Barrow, schooner, The vessel left Riverton on April 9, 1863, bound for Stewart Island, in ballast. The weather on starting was fair, the wind blowing moderately from the north-west. On reaching Howells point the wind chopped round and blew violently from the south-west, and the master deemed it advisable to return to Howells Head, the night being dark and tempestuous. After anchoring in the roadstead the gale increased. Even with both anchors down and the chains out to the bow ends the schooner drifted, and later the best bower cable parted. Finding it impossible to weigh the other anchor, the captain made sail and attempted to beat off the lee shore. Failing in this attempt, the master thought it advisable, for the safety of life and property, to beach the vessel, and she was run ashore on the Waimatuku Beach, within eight miles of Riverton. A survey was held on the schooner, and she was ordered to be sold for the benefit of those concerned. The wreck of the Barrow was bought by Captain Levy, of the schooner John, for a small sum, and is believed to have become a total loss.The Barrow was a schooner of 45 tons register, commanded by Captain Thomas Mitchell. She was probably the vessel of that name, No. 31,837, registered at Melbourne.
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