THE FOUNDERING OF THE WESTPORT.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2561, 23 June 1882, Page 3

THE FOUNDERING OF THE WESTPORT.

fPEBBS ASSOCIATION TBLESBAM. ' BLENHEIM, June 22,

The crew of the Westport arrived in town at two o’clock. The following information concerning the wreck is .gathered from Captain Gibbs. The Westport left Lyttelton at 6 a.m. on Sunday. At 7 p.m. was abreast of Waipapa when it commenced to freshen from the northward. Captain Gibbs put back into Half Moon Bay and anchored for the sight. Got underwoigh at 6 a.m. on Monday, and passed Kekerangu about II a.m. The wind came on fresh from N. W., and the Westport anchored under Flag Bocks. On Tuesday morning the sea looted very unpleasant, but it appeared that the wind would be from the N.E. Got underweigh at 7.30, and proceeded past Oape Campbell at ten o’clock. The sea was then smooth. When eight miles further north it commenced to blow from the northwest stiffly. The sea getting up rapidly Captain Gibbs doamed it advisable to return back under the shelter of Oape Campbell, as the centrifugal pump was not working very well. In turning the ship made some heavy lurches, pitched everything in the hold to lea side, and went over on her beam ends. She lay there perfectly unmanageable. She lay so much on one side that the coal would not lay on its bars, and ns a consequence the steam went down. Captain Gibbs made numerous efforts to right the ship, but without avail. The engine on deck which drove the centrifugal pump also shifted. Tue Westport lay like this for nearly three hours, drifting to the southward, and making water all the time. All hands were set to work baling out the water with buckets and tubs. A sea smashed a boat on the lee davits. In order to try and get some coals on the fires, two men were lashed in the stoke bole. A little steam was got up, and the vessel was got to forge ahead a little, being steered by canvas for Oape Campbell. The steamer just

fetched the Melbourne anchorage, below Capo Campbell, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Cap tain Gibbs still had hopes of saving the ship, and he determined to let go the anchor as soon as soundings could bo obtained, and make a final effort. The anchor was let go off Flasbourae in ten fathoms. The engineer made a survey of the damage done tG the centrifugal pump engine, and reported that it was impossible to right it. The water which had been gaining fast was now level with too lee side. Captain Gibbs ordered the remaining two boats which were on the weather side to be lowered away. He then held a consultation witn the officers and engineer as to the condition of the ship, and finally Captain Gibbs caboo to the conclusion that it was impossible to beach the ship, she being under no control. Night was coming on and a heavy gale blowing, and the steamer was fast settling down by the head. Captain Gibbs then gave orders to man the boats, and after all were safely in then went in himself. This was at five o’clock. The boats made for the leeaide of the reef at Eiaxbourae, and reached the beach just at dark. The captain and crew lost everything. Captain Gibbs speaks highly of the kindness he and his men experienced at Flaxbourne. Before leaving the , Westport the bulkhead of the engine-room had given out.