WRECK OF THE STEAMER CHARLES EDWARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 68, 22 March 1870, Page 2

WRECK OF THE STEAMER CHARLES EDWARD.

The steamer Charles Edward, left Nelson on Tuesday, the 15th of February, bouud for Martin's Buy, via Foveaux Straits. Five weather was experienced to Capa Campbell, when a tremendous S.E. gale sprung up, delaying her arrival in LyMelton until 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Took in a cargo of produce for the West Coast, and sailed same night at eight; reached Port Chalmers late next day, and after coaling went up to Danediu wharf on Friday morning. She lay there until Monday the 21st- February, and left Port Chalmers at 3 p.m. with the Government survey party for Martin's Bay, consisting of Mr. Thompson, chief surveyor, Captain Thompson, harbormaster, and niue others, with six months' rations, a whaleboat and a skiff, A strong southwest gale detained her at the Heads until Tuesday morning. Arrived at the Bluff the same night. Fierce gales and continued rain rendered her departure impossible until Thursday, at 7 p.m. Encountered strong head winds, passed through Dusky and Breaksea Souud the next day, and arrived off Martin's Bay on Saturday, the 26th, at 10 a.m., crossing the bar and entering the river in the afternoon. Great difficulties presented themselves in the entrance, owing to sunken rocks on one side and a projecting sandspit on the other; the width of the first portion of the river also rendering the channel very intricate; but Capt. Holmes overcame all difficulties with his usual skill. On Monday the steamer proceeded up the river to Lake M'Kerrow, and landed the survey party and stores. The navi-gation-of th-e upper part ot the river and the lake is very good, there being from four to seven fathoms of water throughout. Left the lake at 3 p.m., the eugines going half speed, a considerable fresh runuing at the time. When about a mile from the bar the steamer struck a snag and knocked a hole in the starboard bow. Finding that the forecastle was rapidly filling, Captain Holmes ran the vessel upon a bank in the middle of the river. The forecabin and forehold speedily filled. The cargo was brought aft, and every effort made to prevent the water increasing. By keeping theengiues pumpiag all night the after part of the steamer was kept dry. Next morning found water rising in the engine-room. Landed all cargo, passengers, stores, &c, in boats on the river bank, erecting shelter for their accommodation with cases and sails. On Wednesday the engine-room, main hold, and saloon filled, the steamer siuking in 6 feet of water aft and 10 feet forward at low tide, with a great list over to port. All moveables of value were removed and

the topmasts and yards taken down. The shipwrecked party were camped out on the sandspit separating the river from the sea, and consisted of 30 persons, 13 being passengers and the remainder forming the ship's company. A large portion of tho , cargo, fortunately consisting of oatmeal, eggs, bacon, cheese, and butter, was saved, and there being an unlimited supply of fish and fowl to be obtained, there was no scarcity of food, and five large tents afforded ample accommodation. Owing to the immense distance from any civilised community, the unfortunate party were compelled to remain there from the Ist to the 18th March. On Thursday the 3rd iust., a party of the surveyors attempted to force their way overland to Qucenstown, with telegrams for assistance, but tho swollen state 1 of tho rivers, and the extaordinary denseness of the bush, compelled them to return on Saturday unsuccessful. Nothing now remained but the sea route to Hokitika, although the length of the journey (180 miles), and the extreme danzer of the coast, rendered it a very hazardous enterprise. On Thursday the 10th instant, a volunteer party, consisting of Captain Holmes, Mr. Bennett, purser, Mr. Miller, second officer, and three seamen, started in tha : whaleboat with several days' provisions ; head winds' and continued rain prevailed, until Saturday, from which time south westerly weather was encountered. The ! party put in for shelter at the Gorge River, Jackson's and Bruce B:i7, and f arrived off Hokitika bar on Tuesday, the 15th inst. The Kennedy was just then j comiug out, bound South to look for the Charles Edward ; seeing the boat, they took the party on board, and returned to Hokitika with the intelligence. She left next morning for Martin's Bay, and brought away all the passengers. During their residence on the sandspit a - birth had taken place. Both mother and , child were doiug remarkably well. : Great hopes are entertained of being [ able to stop the hole in the Charles Ed- ; ward, pump her dry and float her. The 1 Kennedy leaves to-night via Greymouth , to render the necessary assistance.