WRECK OF THE S.S. OTAGO.

Evening Star, Issue 4299, 6 December 1876, Page 2

WRECK OF THE S.S. OTAGO.

That soma accident had befallen this fine Vessel was conjectured on Monday when her non-arrival at the Bluff wai telegraphed. But no one supposed for a moment that what actually happened had taken place: that the steamer on a fine morning had, either through some fault of the compasses, negligence, error of observation, thick weather,°or other cause, become virtually a total wreck. All doubts, however, were soon removed by successive messages received in town, the first of which a telegram from Edendale, Mataura, to the resident agents —we published yesterday. They, as stated yesterday, at once telegraphed orders to the Bluff for the Fxpress (Captain Christian) to proceed to the wreck, calling at Waikawa to pick up the boat’s crew that had conveyed the information to Edendale. Meantime, the arrival of the ketch Palmerston (Captain Brebner), from Invercargill, placed the public in possession of the simple story of the wreck as related by Captain Calder. Captain Brebner, coasting along, had seen the smoke of the fires lighted by the shipwrecked people, and had gone in close enough to allow a boat to put off and communicate the bare facts. Captain Brebner expressed his willingness to render such assistance as he could, but his offer was declined—the ketch being unfitted both by her small size and the fact that she was deeply loaded to take on board more than a few of the steamer’s company. So far by way of recapitulation. The subjoined further particulars are furnished by our special correspondent who left the Bluff yesterday per s.s. Express The first intimation of the loss of the Otago reached Invercargill about 10 o'clock and caused considerable excitement—a number of townspeople leaving by the 10.45 train for the Bluff with the intention of going to the wreck by the s.s. Express, which, it was at first understood, was to bring in the Otaga’a passengers to the Bluff. They were disappointed, however, for it turned out that tho steamer’s orders were to call Waikawa, go on to Chasland’s Baj, pick up the Otago’s passengers, and proceed to Dunedin. Consequently only Captain Thomson, Harbor-master at the Bluff, Mr Tucker (of Nichol and Tucker), and one or two other persons, including a constable, went with her. Leaving the Bluff about 1 p.m. on Tuesday, with the tide and a fair wind, the steamer made Waikawa about four ©’clock, only to find from the local pilot (Campbell) that the boat’s craw had started some time previously. Outside again—overtaking in about three quarters of an hour the “toilers of the sea” just mentioned. They were evidently not sorry to accept the preferred “ tow ” and some slight refreshment. Another half-hour or so and the wreck is sighted—in certainly one of the most apparently unlikely places in the world—the steamer’s bowsprit being hidden 111 tho foliage of the trees on a steep hill—it can scarcely be called a cliff—rising some 15uft or so from the sea-level. But the wonder ceases when the peculiar outline of the coast, which obtained for the place the name of Chasland’s Mistake, is considered. It may be best described as forming a sort of corner, around which coasting vessels turn when going to the westward. But instead of only one headland there are two, divided by a little bay—the entrance of a shallow river—with a rock rising some 30ft or 40ft, about the centre, in a line between the two headlands, which are not more than a mile asunder. It follows, of course, that any ship mistaking the first promontory for the second, and attempting to “ turn the corner,” would, at all events in thick weather, run into the second—not Chasland’s Mistake, but—well, so far as we are aware, the headland is unnamed. We do not go near enough to see more just now, the first business being to take off the passengers, whose camp on a sandy beach, about a quarter of a mile from the wreck, is plainly visible. In fact we are shortly boarded by (’apt, Calder, orders are given by (’apt. Christian to pass a tracking line ashore, and the work of embarcation goes on steadily and quietly, although a rather nasty surf renders it dangerous. Once, in fact, one ef the Otago’s boats—those of the Express are not required—is capsized returning to the shore, but her crew of three cleverly climb her sides and sit astride the keel until rescued by another boat. The male passengers appear to have rather enjoyed their experience —wet through, barefooted and hungry, they are still “ jolly as sandboys.” The ladies sean less cheerful—some are thoroughly exhausted and faint. The worst off are the little children—one tiny one—its father a widower—giving forth the most plaintive cries for impossible food, milk not being among the ship s stores. All having been taken on board, Captain Christian, Captain Calder, Captain Thomson (Harbor-master, Bluff), Mr Tucker, and “ Ours ” step into one of the boats and proceed to take—it is getting dark—a farewell look at the wreck. We get alongside with no more difficulty than that occasioned by the ground swell which comes in heavily at times, although the sea looks calm, and climb on board. There is everything standing, the vessel lying over on her port side, just so much as to render walking a matter of difficulty. Forward she is high and dry, amidships resting on a bed of ugly rocks, while aft there is something over four fathoms water. As we stand on the quarter deck a tremulous motion tells us that the two ends of the ship may part company at any moment, although the water is not yet up to the ceiling of the after saloon. It is nearly low tide now, however, but what it will look like next flood is quite another matter. Looking down the hatchway forward and into the engine-room we see daylight peeping up from below, and realise that before the Otago reached her last restingplace sho passed over jagged rocks that tore off the stout iron plates as if they had been cardboard. Nothing more can be done in the meantime, and so we return to the steamer, whence Captain Calder, mindful of the interests of “all concerned” and the fact that some 3,0000z5. of gold are somewhere below, proceeds in one of his own boats to the shore, cheer upon cheer following him from the passengers who have nothing but good to say of him, and cannot sufficiently express their sense of the calm courage displayed by him in the trying time they have gone through. The cause of the wreck has been already suggested, and but little can be said on the subject. The night was fine with occasional clouds. Towards daylight a heavy fog drifted down along the coast. The officer in charge at the time—the second mate-pre-sumably supposed the ship was clear of both headlands, or—and this is an important factor—the compasses were at fault, and the laud was run into. Five hundred yards more to the southward and all would have been well. The first intimation the passengers received was when about 2.30 a.m. the ship struck heavily and went grating over the rocks until brought up by the cliff. Then there was a rush on deck—in varied costume—but only a momentary panic, for Captain Calder, ably seconded by Mr Donald son, chief officer, maintained discipline and saw to the launching of the boats—an operation rendered difficult by the fact that the cliff on one side Was so close as to render it necessary to carry the boats across. Asa matter of fact all hands could have landed safely from the bows of the steamer, but the steepness of the cliff and consequent difficulty of moving about would have rendered their stay even lor a lew tours «lttest ua-

endurable. It was thought best to cross the little bay and laud them on the sandy bach at the other side. This done, provi- j sions and a few spare sails for shelter were ; obtained from the wreck, abd the passengers ! made as comfortable as possible. Meantime | a party, consisting of the chief mate (Donaldson) Messrs ."aunders and Melross, the I latter of whom fortunately possessed some ; knowledge of the coast, started with a ; crew of six for Waikawa. There they met with Mr Campbell, the pilot, under 1 whose kindly guidance they made their way ' to Haldane’s Beach, a distance of some ten ! miles, to a gold-miners’ camp, where a man was found willing (having two fresh horses) to undertake the journey to Edeudale (fifty- j three miles) with the brief telegram referred | to above. The party on their return spoke in the warmest terms of the kindly service rendered by Messrs Campbell and Haldane, who, to use their own words, “ could not do enough for them.” The first thing done by one of the Otago’s passengers (a Canterbury M.H.R.) when he found himself safely on board the s.s. Express, and outside a “ slight sensation ” was to make an attempt at a joke. Apostrophising himself he exclaimed “ I ought to have known better. What business had Xto take passage by the Otago. The Province abolished how could the namesake steamer* be expected to survive ?” Before closing this necessarily imperfect account of the wreck it may be-as well to describe more minut'.ly the position in which the Otago now lies. Those who have read the account of the wreck of the General Grant—and who has not ?—will remember that the ship drifted into a cave, or recess, on the bleak and- inhospitable shores of the Auckland islands. Saving that the coast line is less elevated and rugged—the hills rising only 300 or 400 feet, as compared with the 1,500 or 2,000 at the Aucklauds—tbe Otago actually ran into just such an indentation. A small creek running between steep banks debouches just on her starboard bow. If sbe bad ruu in two more Eoint to the northward she would have een fixed in a natural dock beyond the reach of the grinding swell that is now slowly but surely rending her iron frame. It may be added'that if due expedition be used, and weather permitting, there is no reason why everything valuable either in ship or cargo should not be saved.

PRESENTATION TO THE CAPTAIN. The cabin passengers met at the Douglas Hotel this afternoon and drew up a testimonial, as follows, for presentation to Capt. Calder Dunedin, December 6. To Captain J. E. Calder, — Sir,—We, the undersigned passengers by the steamship Otago, desire hereby to assure you that you have our profound sympathy in the unfortunate mishap which so deeply affects you. We beg to express our sincere gratitude for the promptness with which yon realised the critical nature of our situation, and for the decision and firmness wit hj which you pursued the only course that could lead to our safety. We desire to thank yon for the frankness, cheerfulness, and courtesy with which you answered all inquiries—conduct which begat in all concerned a composure and quiet confidence rare on such occasions. For the labor and danger encountered in taking off passengers’ luggage, and for your anxious efforts to make our temporary residence on a barren and bleak shore as endurable and comfortable as possible, we lie under a very heavy obligation to you. In conclusion we cannot refrain from expressing onr feeling that the way in which your arrangements were made and carried out adds to the reputation for care and skill you have so long enjoyed ; and we trust that In future, whatever may betide you, success, prosperity, and g >od fortune proportional e to your high deserts will ever attend yon. We desire further te make a hearty acknowledgment of the valuable services rendered by the chief officer and all the members of the crew. Mrs C. Patten Mr T. Hurt „ E. P. M'Mahon „ W. Melross „ H. Salier „ W. H. Joyce „ B. M'Cormick „ P. Brooke „ S. Clegg „ D. Petrie „ M. Brooke „ W. F. Sargison „ A. Martin „ J. A Sargison Miss K. Coshead „ Wm. Taylor ~ B. Coxhead „ H. Holder MrM. Somner „ J.T.Pisher.M.H.R „ A. T. Anderson ~ J. <s. Adamson C. T. M'Mahon „ T. Block ~ G. H. Arthur ~ J, Preston