WRECK OF THE BANSHEE.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 576, 24 April 1876, Page 3

WRECK OF THE BANSHEE.

{Cleveland Bay Bxjyress, March 29.) Mr Eliot Mullins gives the following graphic account of. the late lamentable wreck of the steamer Banshee, off Hinchinbrook Island : All went well till noon, when the wind increased, and by 3 pm, it was blowing a furious S.B. gale. At a quarter past three I heard the awful cry, “ We are going ashore.” I was reading in the saloon at the time, and jumped up and rushed on the main deck. The rocks were right ahead—about forty yards distant. At that instant we struck aft on a rock, passed over it, and went right ashore broadside on to the rocks. There was no confusion, though the sea was breaking over part of the vessel. I rushed on to the bridge, and taking advantage of the roll inshore of the vessel, jumped to a rock, but was immediately washed away to one lower down, to which I managed to cling, and then scrambled up unhurt. I turned round, and at that moment the saloon on deck was dashed to pieces, burying beneath it all the women and children, except Miss James, the stewardess, who escaped by clinging to n rope, and, being washed in, was dragged ashore by Peter Connell, fireman, assisted by the captain. At this time the scene was fearful, masts, funnel, deckhouses all swept away, and men, women, children, and horses being crushed together between the hull of the vessel and the rocks. In eight minutes all was over, and all that remained of the Banshee was a small portion * '■he bows and stern; Antonio, the colored °f and a stowaway, bad a miraculous cook, They were unable to leave the escape. 'H© wreck was washed on to the vessel till t. 4 dry, when they both coolly rocks high anu We found the land to be walked ashore. 'chinbrook Island. We Cape Sandwich, Hin across the island, and then started in a body . ' xqq miles from the camped about two or tn hfc n big fire, bat wreck. We managed to lig. 4we had but it was raining in torrents, am. five pipes one small tin of tobacco and that amongst us. What a horrible nij. brings was; one lady, who bore her soft. -fid without a murmur, and thirty-two v; , haggard-looking men camped on the soak ing wet grass. It seemed like five nights rolled into one, and nearly every quarter of an hour Mr Burstall was appealed to for the time,

At daylight on the 2?nd (Wednesday) twelve of ua started off for the wreck to try and obtain provisions. We found only a bag of pumpkins, a ham. and a tin, supposed to be preserved beef. It was on my way back that I nearly fell exhausted, and had it not been for Bourke and Taylor, who relieved mo of my load of pumpkin, I shoul i not have reached camp. We were quite knocked up, as most of ua had had no food since leaving Townsville, and had touched nothing on the steamer on account of sea sickness. We, however, greedily eat the pumpkins raw, and then opened the tin. Disappointment was terribly depicted on every face when it was discovered to be only salt butter. It was now nine a.ra., and the captain called for volunteers to walk about fifteen miles to a point opposite Cardwell, and try to bring assistance. Six men immediately volunteered. These have since been picked up by the steamship Leichardt. and forwarded to Groktown. After an hour’s spell, the remaining twentyseven, including poor Hugh Hughes, who was terribly crushed by the funnel of the steamer, shifted camp to a point quite close to the wreck. At 12 noon the wreck was again visited, and this time wi'h more success, for we obtained a dead sheep, which was cut out of the hold, and some tobacco and clothing. We boilel the mutton in a kerosene tin, and were not particular as to it a being done, but swallowed it down piecemeal. Two bodies were found, those of Mrs Davoy and Mrs Welsh, terribly crushed. These were buried as wall as possible, one in the sand and the other amongst the rocks The beach below the wreck was thick with wreckage, and two horses were found dead. Every one lost, everything except what he stood up in. About 4 p.m. there was another visit to the wreck, and everyone looked joyful, and some even ventured to smile, as we saw two men returning with a 501 b bag of flour. Things were looking decidedly brighter, and Mr Burs! all made an admirable cook, and soon had thirty doughboys boiling in our kerosene tin. How heartily we enjoyed those none hut shipwrecked men can know, and little did we think our deliverance was near. But the hand of God was working for us shipwrecked men, for about six o’clock there was a joyful cry of “ Sail ho !” There was a rush to see if it was true, and true it was. It was only the work of an instant to hoist a largo piece of red flannel on a pole to form a signal. In five minutes they saw our signal, and up went the schooner’s ensign to cheer our hearts. Soon she gent in one of her boats, whilst herself lay off and on oil Eva Island. By 10 p.m. we were all safely on board the schooner Spunkie, from Daiutree to Townsville, for orders. On board we were treated with every kindness, the captain making us swallow two cups of hot tea, and then he and the mate gave up their berths for us to sleep in. Whilst on board I found out how they so soon sighted our flag. Mr Hockaday, the mate, possessed a splendid glass, and he had such a passion f r looking through it that it was quite a joke with the crew about Mr Hockaday and bis glass. Little did they think it was to do such service that afternoon, for to that glass we probably owe our lives. We had a very pleasant sail from barren Hinchinbrook, which was left without regret, and it was whilst on board that I took down the names of the lost and saved which appeared in Saturday’s issue, Wa reached Townsville about tea time on Thursday, and were all safely landed. Never will the shipwrecked men of the steamer Banshee forget the very great kindness of Captain Halcrow and his crew.