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White Wings Vol I. Fifty Years Of Sail In The New Zealand Trade, 1850 TO 1900

The City Of Cashmere

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page 339

The City Of Cashmere.

Wrecked at Timaru.

the City of Cashmere, a handsome iron clipper ship of close upon 1000 tons, built at Glasgow in 1863 for G. Smith and Son, replaced the old wooden ship bearing the same name. She completed three voyages to Port Chalmers, and on her fourth passage went to Timaru, and while loading grain and wool at that roadstead was driven ashore on January 14, 1882, and became a total wreck.

The disaster was the result of the pin of the shackle of her anchor coming out, and before a second anchor was let go she drifted a mile into the breakers. There was not much sea running,
City Of Cashmere Cast Ashore At Timaru.

City Of Cashmere Cast Ashore At Timaru.

and the steam launch Lillie Denham went to the rescue, having on board Captain Ross, master of the City of Cashmere, who was ashore at the time of the accident. The harbourmaster, Captain Mills, had previously got on board, and every effort was made to save the vessel, but it being low tide she got further and further in. At midnight she struck the beach about five miles from Timaru. The rocket brigade succeeded in getting the crew and officers numbering 19, also the harbourmaster and Captain Ross, safely on shore. The wreck was the result solely of the pin of the shackle coming out, and in no way was due to the port. At the time the ship went ashore she had on board 2749 sacks of wheat, 276 sacks of flour, and 486 bales of wool, which were insured in an open policy in the Union; and 1600 sacks insured in the South British.

On the morning of the 15th the vessel had a hole in her bottom, and was a hopeless wreck as all the masts had gone over during the night. During the afternoon the officers and crew secured their effects at low tide, the vessel being then nearly clear of surf, and the hull left high and dry.

the City of Cashmere made three fast runs out, as given below:—

To Port Chalmers.
Sailed. Arrived. Captain. Days.
Feb. 19 May 21, '75 Torrance 91
*May 10 Aug. 6, '76 Grieve 84
Land to land 78
Mar. 30 June 27, '79 Grieve 87
Land to land 82
*

* The "Otago Daily Times" described this passage as the fastest of the season.

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