THE FOUNDERING OF THE WESTPORT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 621, 27 June 1882, Page 2

THE FOUNDERING OF THE WESTPORT.

[I'UBSS ASSOCIATION TKLEGKAM.] Blenheim, June 22. The craw of the Westport arrived in town at two o'clock. The following information concerning the witck is gathered from Captain Gibbs. The Wostporr left Lyttelton at 5 a.m. on Sunday. At, 7 p.m. was abreaut of Waipapa, when it commenced to freshen from the northward. Captain Gibbts put bactt into HaJi' Alo>>)) Bay and anchored for die night. Got dndijrweiY'h at 6 a.m. 011 Monday, and passed Kckeraiigti a out 11 a.m. The wind cairns on trash from N.W., and the Westport audiurßil under Flag Rocks. On Tuesday morning the sea looked veiy unpleasant, out it appeared i.hat the wind would be from the N.E. Got underweigh at 7.00, and proceeded past Cape Campboll at ten o'clock. The sea was then smooth. When eight miles further north it commenced to blow from the northwe-r stiffly. The .sea getting up rapid'y Captain Gibbs deemed it advisable to return back under the sheitor of Cape Campbell as the centrifugal pump was not working very well. In turning the ship made some heavy lurches, pitched everything in tlie hi-!;! to lee side, and went over on her beam ends. She lay there perfectly unuiuiingeabie. (She lay so much on one side that the coal would not lay on its bars, and as a consequence the steam went down. Captain Gibbs madu numerous efforts to right the ahip, but without avail. The engine on deck which drove the centrifugal pump also shifted. Tho Westport hiy like this for neariy three hours, drifting to the southward, and making water all the time. All hands were yes to work baling out the water with buckets and tubs. A sea smashed a boat on the lee davits. Li order to try and get some coals on the lires, two men were lashed to the stoko hole. A little steam was got up, and the vessel was got to forge ahead a little, being steered by canvas for Cape Campbell. The steamer just fetched the FhixDOurne anchorage, below Cape Cmiuijbell, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Captain Gibbs still Lad hopes of saving the ship, and he determined to let go the anchor as soon as soundings could be obtained, and make a final effort. The anchor was let go off Fiaxbourue in ten fathoms. The engineer made a survey of the. damage done to the centrifugal pump engine, and reported thai it was impossible, to it. The water which had been gaining fiu.t was now level with the lee side. Captain Gibbs ordered the remaining two boats which were on the weather side to be lowered away. Ho then held a consultation with the officers and engineer as to the condition of the ship, and finally (Ja;:>fH,m (jil)i-«<;amc to the conclusion that it was impossible to beach the ship, she being under no control. Night waa coining 011 and a heavy gale blowing, and the steamer was fast settling down by the head. Captain Gibbs then give ordora to man the boats, and after all were safely in then went in himself. This was live o'clock. The boats r-.dda for the leeside of the reei: at Flaxbouine, and reached the beach just at diwk. The captain and crew lost everything. Captain Giubs speaks highly of the kindness he and hie men experienced at Fhixbourno. Betoro leaving the Westport the bulkhead of the engineroom had given out.