The Late Shipping Calamity

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 36, 6 September 1884, Page 3

The Late Shipping Calamity

STILL FURTHER PARTICULARS.

A TALE OF TERRIBLE

SUFFEBING.

PKB ONTTKD PBES3 ASSOCIATION.

Wellington. This Day

Bobert Bobertson, carpenter of the Lastingham, has made a statement. He says the ship struck about 1060. He ran forward and found the ship right up ou the rocks. Somebody said the chief officer had given orders, '• everyone for himself," but he did not hear him. When he got forward he found several of the crew clambering along the .ibboorn and dropping on the rock beneath. He followed, and found himself safe. People were running in all directions. Those on shore saw a crowd on the poop, and called to them to save themselves as they had done. It is believed the captain's wife below at the time. The ship hung on the rock three or four minutes, and then slipped into deep water. A terrible surf commenced to break over her, and sent her broadside on. She rolled heavily, and commenced to settle down. Several I human beings were seen in the main ng7 ging. Several made attempts to get ashore with ropes round their bodies, but soon became exhausted, and were hauled on board agniu. The ship then commenced breaking up. and a heavy sea carried away the deck house, smashing the boats and carrying them awsy. The mam and mizzen roval masts followed. Some of the party then found Graves and Freyer, who had been washed asliore, and these were assisted on to the rocks* A heavy sea continued to make breeches over her. The main mast was carried away and the fore mast followed, tearing up the decks. The sea was covered with wreckage and they distinctly heard cries for help. The vessel then gave several heavy lurches, the mizzen mast still standing. They watched till dav break to see if any survivors came ashore on' the wreckage, but there were none. A touching incident is described by Grove, A 8.. who bays before he left the vessel he went below to ask the captain's advice. The captain was seated at the cabinet table with his arm around his wife's waist and they were both uo to their bodies in ! water. The captain did not answer him, and Grove went back to the poop, shook hands with all gathered there, and then jumped overboard and got safe ashore.