THE WRECK OF THE SORATA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2047, 15 September 1880, Page 3

THE WRECK OF THE SORATA.

fpsa PBBBS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL WISE.] AUCKLAND, September 14. An Adelaide correspondent, writing under date September 4th, states: —About ten on Friday night a telegram reached the Semaphore from Cape Jervis, that the Orient steamship Sorata was aground. The Government instructed the harbor-master to proceed to the scene. The Yatalla tug was first away, but was soon passed by the steamer Adelaide, which was commissioned to take a lighter down. It was afternoon when the steamer passed the north-west bluff. An occasional puff of smoke over the land showed the position of the Sorata. Hardly her own length intervened between the figure head and "the rocky coast. Her head appeared to be about south-east. At this point, which is at most a mile from the lighthouse, the coast line is not precipitous, but from a high elevation descends gently to the water line. The steamer bad left the roads, and made her way down the gulf in magnificent style, but on turning the point at Caps Jervis had suddenly pulled up. Tho nght was without moon, but the stars were bright. When at nine o'clock the course was shifted, the passengers were all about the deck, and some noted how close the land appeared to be. The vessel’s rate of full speed was then suddenly checked by a violent concussion and stopped. The force of the shock is described as being similar to grounding on a coral reef. When the lighter part of the reef gave way, and the bed of the rook brought up the vessel with a sudden jerk there was no appearance of consternation among the passengers, and the master having made a little speech from the bridge quietly assured everybody that no immediate danger was to be anticipated. Shortly afterwards the steamer Woononga turned up and offered to assist the stranded ship. It was almost low water when she struck, and it was resolved to accept the offer. Meanwhile the ship’s boats were lowered, and a fire lighted in the steam cutter, and preparations made to land the passengers. The first boat down made an attempt to reach the shore in a -straight line, but the surf against the rocks was too heavy. She was fortunate enough to fall in with the lighthouse boat, and was directed to the harbor. The people wore nearly all taken out of the ship, some to the lighthouse, while others sought quarters with Mr Christie; but next morning all were again returned on board the Sorata, under the impression that next tide would float her off. On steaming alongside the Adelaide made fast a hawser and joined her power to that of the Sorata. The towlines were stretched to their greatest power, and the Sorata’s engines were going full speed astern ; but as tho tide had passed its highest point their efforts proved futile. The Sorota listed heavily over to starboard and then uprighted, but never made any great move astern. Anchors were let go from forward, and the cables were run out in order to lighten the vessel, but she seemed to be hung in the midships section. As soon as the tide had run down to the first quarter-ebb, she swung violently round till her head was at right angles to the coast-line. The impression gained ground that the vessel was leaking, and the passengers became urgent in their entreaties to bo taken off tho ship. Towards sundown the Yatalla was hauled alongside and took on board the Duke of Manchester and some other saloon passengers, with the intention of steaming towards the north-west bluff to intercept tho departure of the Lady Diana. This had such an effect on the remaining passengers that when the Adelaide was taken alongside the passengers ; made a rush, and in a very short time the tug was completely full. After sunset the scene i was most impressive, for close to the rooky i line of coast wore more vessels than were over before in the locality. Some persons ashore set fire to the undergrowth, which emitted fitful flsmgp and sent up dense clouds of smoke. As darkness approached the surroundings were more interesting, and tho long hull of the stranded ship, illuminated from end to ond, formed the centre of a strange picture. The clang and clash of discharging cargo into lighters showed that men were hard at work. Throughout the first night the crew worked hard and uncomplainingly, seeing how much depended on their united , efforts. On the second night, while discharging cargo wont on as before, there was , an appearance of change in the weather, and i large ominous clouds promised very badly for future operations. The leakage in the Sorata had been unwisely kept quiet, but it very soon became a serious matter, having increased from 3 ft. to 4ft. 9ln. in one compartment. As soon as the people were safely out of the ill-fated ship it became known that her foro compartment was fall of water, and the injury to her bottom plating hod been so serious that there was little hope of her being got off. The third-class passengers were safely put on board the Adelaide, which had anchored a short distance away, and the remainder were taken aboard the Yatalla. As the vast ship lay on the rocks, with a slight port list, she was lighted up as usual, but the corridors were vacant, save here and there some person rushing to save a trunk or forgotten hat box. As tide made down it at first had but a slight effect, but after a little time it ■ caught the vessel on her port quarter, and slewed her slowly round. _ A little later on there were some convulsions forward, and it was evident that tho vessel had opened out to such an extent as to allow free passage to the tide. The weather bad completely changed, and a strong breeze brought down a very short, jumpy sea, which on the ebb tide created commotion as it swept past the big ship, and all hope of getting her off passed away, tho hold being full of water, especially as it was considered likely that her bottom was pierced in every direction. She lay completely end on to tho shore, with her bowsprit almost overhanging high water ■ mark. Under her stem post there was plenty of water, but through the force of striking ■ and subsequently slewing around, her bows were very much raised.