THE SINKING OF THE ST VINCENT
SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 1869
IN PALLISER BAY AFTER HITTING THE MOKOMOKO ROCKS, CAPE CAMPBELL

According to the (Christchurch) Star newspaper of 17 February 1869 (p2colA) the passenger Mr McKAY had been a passenger from England on the Melita (to Wellington), having come out to New Zealand for the benefit of his health. He intended to return by the Melita. Wishing to see Canterbury and having plenty of time on his hands before the Melita sailed for her homeward voyage, he preferred coming to Lyttelton in a sailing vessel and so took a passage in the St Vincent. He was a young man, about 25 years of age, and leaves a wife and family in London.

In a letter to the Editor of the Evening Post on the 3 March 1869 (p2) it says: - Sir — A report being in circulation that Mr STRINGER, late chief officer of the ill-fated St Vincent, was formerly mate of the Snaresbrook, I beg to give it an unqualified contradiction. The mate of the Snaresbrook was named STRAKER, and is not now, I believe in the colony. Mr STRINGER arrived in New Zealand as second mate of the Wild Duck in 1862, he returned as chief officer of that vessel the same years, he was afterwards chief officer and captain of the Chili, on this coast. He went to England, and after remaining a year there, returned in the St Vincent.
I am etc
J W JORDAN
Wellington, 3rd March.

The following is a list of those who have already subscribed for the relief of the sufferers of the wreck of the St Vincent: - (Evening Post 18 Feb 1869)