The Elingamite.

Manawatu Herald, 15 November 1902, Page 2

The Elingamite.

Dr Beattie, of the asylum, gives the following account of the wreck l--~ The Elmgamite struck one of the Three Kings about half-past ten on Sunday morning, during a dense fog. The captain was on the bridge, and a man was on the look-out, but the breakers were not observed until the steamer was almost on the rocks. The engines were stopped rapidly, which caused me to look over the port side, when I saw high, towering rocks, towards which the steamer was slowly moving. She bumped softly at first, but soon the crash ' became appalling. Within half an hour the decks were half under water. Several boats got away safely. Miss Anderson and myself, with several others whose names I do not know, got into what we believed was the last boat that could be launched. We were then fairly waisthigh in water on deck, and remained there only with difficulty. We were only a short time on the boat when she swamped and capsized. By this time the last lifeboat had been launched, which could not be done previously. All the ropes were already cut. As the boat floated gently off, five or six passengers' who were on the upper deck stepped into her. Tire boat made for us. Miss Anderson was first picked up, then tnvself, then a few other passengers and soon after the first and second mates, who at once assumed command. All the other boats had by this time disappeared. We remained to pick up all the passengers seen floating on the wreckage. Wo numbered 45 all, and one dead body. We set sail to find Cape Maria light, but the night being misty, failed to find it. We waited anxiously for daylight, but the mist continued- About 8 a.m. the mist cleared slightly for only a few minutes, and we were unable to find land. We then set out on our course again, and landed on a sandy beach at Cape Kowfaai, about half-past 12 p.tn. We were twenty-five hours in the open boat, and were much cramped and extremely cold. The boat sailed probably considerably over too knots. Late in the afternoon on Sunday we sighted a boat, believed to be the captain’s, apparently making for Cape Maria, but soon lost sight of her again. We saw no other boats after starting out. Several passengers floated away on rafts. Five were leit on the steamer. We passed four or five dead bodies before clearing the wreckage. The steamer was obviously a total wreck. Practically all on board kept cool and the behaviour of officers and men was heroic. One seaman asked us not to take him on board until all the others had been picked up. All the passengers landed are well, but somewhat exhausted. Maoris and pakehas alike treated us splendidly. The Secretary to the Post Office wired up yesterday: — Man-of-war has picked up raft containing 16 souls from the Elingamite, eight of whom are still alive and recovering* rapidly. >