Star of the East - Kaipara (Fanny Channel) January 1855

The Star of the East was a vessel (of undetermined type) owned by the firm of Marsden & Mathews. She had loaded timber at Mangawhare. Adverse conditions meant the vessel was kept waiting inside the Kaipara Heads, for some two weeks before she could finally attempt to cross the bar and out into the Tasman bound for Sydney. On January 30th 1855, between 10 and 11 a.m. the vessel struck trouble and ended up being wrecked in the Fanny Channel. No loss of life occurred during the incident.

The Star of the East was loaded with timber, and ready for sea, at Kaipara, on the 22nd inst; she expected to sail the next day for Sydney.
 - Daily Southern Cross 26 January 1855
  LOSS OF THE "STAR OF THE EAST." We regret having to record the loss of the ship "Star of the East," Captain A. Ashmore, which occurred off Kaipara, on the morning of the 30th January. The following are the particulars, as far as we have been able to ascertain, of the unfortunate occurrence :—:
  The "Star of the East" was timber laden, and had been waiting for some days for a fair wind to enable her to proceed to sea ; on the morning of the 30th ult. a strong breeze set in from the North, and the Capt. immediately made all sail in order to get to sea, unfortunately before the vessel was clear of the outer shoal, the wind fell light, with puffs from the S.E., there being no hopes of getting the ship through the main channel, the Pilot recommended that an attempt should be made to get to get to sea by the Fanny Channel.
 Owing to the lightness of the wind, and the ebb tide, the attempt did not succeed, and the vessel struck in the Fanny Channel. The boats were cut adrift, the long boat filled, and was washed overboard ; one of the gigs was also stove, twenty men got into the remaining boat, while the Captain was stunned, by a blow received from some of the falling rigging ; on recovering he found two lifebuoys, one of which he fastened on, he handed the other to the Chief Officer, who had remained on board, they then jumped overboard and swam to the remains of one of the boats which was floating bottom upwards, where they remained until the crew having reached the long boat, and bailed her out, came to their assistance, in about an hour and a half afterwards.
 During the time the Captain and Chief Officer were on the bottom of the boat, they saw three sharks swimming round them. After some time all hands reached the North Head, and eventually Mangawhare, the residence of H Atkins, Esq., where they were hospitably received ; and the tale of the unfortunate catastrophe was immediately forwarded to Auckland.
 - Daily Southern Cross 6 February 1855

The wreck and her cargo of timber was put up for auction in Auckland on the 9th of February 1855. She still remains to this day in the Fanny Channel where she was wrecked.

For the Benefit of whom it may Concern, THOS. WESTON & CO., Will Sell by Auction, at their Stores, Shortland Street, on Friday, 9th Feb., at 11 o'clock, THE wreck of the ship STAR OF THE EAST, - as she now lies in the Fanny Channel, Kaipara Heads, French carvel built, 6 oar gig, and 2 anchors, long boat, carvel built, both secured at the landing-place Kaipara, 2 life buoys. Terms — Cash. On Account of whom it may Concern. THOS. WESTON & CO., Will Sell by Auction at their Stores, Shortland- street, on Friday next, 9th Feb., at 11 o'clock, THE Cargo of Timber, 451 Loads, shipped on board the STAR OF THE EAST, at Mangawhare, Kaipara, and supposed to be still remaining in the wreck of that vessel at Kaipara Heads. Terms — Cash. 
-  Advertisements Daily Southern Cross 6 February 1855
  

Guest Blog Post - A Shipwreck Confusion the Posthumus and the Helena September 1863

This is a guest blog post written by my great friend Lisa author of the outstanding Timespanner Blog. This is the first of a series of guest blog posts Lisa has contributed towards the Shipwrecks NZ Blog. Very much appreciated. Lisa is an outstanding writer and historian. I am very privileged to be able to post her contributions here on this blog.

Over the course of two issues in the New Zealander newspaper, 16 and 19 February 1859, a correspondent recorded what a trip was like out to West Auckland and the about-to-be-named Parish of Waitakere on the West Coast.

“The beach of Waitakeri Bay, rock-bound as it is, is one of the best we know for a watering-place – as smooth and soft as a planed floor. The sea comes in (with a West wind especially) with a heavy, yet not unpleasant surge and, the ledges of rocks every here and there, form themselves into very sheltered and safe bathing salles in every one of the bays formed as this part of the coast by headlands. The caves are eminently attractive – two of them being about a hundred yards long, and proportionately wide and high. In the largest, as the Maoris are proud of telling, their progenitors used to make their abode, and the floors of both are strewed with gigantic sea-weed springing from heavy blocks of conglomerate, which have been torn from the ocean’s bed and washed up into these caves by the fierce-surging waves carried far in-shore by the Western gales. In the close vicinity of the largest cave, there is to be seen a huge volcanic dyke, upheaved by subterranean action, and without the slightest break, through the close-gritted conglomerated headland.”

In both parts of the article, reference was made to the wreck of the Posthumus:

“At the Northern end of the first bay, close to where the “top-layer”, so to speak, of the once-deep Waitakeri struggles through the magnetic iron-sand to join the sea, the keel, the floor, and fragments of the French barque “Posthumus” were pointed out to the visitors, and “Henry Waterhouse” (brother of the Chief) told how he had met the four survivors wandering about the shore, faint, hungry, and fearing they had escaped death by drowning only to be devoured by cannibals – how the poor fellows were at length persuaded to come up to the settlement and their first wants supplied – and how, afterwards, other requisite steps were taken to meet their necessities. In a nook was also pointed out the place where the Captain of the ill-fated vessel Was buried. Fragments of the wreck are scattered about in different small bays adjoining the scene of the wreck.”

Not familiar with the Waitakere Ranges in any great detail, I thought looking up details on the wreck of the Posthumus might give me an idea as to where the writer had been. Not really.

According to New Zealand Shipwrecks, the Posthumus was a barque wrecked on 21 September 1853 – at Kaipara. Just off the Tory Shoal, the Posthumus struck and was breached by the sea. There was no loss of life, including the captain – they all made their way along the Kaipara River inland, arriving in Auckland five days later. The Posthumus wasn’t French; she was part-owned by a New Zealander, William Williams of Tamaki.

I looked through Papers Past – and found references to the Posthumus close to those of another wreck, that of the Helena. This from the Southern Cross, 23 September 1853:

"Calamitous Shipwreck.

"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 inst. on which disastrous occasion her commander, Capt. 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 seaman, 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 spinnaker, a heavy sea running, and driving her bodily inshore. Captain Brown, of whom the survivors speak with the utmost affection and respect, took every precaution a skilful mariner could take to reach offshore, prefixing by every possible opportunity to make sail and stand out to sea; but the gale continued with unabated fury; and although top-gallant masts, mizzen top-mast, and all top-hamper had been sent down to stiffen her; although even her topmast back-stays had siarted the dead eyes under the pressure of her canvas, yet, being in ballast trim, and making so much leeway, it was only by means of the most untiring energy and skill that the ship was enabledto long to maintain her seaward position.

"During eleven days of weary anxiety, Capt. Brown and his crew were thus occupied, vainly endeavouring to gain an offing; and tossed about, up and down the West Coast, from Hokianga to Manukau. Three several ports were successively sought to be entered viz, Hokianga, Kaipara, and Manakau. The attempt, however, was found to be altogether impracticable, so close was the Helena, at one time, to the former port, that a ship was seen at anchor in tide. Not knowing the bar and the sea breaking right across, Captain Brown was afraid to venture.

"An attempt was then made to enter the harbour of Manukau. This was on Friday last, and between 3 and 4 p.m. The ship was, unfortunately, driven too far to leeward, fetching to leeward of the reef. In this melancholy position, there was no alternative but to wear the ship; in doing so, she was driven still further to leeward and, in fact became hopelessly embayed. Night being now fast approaching, as the last remaining chance of escape, the ship was beached, taking the flat sandy shore nearly at low water. She struck heavily several times, when the mainmast was cut away to lighten her. At this moment, she broke right across in two pieces, all hands being left on the after part. A boat was then lowered, but, the moment it touched the water, the sea swept it clear of the tackles.

"Two of the crew next endeavoured to swim ashore with a line fastened to them. Neither of them could succeed, the sea and tide utterly overpowering them. They with difficulty got back to the wreck. The only alternative was thus to remain by the ship until she broke up, an event which took place almost immediately after the tide began to flow. At this appalling juncture, all hands, except the chief officer (Mr. James Hutton, of Aberdeen) and one seaman (Edward Davis, of Bristol, late of the Nina), who were on deck, from whence they were swept by a heavy sea, were in the cabin, where Captain Brown wan reading prayers to them. The cabin was a deck house; and was continually filled with the sea that burst in from seaward, and the back wash that poured in from a-lee. Whilst the Captain was reading, the mizzen mast fell, killing, it 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. Willam 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 buffeted, being sucked back by the under-tow. Gordon was dragged ashore in a state of insensibility by his shipmates 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. Capt. 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 where, having been hospitably entertained for the next three days, they were conveyed to Mr. Henderson's Mill, at the head of the Waitemata.

"There was no other body but that of the captain cast ashore. Two boats, some stores, together with several spars, rigging, sails, and a considerable portion of the vessel, have been saved. These have been taken charge of by the natives. The barque Posthumous was to have sailed from Melbourne, for Kaipara, on the 24th ult., the day after the Helena.”

It was the Helena, not the Posthumus, which had become a shipwreck off Waitakeri Bay – the bay known these days as Bethell’s Beach / Te Henga. I suppose six years down the track from the tragedy, the New Zealander’s correspondent simply got the two wrecks mixed up, seeing as they happened relatively close to each other in time and geography.

The Helena, though, wasn’t French, either.

Southern Cross, 30 September 1853

Punt Sinking at Tokatoka - 1871 (Kaipara)

In May 1871 three people were drowned, when the punt they were in, swamped with water then sank. The inquest found that the punt had been overloaded with kauri gum - which resulted in teh drownings of two men and a young boy named Francis Norwood. The bodies of the two men Henry Tullock and James Arthur were recovered. The body of Francis was not recovered until September of the same year.

NORTHERN WAIROA.

SAD ACCIDENT.—TWO LIVES LOST.

One of those sad accidents which cast a gloom over a neighbourhood, cause sorrow in families, and fill some hearts with anguish, occurred at Tokatoka on the 9th instant. A youth named Frank William Northwood, and a man named Henry Tullock, were drowned by the upsetting of a boat. The youth was related to Mr .J. Fitness, of Tokatoka, (through his wife) and employed by him in the stores of Messrs. Must and Co. During Mr. Fitness's absence in Auckland, the care of the store was left in the deceased Tullock's charge. He appears to have been very anxious to do all he could during his absence, and made a voyage to Kaihu on Monday with two tons of gum, and returned to Tokatoka about three o'clock in the morning of Tuesday. He loaded again, and started with two tons and 13 cwt. more gum, Frank North-wood, Mr. Fitness's brother-in-law,being with him in the boat, at the helm. When abreast of Mr. Jenkins', it came on to blow very hard, and whilst Tullock was endeavouring to take in a reef, the boat gave a heavy lurch, took in water, then righted again, and eventually sank. Captain Stanaway, of the Clyde ; Mr. Manning, of the Packet; Mr. Stanaway, of Tokatoka, and several of the settlers on the banks of the Wairoa, spent considerable time in endeavouring to raise the boat and to find the bodies. The boat came to pieces with the efforts made, and, I regret to say, the bodies have not been found. The elder deceased was a married man, and leaves a family, now residing at Melbourne.—[" Herald's" Correspondent, May 16.]

- Auckland Star 22 May 1871

GREAT NORTHERN WAIROA: CORONER'S INQUEST.

On Saturday, the 20th May, an inquest wag held at the Tokatoka Hotel, before Thomas Stirrup Webb, Esq., Coroner, and a jury of settlers, upon the bodies of Henry Tullock and James Arthur Brown, who were drowned while conveying gum up the river. Joseph Fitness, George Smith, and James Kelly were examined. The jury returned verdicts to the effect that both persons came to their deaths by drowning, owing to the upsetting of a punt loaded with kauri gum, on the Mangonui river, and they expressed their opinion that the punt was overloaded, and wished to express their disapprobation of the practice of overloading boats.— It appears Tullock has been a captain of a ship in the other colonies. He leaves a wife and several children to lament their loss, at Melbourne. The body of the little boy, who was drowned at the same time, has not yet been found. Both the bodies were buried side by side (on Sunday last, May 21, when a number of relatives and friends attended. The funeral service was conducted in a very solemn and impressive manner by the Rev. Moses Breach, who used a revised form of the Church of England. —[Correspondent.]

- The Daily Southern Cross 29 May 1871

GREAT NORTHERN WAIROA : INQUEST.

On Monday evening, September 18, a coroner's inquest was held at the Tokatoka Hotel, before Thomas S. Webb, Esq., Coroner, on the skeleton of a little boy, found on Sunday, the 17th instant, at hiqh water mark near Tokatoka by Mr. William Paton. The remains of the corpse were identified as those of Francis Northwood, who was drowned on the 9th of May last in company with Henry Tullock, by the swamping of a boat too heavily laden with kauri gum. With the bones were found a boot, sock, the buckles of a belt, parts of a coat, pants, and shirt, which Mr. Fitness and his brother could swear belonged to and were worn by the ' boy Northwood at the time of his being drowned. The jury unanimously agreed in the verdict of Accidental death by drowning. As soon as the decision was given, and the warrant issued for interment, the grave was dug by moon and lantern light between those of two others who met with their deaths in the same way a few months ago. The burial service was read by the Rev. Mr. Breach, whose voice sounded forth the Christians' hope, amid the hills above and dales below, as literally — " We buried him dark at the dead of night, The sods with our shovels turning, By the struggling moonbeam's misty light, And our lanterns dimly burning." — [Correspondent.]

- Daily Southern Cross 25 September 1871

Mary Catherine - Kaipara 1846

The Mary Catherine was a barque of some 400 tons commanded by Captain Howlett. She stranded on one of the many sand bars that criss crossed the entrance to the Kaipara Harbour. Declared a total loss the Mary Catherine was put up for auction in Auckland. She was refloated then returned to Auckland where she was rebuilt then renamed the Charles (Article Nelson Examiner & NZ Chronicle 23rd October 1847) . The Charles sailed for London from the Port of Auckland on 16th September 1847.

An account from The New Zealander 23rd May 1846 gave an account of the Mary Catherine's ordeal

LOSS OF THE BARQUE MARY CATHERINE

New Zealander 23rd May 1846

On the 25th April, the fine barque Mary Catherine, Capt. Howlett, 400 tons, left Auckland for the Port of Kaipara on the western coast, to take in a valuable cargo of spars for England. It is with regret, we have to announce that advices were received last Sunday, overland, with account of the Mary Catherine having being driven on a sand-bank in the harbour of the Kaipara, after parting from the chain and warps, in that most tremendous gale which occurred during the night of Saturday, the 9th May. It is most satisfactory to state, that no lives were lost, and that what cargo there was on board of copper, oil, flax, and kauri gum, will be saved.

The Mary Catherine arrived off the harbour of Kaipara, on the afternoon of the 5th May, when she lay to until the following morning, Wednesday, the 6th; - when she entered the heads, with a north-east breeze, and work in, beautifully, between the shoals.

The Tory shoal was weathered at 5 p.m., and she anchored at 7 p.m., in nine fathoms water, off Point Dawson; she remained at this anchorage until Saturday, the 9th, when, at 3 p.m., as the barometer was rapidly falling and the weather bore a very threatening aspect, the barque got underweigh, blowing hard at south-west, under double reefed topsails; but at the first cast of the lead the water shoaled from six to two fathoms, and she immediately struck.

However, the stream anchor was immediately got out ahead, with 140 fathoms of good warps, and she was hove off to six fathoms water; but the breeze increasing to a perfect gale, it was found impossible to get her into deep water, and the larboard chain veered out, until her heel was in three fathoms water, and still holding onto the warps.

The gale during the night increased to a prefect hurricane, and continued until the following Wednesday, with increasing violence. On Monday, the 11th, the ship parted from both warps and chain, and was driven height on the sand-bank. It then being the full moon, the spring tides, added to the force of the gale, forced the vessel higher on the bank.

A survey has been held on board the vessel by the captains of other ships in the harbour of the Kaipara, where there are so few facilities as well as inhabitants, will be so great, that it will be more to the interest of the underwriters and all parties concerned, that the vessel should be publicly sold as she now lies.

Tory - Grounding Kaipara 1839

Ship: Tory 3 masted Barque built 1834 by Frederick Preston, Southdown Suffolk for Joseph Soames. Registered 8th May 1834. Purchased by the New Zealand Company November 1834. Sailed from London in May 1839 under the command of Captain Edward Mein Chaffers with 35 passengers on board. She arrived in Queen Charlotte Sound on the 17th September 1839 and entered Port Nicholson (Wellington) 20th September 1839. Wrecked in the Palawan Passage 23rd January 1841.

The Tory was the earliest of the recorded vessels to come to grief at the entrance to the Kaipara Harbour. (She was not the first European vessel to enter the the Kaipara Harbour). She ran aground on the morning 19th of December after setting anchor in 10 fathoms of water the night before in the Harbour entrance. It was fortunate Captain Chaffers had chosen to sail in summer. Winter time on the Kaipara Harbour was a dangerous time for sailing vessels. Storms from the Tasman would blow up without warning the fierce westerly gales dashing many an unfortunate ship upon the western shores. Her reasons though for entering the Kaipara were in themselves fascinating.

Colonel Wakefield had received instructions from the New Zealand Company to proceed to the Kaipara as follows (NZ Spectator 6th September 1839)

Extract from the Instructions given to Colonel Wakefield, the Company's Principal Agent in command of the Preliminary Expedition: -

Considering the excellent sailing qualities of the Tory, and that you are amply supplied with provisions and water, we trust that you may reach Cook's Strait, without touching anywhere, by the end of August. As soon as you have completed your business there, which we are in hopes may not occupy you more than two months, you will proceed to Kaipara, and thoroughly inspect that harbour and district. You will also take the best means in your power of ascertaining whether there is; to the southward of Kaipara a spot more suitable than that port to become the seat of the commercial capital of the North Island; and if you should discover such a spot, you will endeavour to make an extensive purchase there.

At Kaipara you will exhibit to the natives the original contracts of Lieutenant McDonnell, and will claim, on behalf of the Company, the lands therein named. You will also inform the natives, that Lieutenant McDonnell intends to proceed to New Zealand ere long; you will deliver to the chiefs the letter, whereby he informs them of his having transferred his lands there to the Company; and you will take whatever steps you may think most expedient, to obtain possession of this tract in the name of the Company.

Supposing you to have selected from any purchases that you may make in Cook's Strait, or in the neighbourhood of Kaipara, or in the district of the Company's lands at Kaipara that spot which you shall deem the fittest for a first settlement, - that spot which shall present the most satisfactory combination of facility of access, security for shipping, fertile soil, water-communisation with districts abounding in flax and timber, and falls of water for the purposes of mills, - and where the native inhabitants shall evince the greatest desire to receive English settlers, and appear most anxious to obtain employment for wages; there you will make all such preparations for the arrival of a body of settlers, as the means at your disposal will allow. Amongst these it occurs to us that the natives should be employed at liberal wages, in felling the best kinds of timber, taking the logs to the place which you may have marked out for the site of a town, and so in collecting and preparing flax and spars as a return freight for vessels which may convey settlers to the place. You should also make the native thoroughly aware of the nature and extend of the intended settlement, so that they may not be surprised at the subsequent arrival of a number of large ships. At this spot, when you quit it, you will of course, leave such persons as you may be able to spare, and shall be willing to remain, for the purpose of assuring the natives of your return, and of pursuing the labours of preparation.

After calling at several places the “Tory” set sail for Kaipara on the 16th December, 1839, and anchored in ten fathoms outside the entrance of that harbour on the 18th. The following morning Dr. Dorset, who was left in charge of affairs during the Colonel's absence up north, announced that the ship was aground, so the usual methods to get her off were taken, but in vain. Captain Chaffers and his crew exerted themselves unceasingly; five guns, three or four anchors and cables, a deck load of spare spars and several other heavy articles were cast over; some heavy mill stones and paving flags were hoisted from the hold and rolled overboard. One of them was carelessly sent through the best whale-boat, which lay at the gangway.

She was hove down on a sandbank at the first spring tide, and the necessary repairs proceeded with. Colonel Wakefield then proceeded overland to the Bay of Islands in order to charter a small vessel to take him to Port Hardy, to meet the first fleets of Emigrant ships.

- from Early Wellington P22 Author Louis E. Ward

Further Notes:

• Post update 18th March 09 The personal account as written by Colonel Wakefield to a Sydney Newspaper

• Lt Thomas James McDonnell had sailed into the Kaipara Harbour in 1835/36 in the schooner Tui and, announcing that he acted by authority, declared the harbour tapu and claimed extensive timber rights. In fact McDonnell only had a claim to his land at Horeke and nothing else. The New Zealand Company would later find out their so-called land purchases were in fact completely invalid. The Company in their journal from 1842 would later declare McDonnell as being a 'crimper' a comparison to the press gangers of the early sailing days. McDonnell was also known by many of the early settlers who had had dealings with this colourful Irishman as "McDiddle" a story I'll be doing a little later on once my research has been completed.

Read a full account of the Tory's voyage to New Zealand here
More on the Tory here

Mosquito - Whakapirau 1867 (Kaipara Harbour)

The Replica of the Bounty anchored in Whangarei 1980

The Kaipara Harbour with its many changing moods can be very unpredictable. While the infamous heads have their treacherous reputation, the inner reaches of the Kaipara could be just as perilous. More than one ship and small boat had met an end in the one of the many inlets and rivers. A brief mention in a faded newspaper before as the decades passed all but forgotten and unrecorded then lost to memory.

This perhaps is the case with a boat named the Mosquito. She was built by Thomas Condon for Albertland Settler Lionel de Labrosse. Labrosse had taken land up at Pahi with his wife and family in the early years of 1863/64. He was a French Count according to Dick Scott from his book Seven Lives on Salt River. Scott covers the life of Lionel de Labrosse describing him as 'the Count who ate with the crew'. I will be researching this interesting man later on. Thanks to a very close friend of mine Lisa aka Timespanner my mind enquired beyond the written chapter and I began to look further into the account of the sinking of de Labrosse's vessel. Below is a letter from Lionel de Labrosse to Captain James then pilot of the Kaipara Harbour as it appeared in the Daily Southern Cross 25th September 1867.

Loss of Life at Kaipara

We have been furnished with the following letter by Captain James, pilot at the Kaipara, detailing a boat accident, and loss of life at Kaipara.

To Captain James

Dear Sir,

I am sorry to have to relate to you a sad event which occurred on Monday last.

I left Helensville on Friday night, the 11th instant, on board my boat the ' Mosquito' having with me Thomas Condon, the builder.

We came that night as far as Shelly Beach, and anchored there for the night. On Saturday morning we left before high water for the Heads, but when as far as the buoy, finding the sea rather heavy, and having our after hatch not closed, which caused us to ship some water, we ran back to Shelly Beach, being all the time under double-reef mainsail and staysail, and jib, wind blowing about W.S.W all the time.

On Sunday, the 13th we left before high water, with a light breeze, carrying whole mainsail and staysail, and jib. We reached your place about 10.30, and came to anchor to wait for the tide to cross the Heads and get up the Otamatea.

We left your place about 3 o'clock, with your directions to cross the bank, which we accomplished satisfactorily . The breeze being light, we sent up the gaff top-sail, and reached Masefield's between 6 and 7 o'clock, and stopped there for the night.

On Monday, the 14th, about 5 o'clock a.m., got under-way for Pahi, with double-reefed mainsail and staysail, it blowing rather fresh from the eastward. We beat against the tide, and got clear of Masefield's Bluff in three tacks, when we noticed some very dirty weather to the windward of us. We brought up and anchored, took in the third reef, and waited until the squall was over. It blew fearfully, and rained the whole time. When the squall was over we got under-way on the starboard tack, so as not to get ourselves to windward, being able to run bar-free up the Arapaua. We experienced some very heavy squalls, which caused us to douse the peak several times. The sea was pretty heavy, but the boat was riding over it like a bird, not shipping a drop of water. We go on very well, and were as far as Whakapirau; the wind having moderated and heading us a little, we let go one reef, so as to get around the large bluff, which is just opposite Manukau's Point, without putting her round.

When getting near the township, Condon suggested to me that we ought to put the jib on her, the weather being clear and fine. I said I thought she had enough, but if he thought she might carry it, he might please himself; so he went and put it on. She was at the time running free. We passed the township, and, when about half a quarter mile from it, a sudden squall struck us, coming right over the bluff. I gave her all the helm I could, telling Condon at the same time to let fly the jib sheet. She lay down considerably, and would not luff anymore, having too much headsail; and Condon not letting go the jib sheet, a second squall struck her as she was lying over, and she began to fill in the after hatch. I told him to cut away the jib-halliards, but I believe the poor fellow had lost his presence of mind, for he stood motionless by the rigging. When half full she began to right herself and go down stern first. I then shouted to Condon to look our for his life, when all the answer he gave me was "I cannot swim." I told him then to catch hold of the oar that was on deck. I jumped off to windward, and having my oilskins on, did not expect to be saved; but with aid of my knife, I soon stripped some of my clothes off, and, turning round, saw Condon struggling with a box about ten yards from me; but I saw no more of him after that moment.

I saw one of the hatches which came up, and made for it, thinking I could get to him, but my oilskins became entangled about my legs, I was unable to reach the poor fellow before he sank to rise no more. Seeing no more of him, I thought I must now look out for my life, and catching hold of another hatch, I let the tide drift me up until I was picked up by Mt Herbert Metcalfe and Mr Coates, who were down at Mr Symonds's, and saw us go down.

Great praise is due to them, and to Mr Symonds also, for the exertions they made on our behalf, and for the promptitude with which they acted against wind and tide. We have been searching for the body ever since, and dragged the river, but without success.

I remain, dear sir, most truly yours

Lionel de Labrosse

Daily Southern Cross 25th October 1867

Further notes. From the description of the vessels' location and the assistance of J. Symonds (who had a timber mill at Whakapirau) I am taking an educated guess that the Mosquito sank just near Whakapirau Beach. Per haps she still lies beneath the harbour sands waiting to be rediscovered.

Lady St Aubyn - Kaipara 1901

Lady Luck it seemed for the 150 ton schooner Lady St Aubyn didn't run on her side. Another victim of the notorious Kaipara Bar she ran aground on the February 25th 1901. No lives were lost in the stranding, but for the Lady St Aubyn this was to be her last voyage.

Her figurehead is on display at the Dargaville Museum a beautiful lady that didn't bring the vessel she was meant to protect in maritime tradition mercy from the perils of the sea. According to the information on the display board Lady St Aubyn was registered in Penzance, Cornwall, England. And thanks to Timespanner who consulted her book of NZ Shipwrecks I can now verify her year of 1871"The Lady St Aubyn, No. 58,381, 150 tons register, built at Penzance, Cornwall, in 1871 by Martin Matthews. Length 101ft., beam 25.6ft., depth 11.7ft. Owned by J. Pitcaithley of Christchurch (however I have noted a purchase of the vessel by Captain Savident and as being chartered by Messrs Pitcaithley,Wallace & Co see below), and commanded by Captain Alexander McDonald."

There is some question here as to the correct ownership of the Lady St Aubyn. I have noted a purchase by Captain Savident in July 1899 and during my research I also found this article in the Evening Post dated 21st May 1900 as follows:

Yesterday the Schooner Lady St Aubyn arrived in harbour with 135,000ft of timber, half of which is for Messrs Stewart & Co and Pronse Brothers and the remainder for the Gear Company's works at Petone. Captain Saivdent reports favourable N.E winds in his 87 hours passage from Kaipara. The vessel has been chartered by Messrs Pitcaithley, Wallace & Co to proceed from this port to Mercury Bay to load timber for Dunedin, thence to Lyttleton to take a quantity of machinery for Picton, and from, the latter port to the Manukau and back to Kaipara.
My question is did Savident sell the vessel to Pitcaithley? And was Savident still on board when she wrecked?

The first mention I have of her was from the Daily Southern Cross 21 September 1871. The Lady St Aubyn arrived in the port of Adelaide from Mauritius. From there she was mentioned numerous times as crossing from New Zealand to various ports around the Australian coast. She was a trader taking different goods back and forth to New Zealand and other ports. A well seasoned voyager with a list of mishaps to her elegant name.

In a report from the Grey River Argus 14 January 1897 a telegraph message had arrived from Melbourne reporting the schooner had put in to Melbourne after spring a leak in bad weather three days out from the Kaipara to Freemantle. The only thing keeping her afloat was the cargo of timber she was carrying...The schooner Lady of St Aubyn, bound from Kaipara to Freemantle, put in here disabled. She sprung a leak when three days out. Tempestuous weather prevailed throughout, and she had a terrible time, with five feet of water in the hold, and was only kept afloat by her cargo of timber.

In July 1899 Lady St Aubyn was purchased by Captain Savident for the Kaipara-Wellington-Lyttleton trade (Evening Post 29 July 1899).

1900 it seemed was a bad year for the schooner. June 1st 1900 the Lady St Aubyn dragged her anchor in a southerly gale while unloading timber at Petone Wellington, ending up beached.

"During a southerly gale yesterday the schooner Lady St Aubuyn, which was discharging timber at Petone wharf, dragged her anchor and drifted onto the beach. She lies on an upright keel, and is making a little water." Poverty Bay Herald 2 June 1900

Then in late October/Early November 1900 the vessel almost came to grief in the dangerous Cook Strait...

The Brigantine Lady St Aubyn had a very narrow escape of being wrecked in the Cook Straits on the passage from Wellington to Kaipara during the heavy gales a fortnight back. The vessel was caught in a heavy gale and driven to Long Island, getting close to the high cliffs of the island. Being in danger of being driven ashore, the anchors were let go, but before they brought the vessel up she was within fifty yards of the cliffs.. The boats were got in readiness, and as the vessel began to drag still further in-shore, Captain Savident, and the crew left the vessel to her fate, and taking to the boats, made for the island. After a most trying experience they landed in an exhausted state. Some time later the wind suddenly changed, blowing off the land, and the deserted vessel commenced to drift away from her perilous position. Seeing a chance of saving her, the captain and crew put off from the shore again and boarded the vessel. The schooner was got well off the land, and the weather moderating, she continued her course for Kaipara, where she arrived safely.
- Poverty Bay Herald 13 November 1900

On the 25th of February 1901 the sea had the final say on the fate of the Lady of St Aubyn. Entering the Kaipara Heads the schooner was becalmed...

The crew of the Lady St Aubyn, which was wrecked at Kaipara have arrived in Auckland. The captain states that the brigantine was beating over the bar, and had got between the Tory Shoal and the North Spit when the wind suddenly dropped to a flat calm. The tide and swell swept the vessel towards the North Spit, and on this she struck about twenty minutes after the wind had dropped. The heavy swell tide carried the vessel further and further up the beach, bumping all the time. The crew walked ashore when the tide fell. The vessel bumped a great deal at the next tide, and the iron fastenings and seams started, water coming in between the planks. A nautical enquiry will be held tomorrow.
-Evening Post 14 March 1901

The day after the crew's arrival in Auckland on March 14th the nautical inquiry was held on March 15:

A Magisterial inquiry was held at the Magistrate's Court before H. W. Brabant S.M, into the circumstances surrounding the wreck of the schooner Lady St Aubyn on the North Spit Entrance to Kaipara Harbour on the 25 ult. the enquiry was held on the application of the Collector of Customs, who conducted the examination of witnesses. The finding of the Court was that the master had committed a grave error of judgment in not letting go his anchor when his vessel was drifting towards the North Spit, but the error in judgment was not considered grave enough to necessitate interference with the master's certificate. The master was ordered to pay half the costs of the enquiry, the proportion to be paid by him not to exceed L5.
- Grey River Argus 18 March 1901

Aurora - Kaipara 1840

I am still writing this post having found further information which I still need to follow up

The 500 ton Barque Aurora was one of the emigrant ships owned by the New Zealand Company.She came to grief on April 27 1840 while (possibly leaving from the Northern Wairoa River) with a load of Kauri spars and mail from Port Nicholson for England. The Aurora is noted in the New Zealand Gazette & Wellington Spectator as arriving in port on 24 January 1840.


She was noted again as leaving on 5th March 1840 for Java. (I note this isn't mentioned in the text by Sir Henry Brett however eventually she would headed for England)

Below is a full account from Sir Henry Brett's Book White Wings Volume 2. Founding of the Provinces and Old Time Shipping. Passenger Ships from 1840 - 1885 (NZETC) of the Aurora and her voyage from England to Port Nicholson then to her final fate at the Kaipara Heads when leaving with her cargo.

Taking the emigrant vessels, not in the order of sailing from England, but in the order of their arrival at Port Nicholson, we have first the Aurora, 550 tons, Captain Theophilus Heale, which brought out 148 souls, 58 being males and 90 females. Among the cabin passengers were Major Richard Baker (the magistrate appointed by the New Zealand Company) and Mr. Edward Stafford, afterwards Sir Edward Stafford. Of the voyage out there is nothing of exceptional interest to record. It was very much like hundreds of other passages made in subsequent years by other emigrant ships, but there is always attaching to the well-named Aurora the special interest that she was actually the first of a long train of vessels to arrive in New Zealand with people who had come over 12,000 miles of ocean to found the Britain of the South.

Wellington people have had the good taste to give the names of their first fleet ships to various streets, and the result is that wherever one goes in the town there is a name that recalls the stirring days when the city was born. Aurora, Oriental, Tory, Cuba, Adelaide, Bolton, and so on—you will find them all figuring on the street name-plates, and you cannot help thinking it is fitting and proper that the "old barkies" should have their memories perpetuated in this way. One could only wish that the younger generations knew a little more about the real meaning of these names.

Like all the ships of the New Zealand Company, the Aurora was well victualled, including supplies of "wine, spirits, and porter," which were described as ample.

The passengers, being all picked settlers, had no difficulty in amusing themselves on the long voyage, and we read of the dancing and other forms of entertainment which are very much the sort of thing with which the immigrants of to-day amuse themselves on their brief run in steamers that keep to a time-table.

On the whole the weather was good, but off the Cape of Good Hope and in the Southern Ocean some heavy gales were encountered, and the ship lost a topmast or two, as well as a yardarm. She was a good sea boat, however, and came gallantly through it all. Christmas Day was remembered on account of an immense iceberg that was passed.

It was not until January 17th that New Zealand was sighted, and on that day the ship entered Port Hardy. There a whaler named McLaren gave Colonel Wakefield's message, which was to go on to Port Nicholson. The Aurora was off the Heads on the 20th, but a nor'-wester kept her out for a couple of days, during which time she was visited by Wakefield, who had by this time returned from his travels.

Piloted by Captain "Georgie" Young, the well-known whaler, the Aurora entered port on the 22nd of January, 1840, after a passage of 126 days. She dropped anchor about half-way between Somes Island and Petone Beach, and her welcome was a salute from the Cuba's guns.

This epoch-making voyage of the Aurora was to be her last but one. In April of the same year she left Port Nicholson for the North, and was totally wrecked on the northern head of the Kaipara Harbour when leaving the river loaded with kauri spars, and carrying Port Nicholson mails for England.

L'Alcmene - Kaipara 1851

Painting of the wreck of L'Alcmene in the Dargaville Musium
Artist unknown Image taken by Liz

This is the first of a series of posts I'll be doing on Northland Ship Wrecks and casualties. Now and then I may divert and cover other wrecks from around the New Zealand Coast.

The L'Alcemene perhaps is one of the best known of the ships to have wrecked on the Northland west coast. Built in 1834 L'Alcmene was a French Corvette. She was a three masted vessel carrying 36 guns on board. Her Commander was Captain le Compte d'Harcourt. According to a report in the Southern Cross dated 17th June 1851 L'Alcmene was on her passage from Hobart to Hokianga. On June 3rd 1851 the L'Alcmene became becalmed thirty miles from shore. For four days she had drifted nearer and nearer to land. On the fourth day a westerly blew up and despite all efforts, she ended up entangled in the breakers,just off Bayly's Beach south of the notorious Monganui Bluff( itself a noted graveyard for many an unfortunate ship) and north of the equally dangerous Kaipara Harbour entrance.

With no hope to break free of the pounding west coast waves the Captain made a decision to beach her as a last alternative. In the doing twelve lives were lost. This is the account from the Southern Cross 17th June 1851:

As far as we have been able to gather, the particulars of this unfortunate disaster are as follows:-

The Alcmene was on her passage from Hobart Town to Hokianga, and at the beginning of the present month, got becalmed on the West Coast. about thirty miles off shore. She continued drawing helplessly towards the land, then she encountered a heavy gale on the 4th; and as we understand our informant, found it impossible to claw off the lee shore on which she found herself so unhappily and so unexpectedly thrown.

Having become entangled among the breakers, and no hope of saving the ship presenting itself, as a last alternative she was beached. Luckily she took the ground at the top of high water, and had her crew but waited for the ebb, in all probability little or no loss of life would have ensued.

As it was, an immediate attempt to land took place, which although partially successful, still entailed a sacrifice of twelve lives, and caused the wounding of twelve others. The great majority of the crew, including a Hobart Town lady, the wife of one of the officers, walked on shore from the ship which was left embedded in the sand on the fall of the tide.

The spot where the wreck occurred was at Ripiro, near Monganui, about midway between Kaipara and Hokianga Heads. The shipwrecked mariners, having strolled along the beach, encoutered a tribe of Ngatiapa, by whom, and their chief Matin, they were conducted to the village of Okaro, where they experienced every possible kindness and hospitality; and from whence some of the officers and men have crossed to Auckland to make known their misfortunes, and to solicit and all assistance that can be rendered. Little or nothing has been saved, and the ship has become a total wreck.

The Alcmene has been for sometime these seas, and had but just undergone a thorough and expensive refit at Hobart Town, at which port she had been lying for several months.

We understand Mr. Luke Master of H.M Ship Fly, has proceeded to the scene of disaster, to assist in securing whatever materials may be washed ashore, as well as to expediate the passage of the crew of the corvette to Auckland.

Further Reading An account by the Reverend James Buller here

Relics from the L'Alcmene now on display at the Dargaville Museum

Quarter Master's keys from the wreck of L'Alcmene

Photo of a model of the vessel

One of the cannons recovered from the wreck site