WRECK OF THE JESSIE ALICE CLYDE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4148, 7 November 1884, Page 3

WRECK OF THE JESSIE ALICE CLYDE.

Dtoedin, This day The following particulars are to hand of the above:—lt would seem that the Clyde went ashore about 4.30 a.m. On receipt of the news of the wreck Messrs Kinsey, Ward and Co., the ressel's agents, telegraphed to Akaroa orders for the steamer Akaroa to proceed to Horseshoe Bay, and that everything should be done for the comfort of the survivors. At 4 p.m. the steamer returned with the sad news that the barque had broken up, and nothing but wreckage could bo seen around the spot where she struck. Thus it appears, that the captain, his family, and all on board except the lad Gibson, 18 lives in all, have perished. One body was recovered, that of a boy about 14, •who was also an apprentice of the ship. It was arranged that the steamer Hawea should call at Akaroa Heads at G p.m. on her way south from'Lytfceltbn, in order to sec if the ill-fated barque could be got off, but the need for this no longer remains; The lad Gibson is detained at Akaroa for the inquest on the body that was picked up. Gibson is rather exhausted, and requires rest. Messrs Emsey, Ward and Co. are advised that it is doubtful if anything will be saved from the wreck, as the ship is in pieces. Gibson has telegraphed to the agents asking them to send a messago to his mother at Newccistle that ho is safe, and they have cabled to her through the owner, Mr J. Ellis, of Newcastle. Captain Tilhurst; surreyor to _ the Underwriters' Association, who left in the Hawea for the scene of the wreck, met with the steamer Akavoa at Akaroa Heads, and has returned by her to Lyttelton. The sea was very rough off the Head.? when the Akaroa went out, and the tops of the masts were all that was risible where the vessel sank. Horseshoe Bay is a small and extremely rocky inlet on the coagt, four miles from the south of Akaroa Heads. It is difficult of entry even fora boat. Inspector Peuder will despatch two constables to meet Sergeant Brooks at the head of the bay, whence they will proceed on horseback to the coast and do all that remains to be done—watch the bodies that may be cast ! ashore and see that they are decently buried. From the account of the lad Gibson _it appears that'the Clyde was from Dunedin, steering N.E. by half N. Nothing was visible to leewardJ About 4 o'clock this morning it was foggy, the sea beipg rather heavy, Gibson had turned in, and a few minutes later the niate told the off watch to be handy in five minutes. The man on watch then called out "landonthelee bow." All hands were called to put the ship about, but she missed stays. The captain tried to wear the vessel, heading her off. the land, but she struck amidships. A boat waslowered and the captain.ordered Gibson and another boy in to. bale. The captain put his wife and three children into the boat. The rail of the ship was then low down, and the stem of the boat caught under it and was swamped. 1 The woman and the child were dragged aboard the ship. [ Gibson seeing the mainmast failing, dived, and got to the spanker boom, and On board.' He saw the captain, bleeediug and stunned, floating with two children about the deck, which was under water. Gibson pulled the children out, and they, with the boastwain, the mate, and the others, got into another boat, which was smashed among the wreckage. Gibson aguin got on the spanker-boom, and saw the captain's body, arid a girl of ten years of age, float by. Gibson seized the child, but a heavy sea swept 6vef him, and he lost his hold of her. He then got on top of a deck-house drifting by, and. was carried into a little bay, from whence he to reaoh the. shore. - Ho walked some miles to Mr. M'Phaile's house, near Dunachello Bay, whenco tho news of the wreck was sent. Gibson afterwards returned/ to /the beach,-and waa taken on board the steamer Akaroft. : . ,i