THE OTAGO WITNESS
3 Aug 1861

WRECK OF THE S.S. " OBERON."
The rumour of the loss of this fine little steamer
has been confirmed by the arrival of the captain
and part of the crew in the s.s. "Omeo." It ap-
pears that in entering the Bluff Harbour at about
four o'clock in the morning of the 23rd July, she
struck upon the sunken rock which lies almost in
the mid-channel, and upon which there was no
break that morning, the weather being very calm.
The screw became partly disabled with kelp and
Captain McWilliam thereupon deemed it most pru-
dent to run her further up on the rocks, as she
might otherwise have sunk in deep water. The
after-compartment had almost immediately filled
with water, but this having been got under by
pumping, and tide ebbing the hole was dis-
covered, and stopped with a bag of tallow, It was
ascertained at the same time that part of the keel
was gone, but hopes were then entertained of get-
ting her off when the tide should make, these were
destroyed by another rock bursting through the
engine-room, all efforts to stop which were fruit-
less, and the fires were speedily extinguished. The
vessel now began to grind heavily on the rocks
and the forehold to fill. Every effort was then
made to save stores, &c., and to lighten the vessel
Eventually, the other two compartments began
to fill with water, although the bulk-heads were
known to be good; and there being no appliances
at hand, with a certainty of her going to pieces as
soon as there was any heavy weather from the
North-east or South-east, she was surveyed and
condemned.
She now lies fore-and-aft on the reef known as
Hell Gate, full of water, with a rock against her
starboard-bow, two feet above the water at dead
low water, with a strong list to port.
    She appears to be laying nearly on an angle
upon the reef from the starboard-bow to the main
rigging on the port side. From our advertising
columns it will be seen that she is to be sold on
Saturday, at noon, on account of whom it may
concern.


Converted to electronic form by Corey Woodw@rd