WRECK OF H.M.S. ORPHEUS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 91, 20 February 1863, Page 3

WRECK OF H.M.S. ORPHEUS.

FEAEFUL CALAMITY!

ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTYSEVEN LIVES LOST. [From the Advertiser, Feb. 12.] Immediately on the arrival of the s.s. Wonga Wonga last evening, we hastened to issue an “ Extra ” containing such an account of the wreck of H.jVI.S. Orpheus, Commodore Burnett, as was supplied by a copy of the Nelson Colonist of the 10th inst. Having, however, ascertained that many of the particulars therein contained were incorrect we are now enabled to lay before our readers a detailed account of this terrible catastrophe, which has been courteously furnished to us by Mr. C. Wileston, steward of the Wonga, and who was, of course, an eye-wit-ness of all the appalling incidents which occured after the ill-fated vessel was reached by our steamer. The Orpheus was a fine ship, of 21 guns, carrying 254 of a ship’s company, all told, and was about to take the place of the Pelorus

as the flag-ship of the station, with Commander Burnett as the Commodore of the fleet. She was 8 days out from Sydney when the catastrophe occurred, and’had on board a large quantity of stores for the vessels on the station. The Wonga Wonga left the Onehunga wharf at noon on Saturday last, for Taranaki, Nelson, Picton, and Wellington. On arriving at the bar, at about 2 p.m., the same day, ICaptain Renner descried a vessel in the offing, apparently a man-of-war. The signal being up for the Wonga to take the South channel, she proceeded on her course. On getting well clear of the channel, Captain Renner again directed his attention to the vessel, which now appeared to be labouring heavily as if on shore. He then proceeded to the outer entrance of the North channel, and made signals to the vessel, inquiring whether he could be of any assistance, as it appeared to him that she was in a precarious position. Receiving no recognition of the signals which he made—and being unable to take the North channel in consequence of the tremendous sea that was raging —and noticing the men on board the man* of-war taking to the rigging, Captain Renner returned back to the pilot-station and found two boats—the pinnance and the cutter—which had been sent on shore from the illfated vessel with the ship’s papers and the mails. These boats were under the command of the second lieutenant of the Orpheus and had been successful in safely landing the papers and mails. ° Captain Renner, having now learned how matters stood, took the pilot on board his vessel, and taking the two boats in tow, proceeded tn the scene.of the disaster. Arrived there, an appalling sight met the gaze. The sea was making a clear breach over the vessel, which was laboring as though every moment she might be expected to go to pieces and the unfortunate officers and crew were clinging to the rigging with that tenacity which ever characterises a man holding on his last and only chance of life. The ff onga Wonga was run as close as practicable to the wreck, when the boats were cast away, and pulled as close as posssible to the jib-boom of the Orpheus. The officers in charge of the boats—the second lieutenant and a midshipman, whose names we have not been able to ascertain—now called upon the people on board the weeck to jump into the water, as the only means by when tlieie lives could be saved. The contingency was an awful one but yet many availed themselves of it, and courageously committed themselves to the water as their only prospect. These men were manfully rescued from the ragino- billows by their ship-mates in the boats—sorae of them cut and bruised in a frightful manner. Many of those remaining on the wreck were now washed overboard and drowned before any assistance could be rendered. At this stage of the awful occurrence, the scene is described to us as being most horrible to contemplate. There were scores of the unfortunate men clinging to the rigging, expecting every moment to be swept to the surging waves, almost without a hope but that it would be their ultimate fate. Their only chance of being saved was by jumping overboard into the boiling surf, and most of them were so exhausted as to be utterly unable to help themselves at all. During this time the Wonga was kept as close as possible to the remains of the ill-fated vessel, where she pitched fearfully. The boats belonging to the man-of-war, having picked up about fourteen of the unfortunates, returned to the Wonga and placed them on board, where every care and attention was bestowed upon them by Captain Renner and the crew of the steamer. Many of them were cut and wounded in a most frightful manner, while others were insensible from being so long in the water. Having placed these rescued men onboard the two boats—with their gallant crews again put off to the wreck, where they succeeded in rescuing several more from a watery grave. By this time the shades of evening began to close on the melancholy scene, and the°pilot, not deeming it prudent for the Wonga to remain in the position which she then occupied, proceeded a short distance into the channel and anchored. Now was the culminating point of the hopes of the unfortunate men on board the wreck, who, thinking the steamer was about to desert them, commenced crying in the most piteous manner for help. Their cries were most heartrending, and this awful scene made an impression upon the mind of every beholder which it will take a long time to eradicate. The night was dark and dreary, but the awful screeches of the miserable wretches, as they one by one fell into the water, or were washed overboard, were plainly discernible op

■board the steamer, and well was it understood that each one was the death-knell of a fellow-being. At about 9 o’clock, p.m./the foremast went by the board, carrying with it all those who had been clinging to it. Almost immediately afterwards the main and mizen masts followed, taking with them the remainder of the unfortunates. Now the exertions of the boats’ crews were severely tasked, and they knew not which way to turn, or who to render assistance to first. One by one the gallant fellows sunk to rise no more, while others more fortunate were lifted into the boats by their courageous and persevering shipmates. As an instance of the noble and courageous spirit displayed, we may mention that one of the captains of the mizen-top jumped out of the boat five or six times, and on each occasion succeeded in rescuing one of the unfortunate men, who would, uo doubt, have met a watery grave had it not been for the gallant assistance of their courageous comrade. We trust that such conduct as this will not be overlooked by those persons who have promotion in then.* gift. The boats continued their endeavors to rescue the unfortunate men, until 12’30a.m. when all hope of saving more was abandoned —the ill-fated Orpheus having almost totally disappeared. We may here mention that Captain Renner launched one of his boats, but it proved of no use, owing to its being too small to live in the sea which was raging at the time. The pinnace, under command of the second lieutenant —whose gallantry is highly spoken of —returned to the Wonga Wonga with several men whom she had saved, and the cutter, being unable to reach the steamer, proceeded to the pilot-station, where she safely landed seven more of those whom her gallant crew had been instrumental in saving from a watery grave. Amongst the latter was a son of Sir Henry Barkly, Governor of Victoria, w r ho had clung to a spar for two hours, until the boat’s crew rescued him ; this young man was a midshipman on board the Orpheus. Captain Renner burned blue lights, and showed other signals on board his vessel throughout the night, in the hope of attracting the attention of any unfortunate who might be still clinging to any part of the ■wreck. At daylight in the morning Captain Eenncr proceeded close to the wreck, a very small portion of which was discernible, when, seeing that he coidd he of no further assistance, he steamed towards the pilot station, where he met H.M. tender Avon, with Captain Jenkins, of H.M.S.S. Miranda, on board. It appears that, shortly after, the vessel went on shore, a whale-boat, belonging to the pilot-station, was manned and despatched totheMamikau with the news of the sad catastrophe. Hie fact was communicated to the officers on hoard H.M.S.S. Harrier, who at once forwarded a messenger to Captrin Jenkins, of H.M.S.S. Miranda, the senior officer of the station. Captain Jenkins lost no time in issuing orders for the Harrier and Aron to get steam up, and at once proceed to the scene of the disaster, both vessels being lying at the Manukau. In getting under weigh the Harrier took the ground, and was, in consequence, prevented going out. Captain Jenkins, however, went on board the Avon, and oteamed out, when, oil arriving at the Heads, they were met by the T Vonga Wonga returning. Captain Jenkins at once boarded the Wonga Wonga with the view of ascertaining how matters stood, and, finding that no further assistance could be rendered—that all had been done which human aid could do—he transhipped the [remnant of that unfortunate crew of the Orpheus into the Avon. He then proceeded to the pilot-station, and took on board the men who had gone on shore in the cutter. This being accomplished, the Avon steamed towards Onehunga about uoou, with the view of placing the unfortunate men rescued from the wreck under proper treatment for their recovery, and the Wonga Wonga proceeded on her passage. We omitted to mention above that one of the boats launched from the ill-fated Orpheus was capsized in consequence of being driven under the bower anchor. The fearful surge of the waves lifted her up, and, striking the anchor, she went over, immersing 42 unfortunate men into the deep, from which not a single one escaped. Commodore Burnett was last seen clinging the rigging, but is supposed to have been killed by a falling spar. The only officers saved were two lieutenants —one of whom was the heroic individual already mentioned, and the other Lieutenant Yo ung, who was on his way to join the Miranda —three midshipmen—and the paymaster of tho vessel. The carpenter and boatswain ■‘were also saved, arid the rest of the rescued men comprised a portion of the crow. . The total number of lives lost is 187, tho comparatively small number of 67 having been saved. ■ Although wo have beard-certain opinions- hazarded, it is not our intention, until in l possession of more reliable information, to offer any comment as to the causes which have led to this fearful catastrophe, and we would request our readers to forego giving any judgment on the sad affair until snob timems the matter-has been thoroughly sifted. ' ■; .V- " The wind was about W.S.W. . when the vessel vyeht on shore,, and it continued, a, strong. breeze ail 1 day, with aj'tfeiueridous sea running. ' We cannot’ fcld'Se buriaccount- of this lamentable catastrophey witleout -giving "apassing remark upon the. praiseworthy aud liiitnanc conduct of Captain Kenner, and the ship’s company of tho Wonga

Wonga. Wo learn that every superfluous article of clothing which could be mustered on board the little steamer was joyfully placed at the disposal of the unfortunate sufferers, and every endeavor was made to alleviate their sufferings. We sincerely trust that some more tangible proof of the public admiration of gallant deeds will be given, than it lies in our power to confer through the columns of this journal.