Kaipara Ship Wrecks - 1867 Mosquito possibly Whakapirau

The Replica of the Bounty anchored in Whangarei 1980

The Kaipara Harbour with its many changing moods can be very unpredictable. While the infamous heads have their treacherous reputation, the inner reaches of the Kaipara could be just as perilous. More than one ship and small boat had met an end in the one of the many inlets and rivers. A brief mention in a faded newspaper before as the decades passed all but forgotten and unrecorded then lost to memory.


This perhaps is the case with a boat named the Mosquito. She was built by Thomas Condon for Albertland Settler Lionel de Labrosse. Labrosse had taken land up at Pahi with his wife and family in the early years of 1863/64. He was a French Count according to Dick Scott from his book Seven Lives on Salt River. Scott covers the life of Lionel de Labrosse describing him as 'the Count who ate with the crew'. I will be researching this interesting man later on. Thanks to a very close friend of mine Lisa aka Timespanner my mind enquired beyond the written chapter and I began to look further into the account of the sinking of de Labrosse's vessel. Below is a letter from Lionel de Labrosse to Captain James then pilot of the Kaipara Harbour as it appeared in the Daily Southern Cross 25th September 1867.



Loss of Life at Kaipara


We have been furnished with the following letter by Captain James, pilot at the Kaipara, detailing a boat accident, and loss of life at Kaipara.


To Captain James

Dear Sir,

I am sorry to have to relate to you a sad event which occurred on Monday last.


I left Helensville on Friday night, the 11th instant, on board my boat the ' Mosquito' having with me Thomas Condon, the builder.


We came that night as far as Shelly Beach, and anchored there for the night. On Saturday morning we left before high water for the Heads, but when as far as the buoy, finding the sea rather heavy, and having our after hatch not closed, which caused us to ship some water, we ran back to Shelly Beach, being all the time under double-reef mainsail and staysail, and jib, wind blowing about W.S.W all the time.


On Sunday, the 13th we left before high water, with a light breeze, carrying whole mainsail and staysail, and jib. We reached your place about 10.30, and came to anchor to wait for the tide to cross the Heads and get up the Otamatea.


We left your place about 3 o'clock, with your directions to cross the bank, which we accomplished satisfactorily . The breeze being light, we sent up the gaff top-sail, and reached Masefield's between 6 and 7 o'clock, and stopped there for the night.


On Monday, the 14th, about 5 o'clock a.m., got under-way for Pahi, with double-reefed mainsail and staysail, it blowing rather fresh from the eastward. We beat against the tide, and got clear of Masefield's Bluff in three tacks, when we noticed some very dirty weather to the windward of us. We brought up and anchored, took in the third reef, and waited until the squall was over. It blew fearfully, and rained the whole time. When the squall was over we got under-way on the starboard tack, so as not to get ourselves to windward, being able to run bar-free up the Arapaua. We experienced some very heavy squalls, which caused us to douse the peak several times. The sea was pretty heavy, but the boat was riding over it like a bird, not shipping a drop of water. We go on very well, and were as far as Whakapirau; the wind having moderated and heading us a little, we let go one reef, so as to get around the large bluff, which is just opposite Manukau's Point, without putting her round.


When getting near the township, Condon suggested to me that we ought to put the jib on her, the weather being clear and fine. I said I thought she had enough, but if he thought she might carry it, he might please himself; so he went and put it on. She was at the time running free. We passed the township, and, when about half a quarter mile from it, a sudden squall struck us, coming right over the bluff. I gave her all the helm I could, telling Condon at the same time to let fly the jib sheet. She lay down considerably, and would not luff anymore, having too much headsail; and Condon not letting go the jib sheet, a second squall struck her as she was lying over, and she began to fill in the after hatch. I told him to cut away the jib-halliards, but I believe the poor fellow had lost his presence of mind, for he stood motionless by the rigging. When half full she began to right herself and go down stern first. I then shouted to Condon to look our for his life, when all the answer he gave me was "I cannot swim." I told him then to catch hold of the oar that was on deck. I jumped off to windward, and having my oilskins on, did not expect to be saved; but with aid of my knife, I soon stripped some of my clothes off, and, turning round, saw Condon struggling with a box about ten yards from me; but I saw no more of him after that moment.


I saw one of the hatches which came up, and made for it, thinking I could get to him, but my oilskins became entangled about my legs, I was unable to reach the poor fellow before he sank to rise no more. Seeing no more of him, I thought I must now look out for my life, and catching hold of another hatch, I let the tide drift me up until I was picked up by Mt Herbert Metcalfe and Mr Coates, who were down at Mr Symonds's, and saw us go down.


Great praise is due to them, and to Mr Symonds also, for the exertions they made on our behalf, and for the promptitude with which they acted against wind and tide. We have been searching for the body ever since, and dragged the river, but without success.


I remain, dear sir, most truly yours


Lionel de Labrosse

Daily Southern Cross 25th October 1867


Further notes. From the description of the vessels' location and the assistance of J. Symonds (who had a timber mill at Whakapirau) I am taking an educated guess that the Mosquito sank just near Whakapirau Beach. Per haps she still lies beneath the harbour sands waiting to be rediscovered.

Comments

Jayne said…
Oh, what a sad end for the bloke.
It would be interesting if the wreck were found.
Used to watch the NZ TV series Epitaph and the other one hosted by the same bloke (Paul Gittins), Shipwreck.
Timespanner said…
Is that Lionel de Labrosse the same one who dropped dead in his whare at the Wairakau flaxmills, down Te Aroha way, July 1889?
Liz said…
Hi Jayne Yeah weren't they great series love them!!! It would be interesting!!

Ice yes it is the one and the same Lionel de Labrosse that died at the Flax Mill in Te Aroha. Epilepsy was most likely the cause but sometime I'll get his death certificate from BDM and see what the cause was. Dick Scott had noted the sinking of the boat but had put down that it was the first mate that had drowned. No it was the builder of the boat
Timespanner said…
I reckon your research into the northern shipwrecks is great, Liz. Many of the ones you've mentioned so far aren't covered by the main text of this topic -- "New Zealand Shipwrecks".
Jayne said…
There's a blog award waiting for you over on my blog, Liz ;)
Liz said…
Yo Ice!!! Hey thanks for your support on this. I LOVE Shipwrecks!!! Heck this will end up as a shipwrecks blog at this rate then again...well does it matter?Nah. More to come. Interesting you mentioned some aren't in the shipwrecks book. I have a list from the Dargaville Museum which was supplied by the Dept of Internal Affairs. Heaps are missing. I guess not everything was noted.

Hi Jayne!! Hey thank you! I'll get over as soon as I can. Just writing a heaps of articles and redoing the blog templates. Yeah you'll be getting some awards from me as well two to be exact. I have to visit Rae and Leslie's blogs to nab em Sorry I haven't been commenting. You've done some great posts so has Lisa aka Ice Wolf. Cool cool cool stuff

Take care guys
I'll catch up as soon as I can
Hugs
Liz
Tim Hanna said…
Lionel De labrosse was my great great great grandfather. Reading his letter is absolutely astounding. I was told that he died of a deadly lung infection possibly as a result of working in the Chelsea Sugar Refinery.
I own a boat built in 1897 and old boats are of great interest to me. Finding his would be fantastic.
Tim Hanna
Liz said…
Hi Tim

Wow that is fantastic. I've been told the remains of the Mosquito are in the mangroves further up the river towards Paparoa. There are locals around who do know where it is. I'll ask around and try and find out who you can contact with a boat who can take you to its location. Lionel actually ended up working down in Te Aroha as an engineer at a Flax mill. He died sadly on site after falling ill. He was found dead in his tent the next day. You can email me at crewmadbushfarm@gmail.com

Cheers Liz
Tim Hanna said…
Hi Liz,
It has been a longtime since I last posted something here but I am so glad to see your wonderful work continues. I have been busy at our pub down here in Lumsden but will be going North soon to complete the restoration of my 1897 Logan Huria - currently on the hard at Whangateau, I will be staying with my Uncle in Waipu and would love to take the opportunity to meet you some time. I am still extremely interested in any information about the location of my Great Great grandfather's boat The Mosquito.
all the best
Tim Hanna
timhanna@maxnret.co.nz

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