Wreck of the Opotiki.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 608, 16 May 1891, Page 2

Wreck of the Opotiki.

(SFXCIAL TO THX STANDIBD.) Napier, yesterday. Early this morning the fore and aft schooner Opotiki, from Gisborne, when being brought iu by her master, Captain Bl.ckwall, was swept towards the Petane shore and stranded. By the exertions of the people on shore the crew, consisting of three seamen, and the skipper, got ashore safely. Before that Pilot Kraeft and crew contrived to board the vessel, and ordered the anchors to be let down, but that was of no avail, as the heavy sea pressed her ashore, and tho vessel soon washed ashore behind the North British Freezing Works. The Opotiki is believed not to be insured; but the cargo, which is not a very heavy one, is insured, and probably will be got out to-morrow. As te the vessel there is a probability of her being got off if the weather moderates; but at present there appears to be no signs of it, both the wind ana sea being heavy. She lie., however, in a sheltered position, and does not seem likely to be injured. Tho Opotiki is a vessel of 38 tons, and was built at Auckland 25 years ago, and is owned by Mrs Oxley of Auckland.

The Opotiki took away from this port about two tons of wool, tallow, and skins, which were insured for £7O. The schooner was in charge of Captain Blackwell since lately. She left Gisborne for Napier shortly before 5 o'clock on Thursday afternoon, and exerienoed a heavy north-easterly gale on her passage down.