THE COLLISION BETWEEN THE NEVADA AND THE A. H. BATGER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 268, 13 November 1871, Page 4

THE COLLISION BETWEEN THE NEVADA AND THE A. H. BATGER.

The Sydney Herald of the 24th says : " The Alice CameroD, from Auckland, came into Port yesterday morning, and by her: have arrived the crew and passengers of the barque A. H. Batger, who were picked up from their ship, which was in a sinking condition, in latitude 34.05 deg. S-, longitude 165.30 deg. E., she having been in contact with a steamer. The following are" tbe particulars of the disaster, as related by Captain Leddra. late master aud owner. 'The A. 11. Batger, barque, 337 tons, sailed from Newcastle on the 7th October, "with a cargo of coals, maize, and coke, bound for Auckland. Everything went on .well, with every prospect of a speedy voyjige, until within three days' sail of Auckland,. op the 15th October. On that date, at 10.30 p.m., a steamer was seen ahead, steering direct for the barque, our lights having been well. looked to and burning brightly. Put the helm hard 'aport ;' no alteration being made by" the steamer to clear us, but she came stem on, striking us in the port-mizzen chains, carrying away the main top-mast and all upper spars attached, fearing the bolts and raizzen-channela bodily from the ship's side, leaving a large hole level "with the water's edge, and starting ten planks. We tried, by calling out, to make those on board the steamer stop and assist us, but without effect ; but she proceeded on her course. I hailed and told them to stop her, as we were sinking, but she never even eased. A new tarpaulin, previously made for the ' after-batch, was got out, and two men lowered over the side, wbo succeeded, after considerable difficulty in:' nailing it over the principal* hole. All hands then ; set to work to throw overboard the maize from the port side, so as to list the vessel to starboard. On the 16th, at 6.30 a.m., a ship was seen bearing N.E. Stood towards her, and hoisted the colors, Union down, and she shortly was alongside, and .proved to be the Alice Cameron, from Auckland, boundrto Sydney: sent. the boat, on board, and requested the commander, Captain Carter, to come on board, which he did at once, aud as soon as .he ascertained our condition he sent for five of his crew, to assist in lightening tbe ship of cargo. He then brought his carpenter on board, who, after examining the damage we had sustained, endeavored to draw the planks from the ship's side with heavy spike nails, hut could not succeed.. On examining the ship's side: he found the planks damaged more or less from the after-part of the main, chains to the quarter-piece, and he finally came to the conclusion that nothing could be done to save the vessel. Captain Carter then offered to*- take .us ou board; and bring' "us*' t0 :; Sydney, ; which we ; 'accepted, as the sky looked overcast. Accordingly,, at •*_ o'clock, myself, wife aod children, and, my crew, having collected our effects, left t_e.ship,.and proceeded on. board the Alice Cameron, there being five, feet of > water -iri the hold. , .That * night a gale came on from theN.W., with a high confused sea, so >, that had we not have fallen in with the Alice Cameron we should have had to take to tHe boats, which; I fear, would not have been l of much service to us in. such a sea. The steamship that came into collision with, us reß,emble4 r ses Nebraska, American mail-boat; she 'bad a straight stern, and ti/vo funnels and upperworks painted white. ..The steamer had no masthead light, nor could there have have beep any, look-out' for.. the; shouting ori board my barquqmighthave been heard at; a distance i of half-'a-mile. But for the timely i-assistance of Captain..Carter,:;washould have; all been drowned; and my crew, together, with my self and^family, sincerely thank' him, his officers aud ,crje.w,, t for their timely "aid arid , exertion's, ; in oqr '* ? beli'tiTf ; { ; _nd ' * ho_ptl hole ; ' ' tr edtmeuiV /•While on board;his a ship.',,' r u The A. H. /Batger is: insured in the- National Office 'fojr^l^ "theicargti ;andt!rfei£_il^|« fa £ HBa3oififl,{vf6pi t£ii^^Ki^s^c¥o^ <-• 'ixx ■■ > '■ •■>*<■•'