as it became clear that the steamer's position was hopeless.  In three lifeboats, which afterwards separated.  No. 1 boat commanded by the captain, was soon lost in the darkness. No. 3 boat fouled while being launched and its occupants clambered back to the Maori's poop and tried to lower another boat. The chief's officer's boat attempted to land at dawn, but was caught in the surf and wrecked, with the result that six of the 15 occupants were drowned. Fisherman perceived 12 men clinging to the wreck. The successfully took off two, Middleton and O'Brien, but two others drowned while coming ashore. The rocket apparatus arrived overland. The Maori is a total wreck. Her back is broken. Chief Officer A.C. Reed and the following men, Robert Keenan, fifth engineer, George Stewart, boatswain, Walter Yates, messroom steward. James Stillwell and Jack Munns, able-bodied seaman, Joseph Brown, a greaser, John Holmes and Harry Melton, firemen, landed safely. The following bodies have been recovered: Hutchison, refrigerating engineer, and Devvirs, a greaser. The Maori is breaking up. No passengers were on board.  She was carrying cargo from Cape Town to Port Chalmers.  Fourteen men were found on the wreck including F.S. Marwood, second engineer and J.F. Bowler, fourth engineer, of whom two named Attridge and Gladman were drowned during the rescue operations. A violent storm has been raging ever since the wreck took place.  29 crew accounted for, of those 21 saved and 8 drowned.  34 crewmen missing.

The Times, Monday, Jul 08, 1912; pg. 18;
The large British steamer Star of Canada had dragged her anchors during a gale at Gisborne, New Zealand, and was ashore in a serious position. The vessels had a quantity of frozen meat on board. A Tyser Line vessel. The Court of Inquiry completely exonerated the captain and officers and freed them from the costs of the inquiry. The vessel is fixed between the ridges of a reef of rocks, and that the forward part is submerged. She is partly waterbourne, the stern overhanging for a distance of 200ft. The vessel is strained abreast of the foremast, and her deck and beams are set up for a length of 20ft forward. The hull is damaged below the water-line. 
The cargo now discharged consists of 71 tons of lead, 1,300 bales of wool, 20 bales of skins, 116 bales of leather, 42,000 sheep and lamb carcases, 600 quarters of beef, 820 packages of kidneys, 15 cases of meat extract, 1,000 cases of tallow, 8,000 bags of grain, 155 cases of soap extract, and a motor-car. Arrangement have been made for sending to its destination that portion of the cargo which is fit for reshipment by the Tyser Line steamer MARITAI and the Star Line steamer STAR OF SCOTLAND.  Museum

The Times, Wednesday, Aug 27, 1913 pg 10
Violent wintry weather, coupled with the fact that the ship was light, no doubt had much to do with the wreck of the British steamer Devon, on Pencarrow Point, Wellington Head, on Monday. The Devon had discharged her "off season" cargo from Montreal at Melbourne; Sydney and Auckland, and at the time of the disaster had only about 1.300 tons of merchandise on board for Wellington, Lyttelton and Port Chalmers. Of this about half was paper on reels, 130 tons consisted of iron piping, and the remainder comprised the rough wooden and other goods which Montreal ships for New Zealand. The hull is valued at 40,000, of which 38,000 only is payable in the event of a total loss. After great difficulty the crew was landed. The bottom was torn from the engine-room to the stern and the ship is full of water. The Devon, a vessel of 6,059 tons, built in 1897, of the Federal Fleet, in the business in the Australasian trade,

The Times, Monday, Sep 29, 1913; pg. 12
Wreck Of A Valuable Vessel.
Telegrams from Dunedin on Saturday reported the serious stranding, on mile from Otago Heads, on September 27, of the large steamer Tyrone. The propeller was gone and No. 3 hold was full of water. The Tyrone called at Lyttelton and was loading for the Pacific Coast of North America. She is a twin-screw vessel of 6,664 tons, built by Workman Clark and Company in 1901, and is valued at  �110,000. The Tyrone was originally known as the Drayton Granage, and was lately acquired by the New Zealand Shipping Company (?Union Steamship Company of New Zealand) in the course of their policy of expansion, and renamed, together with three other similar vessels acquired, after an Irish county. The Tyrone, a fine refrigerated steamer,  went ashore in fog. That is the most favourable explanation that could be offered in mitigation of the accident, for fog covers a multitude of shipping disasters. Now the engine room and hold No. 1 and 2 were full of water.

The Times, Saturday, Aug 29, 1914; pg. 5
The Kaipara was reported to have been sunk by the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse before the German boat was herself sunk by H.M.S. Highflyer. The Kaipara was mainly a cargo carrier of 7,392 tons, built in 1903, and valued at about �92,000. She was carrying over 72,000 carcasses of mutton, New Zealand dairy produce, and only a little wool. Cargo worth c. �200,000. 

The Times, Sunday, Sep 06, 1914; pg. 4 The End Of The Armed Liner. Eye-Witness's Account
The Kaipara  crew 69 all told arrived in London from Las Palmas on the s.s. Inanda. Mr Hubert Wilde, Chief Officer said that the Kaipara left New Zealand on August 12, and when we got to Montevideo we were informed that Russia, France and Germany were at war. A couple of days after we received a wireless message from Glasgow requesting us to avoid all trade routes, dim the brilliancy of our lights and to avoid bunkering if possible. From Cape Frio onwards we avoided all the trade routes and did not sight a ship until the morning of the 16th, when about 7 o'clock we observed a four funnelled steamer, which turned out to be the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse. She hailed us, and we started to use our wireless. The commander of the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse then came along and shouted through a megaphone, "If you use your wireless I will use my guns." A boat was then put off from the German vessel, and a captain-lieutenant and a second lieutenant with a boat boarded the Kaipara. They smashed up our wireless apparatus, placed explosives in the stoke-hold, and ordered everyone to leave the ship. The whole of the Kaipara's crew thereupon manned the boats, and were placed on board the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse as prisoners of war. We had scarcely left our ship when the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse opened fire on her. It took about an hour and half to sink her, and during that time 53 shots were fired. It was about 12.30 that the good old ship sank.

While the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse was coaling at Las Palmas we heard the boatswain piping and the men rushed up on deck. A petty officer who spoke English remarked to me, "You'll be all right by-and-by. I think it is an English cruiser. At 2.30 the captain-lieutenant came to us and said, "Gentleman, you will please go to the collier at once. A British cruiser is going to open fire. "We got what clothes we could and jumped aboard the collier Arucas. Orders were also given to a large number of officers and men of the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse to board the colliers. They did so, and as they jumped from the liner many of them threw their arms into the sea. Suddenly the British cruiser, the Highflyer, opened fire, and the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse replied. The Arucas was still fast to the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse, and the shells whizzed over our heads. I took charge of the wheel to the collier for a time, and gradually we moved away from the doomed vessel. The Arucas was about 11 miles away when the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse sank, so that we did not see her go down. The Arucas made for Las Palmas, where we joined the Inanda.

The Times, Thursday, Aug 31, 1916; pg. 3 New Zealand Liner Wrecked. 
Steamer Tongariro struck Bull Rock, off Portland Island, Hawke's Bay between 7 and 8 to -night (30th Aug.) Sinking condition. Steamers Westralia and Arahura left at 8 p.m. for the scene. The Tongariro left London on June 28 for New Zealand in the New Zealand Shipping Company's mail and passenger service. She is of 8,895 tons, built by Hawthorn, Leslie, and Co. in 1901. She had arrived at Auckland, and at the time when she struck was on her way down the New Zealand coast to Wellington, Lyttelton and Port Chalmers, with about two-thirds of her original cargo on aboard (7,5000 tons, she had discharged 2,000 tons of cargo at Auckland). The hull was insured for 81,000. Total insurances to about 700,000.
    Friday, Sep 01, 1916. The liner was still on the rock, with holds Nos. 1, 2 and 3 and the engine room full of water. All the ship's company had landed with the exception of the captain, who remained by the vessel. Captain Makepeace, was in command. He was in command of the Kaipara, which just two years ago was sunk by the German auxiliary cruiser Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse.

Otago Witness of 28 November 1917
Sinking of Union Steamship Company vessel Aparima - torpedoed in the English Channel. 58 missing.

Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) Tuesday 15 April 1919 Page 7
Barque Wrecked
Monday. Messrs Booth and Company, of Christchurch, have been advised that the wooden barque Albert, which left Timaru on January 24, laden with tallow and leather, has been wrecked on the Californian coast. The vessel is reported to be a total loss. The cargo, valued at about �35,000, was insured with American underwriters.

The Times, Friday, Jun 02, 1922; pg. 8
The Wiltshire, a steel twin-screw five masted insulated cargo steamer of 12,169 tons gross, built by John Brown and Co., Limited at Clydebank in 1912 and owned by the Federal Steam Navigation Company, Limited was driven ashore during a terrific easterly gale with blinding driving rain. She was swept by mountainous seas, which dashed against the precipitous cliffs of the inhabited shore of Rosalie Bay. The vessel broke in two and the after part disappeared in the after. The crew assembled on the fore part, the Auckland tug Arahura approached the wreck, at great peril, but was beaten by the waves. Late yesterday afternoon a life line drifted ashore from the wreck and four men landed. She carried 8,750 tons of general cargo. She had loaded at Avonmouth, Glasgow, and Liverpool, which last port she left on April 22. At the time of the disaster she was inward bound to Auckland. The Wiltshire was in command of Captain Hayward, the Commodore of the Federal Steam Navigation Company, which trades regularly between the United Kingdom and Australian ports. Besides the captain, the Wiltshire carried four navigating officers and ten engineers. Three wireless operators were on board. The total ship's company was 103. 

The Times, Saturday, Jun 03, 1922; pg. 8
The Wiltshire Liner's Crew Saved. Gallant Work Of Rescuers., Two Day's Fearful Ordeal. Twelve had been landed when parties from the tug Katoa and the cruiser Philomel arrived with better apparatus. It was then possible to save four men in six minutes, and this rate of rescue was maintained until the last Wiltshire man was safely on the cliffs. The relief parties had worked to the limit if endurance and happily no one was injured. Thirty of the crew are camping over night under rain-sodden trees, as the tracks across the island are impassable in the darkness. Others are housed on the steamers. Captain Hayward was on the bridge when the vessel struck. Suddenly the look-out crow's nest shouted, "Breakers ahead."

The Times, Monday, Jun 26, 1922; pg. 7;
Wrecked Wiltshire Liner Verdict. Captain Hayward made two errors of judgement - the first in proceeding at full speed for an hour after the expected time for picking up the Cuvier Light, and the second, in his failure to accept the notification of danger from soundings. 

The Times, Saturday, Apr 14, 1928; pg. 19
The Norwegian whaling steamer C.A. Larsen, which went ashore at the entrance to Patterson Inlet, Stewart Island, N.Z. on February 21, had arrived at Port Chalmers, under her own steam. The cost of repairs has been estimated at �25,000.

The Times, Tuesday, Dec 24, 1929; pg. 12
The New Zealand Liner Wreck Feared Total Loss Of Pictures 
The cargo of the liner Manuka, which was wrecked at Long Point (between the extreme south of the South Island and Dunedin) on the 16th December, while taking a collection of modern British paintings to New Zealand, is now being washed ashore. They were intended for a New Zealand exhibition. Two of the pictures, of one is only slightly damaged, have been recovered. The consignment was uninsured from Melbourne to New Zealand and was valued at 25,000. Works not yet heard of include Sir William Orpen ("Resting on the Somme" ), Sir George Clausen, Mr Arnesby Brown (4), Mr Russell Flint (9), Mr Frank Brangwyn, Mr Davis Richter, Mr Julius Olsson, Sir David Murray, Mr Nevinson, Dame Laura Knight (6), Mr Harold Knight (2), Mr Harry Watson (2)  Henry Hebert La Thangue, a painter of rural scenes, died on the 21 Dec. 1929.  Two of his paintings have been salvaged from the wreck along with two paintings by Mr Sydney Thompson, one by Sir Herbert Highes-Stanton, one by Mr Algernon Talmage, one by Mr Harold Speed and one by Mr Lamorna Birch. The La Thangue paintings and the Sir William Orpen's "Resting on the Somme" were insured.. Passengers and crew were saved.  She was bound from Melbourne to Wellington. A vessel of 4,534 tons, built in 1903. The passenger and cargo liner Manuka, belonged to the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand was a total lost. Insured for �50,000. The accident happened in dense fog near the Nuggets, 67 miles south of Dunedin. No. 1 and No. 2 hold. stokehold flooded. Harold Amos was the sixth engineer.

The Times, Wednesday, Feb 14, 1951
An air and sea search failed to find the yacht Argo, missing with her crew of six in the race from Wellington to Lyttelton. The wreckage of the yacht Husky came ashore and the crew of four are presumed lost.

BBC. co.uk Inside Out - West: Monday September 12, 2005
The SS South Australian was one of the most important vessels of its time - the QE2 of its generation. The luxurious clipper was a composite ship, with a wooden hull and an iron frame. It was a forerunner of iron ships like Brunel's SS Great Britain. It sank in the Bristol Channel, not far from Lundy island, on Valentine's Day in 1889. It was carrying a cargo of railway lines from Cardiff to Argentina. Divers have been exploring the wreck site for some months, but only now are they able to say with any certainty that they've found the SS South Australian. The site is extremely difficult to reach because the wreck is lying 50 metres below the surface of the water - at the extremes of where humans can reach. The divers managed to find the ship's anchor chain, as well as part of the hull and some of the cargo of railway sleepers.

Catlins Shipwrecks
The steamer Manuka sank at Long Point on December 1929. No lives lost. The Bessie sank at Long Point on Dec. 8 1887. Bruce Collins wrote "Wreck of the Manuka" in 2005.

Rogue Waves 
July 21, 2004. The European Space Agency (ESA) announced its satellite observations have confirmed tales of monster "rogue" waves that have menaced mariners for centuries. A team of scientists studied a series of images of the Earth's oceans taken by the ERS satellites over a period of three weeks. In those images they found more than 10 giant waves taller than 25 metres (80 feet). The waves exist in higher numbers than anyone expected. A new study will track the oceans for 2 years to get a better understanding of how they form, and if they can be predicted. The waves are believed to be responsible for numerous maritime tragedies throughout history: two large ships sink every week on average, but the cause is never studied to the same detail as an air crash. It simply gets put down to 'bad weather'." The fact that rogue waves actually take place relatively frequently had major safety and economic implications, since current ships and offshore platforms are built to withstand maximum wave heights of only 15 metres.

The Auckland. I yelled "Look out" and ducked for the companion. The "island " (of water with a crest on it) just walked clean over us from one end to the other, and I found myself swimming down the cabin. The lamps went out as the skylight stove in. The man had been washed away from the wheel. That awful boiling sea none of us can ever forget. No wind, yet enormous sea rolling from all quarters, and just sweeping clean over us. Somehow we kept afloat.

Otago Witness, Saturday January 13th 1883 pg14
Dyschromatopsy is an affection which, among seafaring men, may lead to sad calamities. It may occasion errors as to the nationality of flags or the transmission of signals - errors, again, as to the position of vessels met at night which should have green and red lights, one starboard and the other port, mistakes as to the colour of the revolving or other permanent lights. Dr Romberg has collected the accounts of 2406 collisions at sea. Neglect and unskilfulness of crews, and such accidents as could not be foreseen or avoided, were the causes in 1562 cases. The remaining 846 are divided as follows:
Error of the pilot and captain, 215
Carelessness as to the rule of the road, 537
Unascertained causes, 94.
Of late, however, the candidates at the naval schools in France have been subjected to various tests to try their capability of distinguishing colours.

Away, upon the raging sea, 
On the billow bounding past,
The ocean's toy flies scudding on 
Before the stormy blast! 

Beneath her stems the surging wave 
Astern - a foaming track; 
There's not a gleam of hope to light 
The sea-tossed wanderer back. 

She sinks�she sinks�beneath the deep, 
Where man can never tell � 
The mountain wave gave him a grave� 
The winds howled forth his knell!