SHIPWRECK.

Kumara Times, Issue 2561, 6 September 1884, Page 2

SHIPWRECK.

WRECK OF THE SHIP LASTINGHAM IN COOK STRAIT. LOSS OF EIGHTEEN LIVES. [united press association.] Wellington, September 5. Great excitement was caused in Wellington on the receipt of the intelligence that a terrible disaster had occurred in Cook Strait to the ship Lastingham, which was bound from London to Wellington. It appears the ship was driven on the Jackson Head, at north of Queen Charlotte Sound, by the exceedingly stormy weather that has prevailed during this week. Within less than two hours after sinking, the unfortunate vessel had entirely disappeared, eighteen human lives finding a watery grave. Mr Neill, chief officer, states that the Lastingham sighted the coast of New Zealand about 8 o’clock on the evening of Monday last, and in a little over 12 hours afterwards was a total wreck. Heavy weather prevailed at the time, and continued while the ship was driven ashore. The gale was of terrific force, and rain fell heavily for some hours previous to the accident, and land could not be seen for more than a mile ahead. Great efforts were made by the officers and crew to prevent the vessel from being stranded, but they were unable to cope with the elements, and at about 10 p.m. she was driven on to the rocks with great force, becoming a total wreck. The crew and passengers endeavoured to save themselves in various ways, some of them plunging into the boiling sea and striking out for shore, others springing from the vessel’s side on to some jutting rocks, while others tried to gain terra firma on anything which they thought might float and bear their weight. The scene was one of indescribable confusion, the wind howling, rain falling, the people shouting and running about, and the water dashing over the ship’s side and casting spray all over the decks. About midnight a muster of the survivors took place close to the spot where the remains of the Lastingham lay, and the discovery was made that no fewer than eighteen of those who were full of health and vigour two or three hours previously Were missing, having undoubtedly met a watery grave, the captain and his wife, and the whole of the passengers (five in number) being amongst these latter. The night was a bitterly cold one, and as the men found themselves without sufficient clothing or means of lighting a fire, no matches ,being available, they passed a most miserable time until morning. The wfyole of Tuesday, which was also a most unpleasant day, was spent in walking about the country for the purpose of ascertaining whether any habitations existed within a reasonable distance of the shore. None were found, however. Despite this discovery, three of the men, Chalmers, Ward, and and Alverez by name, got an idea into their heads that if they continued the journey a little further they would find some fellow creatures who would take pity upon them. Accordingly they separated from their companions with the intention of seeking succour ; they were not seen afterwards by those of the survivors who are now in Wellington, and it is difficult to say whether the two parties will ever meet again in the flesh, as the men were much exhausted. The privations endured by the survivors, 14 in number, during the time they were obliged to remain in the vicinity of Jackson’s Head were considerable, owing to the difficulties encountered in reaching the shore after the vessel struck, which none of the survivors were able to gain with anything whatever in their possession - } everything they possessed, money, clothes, and other personal effects were lost. The captain endeavoured, it is believed, to save the ship’s papers, but as he lost his life in attempting

to reach the shore with his wife, it is not likely that those articles will be recovered. The only articles of food which came on shore, and which were picked up on Tuesday morning, were a small piece of pickled pork, about 41bs. in weight, and a couple of packets of oatmeal and corn-flour. As already stated, the men were unable to light a fire, owing to the want of matches, and were obliged to satisfy the cravings of hunger by gnawing at the raw meat and drinking a mixture of corn-flour, oatmeal, and water, a quantity of the latter being discovered within a short distance of the scene of the wreck. This was the only food the survivors were able to obtain from the time of landing until they were rescued yesterday morning. The survivors one and all suffered keenly from the inclement weather of the first day, the clothing with which each was provided proving little or no protection against the bitterly cold wind which blew in from the sea. In addition, too, their garments were as wet as possible, and they were obliged to run up and down the shore in order to keep their blood in circulation. Wednesday broke fine and bright, and no time was lost in spreading their clothing out to dry in the sun. The men then had a refreshing sleep ; after enduring considerable misery and being without sleep for 36 hours, the whole of the men huddled themselves together under the rock and managed to keep each other warm till morning. After passing a comfortable night the men rose, and early yesterday morning were delighted to find that a small vessel was passing the very spot where they were encamped. A piece of blanket which had come ashore was affixed to a pole and waved to and fro on the shore. The signal was observed by those on board the vessel, which proved to be the little ketch Agnes, bound from Pelorus Sound to Kaiapoi, with a cargo of timber, and a boat was immediately lowered and sent on shore, the survivors of the Lastingham being quickly conveyed to the ketch, and on reaching the latter, Captain Jansen and his crew busied themselves in attending to the wants of their guests, providing them with food and clothing, both of which were appreciated. Those of the survivors who have reached Wellington speak in the highest terms as to the kindness shown them by the captain and crew of the Agnes. Athough Captain Jansen was on his way south with a full cargo, be considerately complied with the wish of the survivors and brought them into this port, which was reached at an early hour this

morning.

At the time of the rescue the men had almost given up all hope of being seen by the passing vessel. On Tuesday and Wednesday no fewer than five steamers were observed a short distance from land, but although signals of distress were made they were apparently not seen by anyone on board, as no effort was made to rescue the shipwrecked crew. What with cold and hunger they were thoroughly exhausted when taken on board the Agnes, and the chief officer stated that if they had been obliged to remain on that inhospitable coast another night he believed some of the party would have succumbed to the privations. The names of those saved are as follow John Neale (chief officer), John Barton (second mate), Riddle (steward), Robertson, (carpenter), and T, Groves, Courbere, P. W. Chambers, R. W. Munro, Donaldson, Ward, Chalmers, Alaverz (seamen), and Thomas and A. Fryer boys employed on board. The three last named men,. Ward, Chalmers, and Alaverz, are those who did not come over to Wellington in the Agnes. The whole of the passengers, five in number, were drowned. Their names are as follows :—Meakin, L. Russell, Nash, Davis, and Ginn. None of them were married, and it is understood that none of them were ever in New Zealand. The only female on board was the captain's wife, who is mentioned before. She also met a similar fate to those just enumerated. The following is a list of the names of the officers and crew drowned whilst aftemptin" to reach shore ;—Alex. Morrison (master), Henry Groves (third officer), Peter M'Gucre (cook), John Murray (sailor), C. R, Barnett, G. Lambeat, Crunden, J. Lee, J. Matthews, and WVJson (seamen), and Sharp and Pearce [two of the compliment of four boys the ship carried). The Lastingham was an iron vessel 1143 tons. She was built at West Hartlepool seven years ago by Messrs Grey and Co., and purchased by Messrs John Leslie and Co. about two years ago, hy whom she was owned at the time of I he wreck. The voyage which she was making when-she mot the accident on Monday was the second to this port, and as on the fomier occasion she was commanded l>v Captain Morrison, She w.ic with general

cargo and consigned to Levin and Co., and was about 96 days out when she was wrecked. She was under charter to Shaw, Saville, and Albion Company. She left London on the 28th of May, and experienced bad weather during the passage. Later. There is very little additional news relative to the Lastingbam. The Underwriters’ Association have chartered the steamer Napier, to proceed to the scene of the disaster for the purpose of recovering any property that may have floated ashore. The vessel will leave at two a.m. A rumour is afloat that the captain was not on deck at the moment the vessel struck, but there is nothing definite known, and probably nothing farther until the inquiry to-morrow.