WRECK OF THE CHARLES EDWARD

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2145, 22 March 1870, Page 2

WRECK OF THE CHARLES EDWARD

AT MARTIN’S B\Y. (From the West Coast Times, 1 Gth inst.) We regret to state that information reached this town last night of the wreck of the Charles Edward at Martin’s Bay, where she had proceeded for the purpose of landing a survey party. The wreck was caused by means of a snag, which tho vessel struck while coming down the river, after landing the survey party at I heir destination. The information was brought here by Captain Holmes, the master of the vessel, who, with Mr Bonnet, the purser, and a boat’s crew, came up the coast in one of the ship’s lifeboats, and were picked up outside the bar by the Kennedy, which vessel was on her way to search for tho Charles Edward. Capt. Holmes has kindly furnished us with the following report of the catastrophe :

The steamer Charles Edward left Dunedin, February 21st, with cargo and surveyors for Martin’s Bay, and a few persons who we at down to look a t the place, some passengers for Grey mouth, and also the .Dunedin Harbor Master. Anchored at Otago Heads at 4.30 p-m, with a gale from S. W. At 2 p.m. on the 22ud left the Heads, and arrived at Bluff Harbor at 9 p.m. same day. Left again on the 24th at 9 p.m, arriving at Martin’s Bay on Saturday, tho 26th, at 11 a.m. Experienced strong head winds from the Bluff to Martin’s Bay, but struck on tho bank about a mile up the river. Not being acquainted with the channel, Captain Thompson, the Dunedin Harbor Master, made a survey of it next day with the boat. At 9 p.m. on Monday, the 28th, steamed up to Lake M'Kerrow, aud landed the survey party', with their provisions, and timber to build a house, returning to the boat the same afternoon. At 3 pm., the vessel going dead slow, struck a snag on the larboard, holing the'vessel. At once ran the vessed on the bank, and found the steerage and forehold filling. Immediately got tho cargo from the forehold on dock. The engines were all the time pumping the water out of the hold. The engines were kept at work pumping throughout the night. On Tuesday, March 1, commenced landing remainder of cargo, and found the water still gaining, and vessel settling down by the head in the sand. At 11 a.m. t lie water had increased so much as to put out the fires. Immediately gob provisions on shore and the passengers, and also landed the cargo out of the after-hold. At 6 p.m, tlxe crew left the ship, and' fitted up touts on shore with the sails. On Wednesday, the 2nd, Captain Thomson and Mr Thompson, surveyor, agreed to try' and go over from the head of tho Lake to Queenstown, for tho purpo; e of forwarding telegrams to Nelson and Dunedin. At 11 a.m, the vessel took a list to starboard, and settled down aft. 'Thursday, the 3rd, the crew were engaged stripping the ship. On the 4th, Captain Thompson returned, not being able, to stand the overland trip, while Mr Thompson and another of the surveyors continued on the journey'. On Saturday, the slh, Mr Thompson and men came down to

the vessel, saying it was impossible to get overlaud on account of the high state of the rivers. On the 6th everything was done to make the people comfortable on shore, it blowing heavy with rain. The same kind of weather continued throughout the next day. On the Bth, Captain Thompson, the mate of the vessel, and boat’s crew, went up to try and induce the survey party to make another attempt to reach Queenstown, but they said it was no use trying, as the rivers were still too high. On March the 9th, commenced to tit up the lifeboat to try and reach the Hokitika roadstead. The next day Captain Holmes left the encampment with the boat, four hands, and Mr Bonnet, the purser. When the party started every one was in good health and well provided with the necessaries of life, and all being full of hope that they would speedily receive succour. . On clearing Martin's Bay, met with head winds and thick rainy weather; at 3 p.m. the same day put into the Gorge River, and found a party of diggers there, fr.>m which we received every kindness. The weather still continuing adi verse, remained until the next day. On the I 12th, left the Gorge River with clear weather and a light S. W. breeze. At 2 p.m. reached Jackson’s Bay, and camped there for the night. On the 13th left the Bay at 4 a.m., with light airs and calm weather. At 9 p.m. beached, and camped for the night at a small bay next to Bruce Bay. On the I4th, at 10 a.m., put to sea again with a moderate fair wind. At 4 p.m. passed Okarita, with light head winds throughout the night. On the 15th experienced light favorable winds. At 7 p.m. met the s.s. Kennedy, three mil;s south of the Hokitika bar, and were at once taken on board, and the steamer, which was on her way to search for the Charles Edward, returned to port. Captain Holmes informs us that he has every hope of raising the vessel, the only injury received being in the port bow ; and when the Kennedy, which leaves this morning, readies the bay, an attempt will be made by sinking the latter (which is in compartments) alongside, for the purpose of raising her bow out of the water, and by that means reaching the hole, which can easily be closed, and by pumping the water out. it is expected the vessel will float. The following is the list of passengers, supplied to us by Mr Benuet, the purser : Rev. J. MTntosh, Mrs MTntosh, seven children, and servant, for the Grey; Mr Goldsmith, Mr Whitworth, and Captain Thompson. She had also on board about 40 tons of cargo.

The following letter has been received in town from the Kev. Mr MTntosh, who is coming here to establish a Presbyterian Church :

“ My Dear Sir, —You will doubtless be very sorry to hear that the steamer Charles Edward was wrecked List Monday we k, at Holliford. She seems to be settling down. The cargo was partially taken out, but much damaged. We have lost nearly everything. The furniture has been broken and destroyed ; but, thank God, our lives have been spared. We have suffered dreadfully through wet and cold. We have camped on the beach under a sail for eleven days, and you may suppose the state Mrs MTntosh is in. A volunteer party" starts to-day in a boat for.Hokitika, and I send this note by them. Unfortunately we did not insure, and I would not take L2OO for the loss.”