Brig GEORGE HENDERSON

During last night the raupo barracks, recently built near the Henui bridge, and until lately occupied by the light company
of the 65th, were burnt, and also Mr Flight's (the Resident Magistrate) and others in the direction of Waiwakaiho. Some
fires were seen at Omata last night. Weather stormy, with heavy showers of rain. At noon the wind blew fiercely from
the W.N.W., and as the brig "George Henderson" had not put to sea, great fears were entertained for her safety, and 
she was signalled to put to sea, but for some reason or other, not explained, she continued to hold on, one or two 
heavy squalls with a heavy sea, about this time, parted one of her cables, for before 1 o'clock her ensign was hoisted 
union down, and she was noticed to be rapidly drifting towards the Henui beach, while the seas made a complete breach
over her. Great excitement prevailed in town, and crowds of people hastened to the beach, hoping to render assistance
to the crew of the helpless brig if possible. In less than an hour she drifted more than a mile, and on nearing the beach 
was seen to have two anchors out. At 1 she was abreast of the Henui cliffs, where she was within the breakers, and 
straining fearfully at her anchors. At 2 the wind suddenly veered to the W., and abated considerably. The brig, although 
in fearful proximity to the shore, seemed at last to have found good holding ground, for she remained stationary for 
some time, and some hopes were felt that she might yet be saved. She was signalled from the shore, and told to set 
her fore-and-aft sails, but this was impossible in the heavy sea, and after the lapse of half-an-hour she again dragged, 
and soon after was seen to slip her cables and hoist her jib, when she steered for the low sandy beach near the mouth
of the Henui river, about a mile and a half from town, where she grounded all standing and broached to, the surf 
breaking completely over her. A large armed party of blue-jackets with one gun, and rockets, in command of 
Commodore Loring, military, militia, and volunteers were on the beach where she grounded, and a rope having been 
sent ashore by the captain, and attached to the beach, the crew all safely landed, Captain James being the last to leave
his unfortunate brig. She came ashore at nearly low water, so that she cannot be stripped till to-morrow, when it is 
hoped she will be driven further up the beach and be left high and dry at low water. We hear that the Government 
contemplated chartering the "George Henderson" to convey 150 passengers to Nelson, and was to be fitted up for 
the purpose. She is almost a new vessel, belonging to Captain James, and is only insured, we regret to say, for half her 
value. A large body of natives were seen in the vicinity of the Henui river soon after the vessel grounded, and the 
"assembly" was sounded in town, and to-night a force consisting of military, militia, and volunteers have gone out to 
Henui and may probably surprise the rebels in an attempt to plunder the wreck during the night. There is no hope of 
the brig being got off.

Transcibed from the Taranaki Herald, of 18 August 1860, Page 2