Seagull 1886, brigantine; On January 24, 1886, the vessel went ashore at Waikawa and became a total wreck, breaking up very quickly. Three vessels were lying at Waikawa, and all started to put to sea. The schooner Onward was first away and got clear, but just as the Seagull reached the mouth of the river, the wind, which was very light, changed to the south-west, placing the brigantine in a dangerous position. The master and crew did their best to work the Seagull out of the difficulty, but owing to the light contrary wind and currant their efforts were futile, and the vessel drifted among the breakers and struck. The crew were in a precarious position, as the ship’s boat had been smashed to pieces. Fortunately, the master of the Owake Bell, (probably the Owaka Bell), which was following the Seagull out, was in a position to render assistance. The master of the Seagull made a line fast to his body and swam through the breakers to the beach. By means of this line a boat was taken through the surf to the brigantine, and the crew were brought ashore. The vessel, which was loaded with 80.000 feet of timber, was left high and dry at low water.The Seagull, No. 36,661, was a wooden brigantine of 122 tons register, built at Carleton, St John, New Brunswick, in December 1859, and her dimensions were; length 81.6ft, beam 24.8ft, depth 8.8ft. Captain William Hanning captained the vessel.
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