Ship "Cyrus"
- under Powell ANDREWS


Date of Casualty : 7 Mar 1874
Name of Master : Powell ANDREWS
Age of Vessel : 6 years
Rig : Barque
Register Tonnage : 317
Number of Crew : 10
Number of Passengers : 3
Nature of Cargo : Ballast, 90 tons
Nature of Casualty : Stranded; total loss
Number of Lives Lost : 5
Place of Accident : Two and a half miles to the eastward
of Sinclair Head, Cook Strait
Wind Direction : SE
Wind Force : Strong breeze


Finding of Court of Inquiry
Master careless in navigation of his vessel. His certificate
suspended for twelve months. But as he endeavoured to do his
duty, was always at his post sober and steady, Court recommended
that first mate's certificate be granted to him during period
of suspension of his certificate as master.

* Jane Caroline WRIGGLESWORTH (nee de MONTMORENCY)
* James de Montmorency Wrigglsworth aged 7
* Harold de Montmorency Wrigglesworth aged 5
* second mate of the ship Cyrus
* seaman of the ship Cyrus
- Jane and her children were crushed to death by the falling of the deckhouse. The 2 men lost their lives trying to get a rope to Jane and her children. The others on board were rescued by people from the shore. The vessel was reduced to matchwood within hours. Captain Andrews's crtificate was suspened for 12 months

Owhiro Bay is home to the CYRUS and the WELLINGTON, which went down on the same day within yards of each other


THE CYRUS
Vessel:
Three masted barque of 317 tons, built at Prince Edward Island in 1874.
Length 119 ft, Beam 27 ft, Depth 15 ft.

Site:
Lies 60m off shore on the west side of Owhiro Bay. In 5m of water on a rock and gravel bottom. Visibility 2-8m.

The Incident:
On 7 March 1874 was blown up on rocks during a terrific gale while sailing from Wellington to Australia in ballast. 50m to the west the Wellington was being wrecked at the same time.

Condition:
Virtually nothing identifiable remains, however close inspection of the sea floor has revealed pieces of copper sheath, nails or brass. Gold and silver coins, and jewellery have also appeared.