The Wreck of The "Zuleika", Palliser Bay.
On the lonely windswwept coast of Palliser Bay, east of
Wellington, flowers grow on a large grave. It holds the bodies of
12 men, but few people know anything about its occupants and the
tragedy that happened long ago.
In 1897 the Zuleika a 23 year old iron ship had discharged half
its American cargo at Duneedin and was to complete unloading at
Wellington. At 11pm on April 16 it ran aground in a gael 6km from
Cape Palliser.
There wer 21 men aboard. All the deck fittings were swept
overboard and the crew took to the riggings. Tremendous seas were
running and the ship suddenly went unde. Those who could swim
made for the shore. The rest clung to the wreckage. All that was
left in the morning was a piece of the forecastle. Wreckage was
strewn over 3km of beach.
12 bodies, bruised and battered almost beyond recognition, were
buried near the beach. They were the mate, cook, steward, seven
seamen and 2 apprentices of the Zuleika.
Source....NZ Truth, 16 March 1976.
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The steamer 'Tutanekai' took coffins to the scene of the wreck of the 'Zuleika' today (22 April) and 8 of the victims were buried in one grave. The 9th body, that of Alexander McKay will be forwarded to Port Chalmers.
Mr Erai, the Maori, owns the land in the vicinity of the wreck, has given sufficient ground for the burial of the dead and has undertaken to erect a tombstone if one is sent down.
The wreck of the Zuleika in Palliser Bay was sold at auction to Mr Flockton for 65 pounds (stg). In addition to the tins of kerosene and American hardware lying on the beach there is a quantity of fencing wire in the water which it is believed can easily be recovered by a diver. The spars are estimated to be worth about 100 pounds (stg).
Wanganui Chronicle April 1897
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An iron ship, built in Glasgow in 1875 she was under the command of Captain John Reiach Bremmer. On this, her final voyage, she was transporting cargo from America to New Zealand.
The Drowned were;
Herbert GRAHAM, first mate, 28 years
George PETITE, steward 28years
George WILSON, ab seaman 56 years
W SWANSON ab seaman, 33 years
Charles DAWSON ab seaman 26 years
Blake, ab seaman 30 years
JONES, ab seaman, 52 years
Walter SUMMERS, apprentice 17 years
McKAY ab seaman 20 years
GILLON ab seaman 54 years
WILLIAMS, cook, 27 years
David STRUOCK, apprentice, 18 years
McKAY shipped at Port Chalmers where his parents reside. All bodies with the exception of the last three named were washed ashore. WILSON & GILLON were the only married men.
The Survivors were;
Captain BREMNER
William HANE, 2nd mate
KAVERKE, carpenter
William LIESSON ab seaman
Eugene MALVERN ab seaman
Peter ANKERSON ab seaman
William KEEN ab seaman
Archibald BURNETT, apprentice
Thomas CARSON, apprentice
