WRECK OF THE QUEEN BEE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 190, 13 August 1877, Page 2

WRECK OF THE QUEEN BEE.

THE THIRD MATE SAVED. Aboufc seven o'clock on Saturday evening the Maori boat with the remainder of the Queen Bee's passengers arrived in harbor and, although there was nofc a crowd to receive them, as was the case on the arrival of tbe Aurora iv the afternoon, a most hearty welcome was given to them by all who were present. A little later the Lady Barkly came in with the butcher, F. Gutherlest, who was one of the two who were missing on Durville's Island. The particulars of his ' recovery will be found elsewhere. PUBLIC MEETING. In accordance with .an advertisement, which appeared in Saturday night's Mail, a public meeting was held in the Drill Shed at 8 p.m. for the purpose of forming a Committee to collect subscriptions for those who had lost their all ia the wreck, and to arrange a programme for the half-holiday which was proclaimed for to-day. His Lordship the Bishop of Nelson having been voted to the chair, the following resolutions were passed: —

" Tba. .he p'eopie\f Nelson cordially and gratefully recognise the efforts made by' H.MS. Sappho, the Naval Brigade, the s.s. Manawatu, Messrs Edwards and Co. the Lady Barkly, T.) R. H. j Taylor, the Puna Bay .. Maoris, and othersj to save the passengers ard crew from tho wreck of- the Queen Beey and they desire to record their earnest thanks to all who have so well and disinterestedly done their duty." " That the people of Nelson heartily thank the settlers and Maoris who so hospitably entertained the shipwrecked passengers and . orew of the Queen Bee." *'". " Tbat a committee be forced for the pur-" pose of collecting subscriptions for the purP 0 . 3 ? °___ su PPlying such immediate assistance as may be required by tbe passefigersand' crew of the, shipwrecked vessel, and that the committee^ be! requested to make some special recognition of the services rendered "by all who have exerted themselves in the rescueof the crew and passengers. That the following committee, with power to add to their number; be appointed* to*cisrrif Toarthe ob*r jects of \ this meeting^-Hia {Lordship the X Bishop, the Yen; Archdeacon thjqrpe, the ltevs. Father Gario,~J. Eeightotf, JrHamil--ton, J. Beckenham, G. S. Harper, his Honor Judg. Broad, his Worship the Mayor, Cap— taina Marshall, Cornwall, and Cross, Messra Dowling, Hooper, Dodson, AtMn_oa, Leves-Y tarn, Eightfoot, 'Pickering, Haddo£, Buunyjl Pitt, Wymond, Blundell, R*. Bura-JStafford# M'Donald, Waitt, Elliott, W. H. Jones, Gieenfield, Harling, J^-Smifch,,T. Harley, Moor, B. West, J. Symons, J. Sclanders, J. •"Qat rard^Fell, |md Cooksey." ft p i •*. v * At the close;of the meeting the Committee 1 ' "met in the Fire Brigade Room, theilSislSbp rathe chair. The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to:— i• f ■" [' <■ " That Messrs, Greenfield and D. M'Donald' respectively act as honorary Secretary arid Treasurer to this committee. That a subcommittee, consisting of the Bishop oOffelabhp *be Mayor, Messrs. Garrard, Dodson/ M'Donald, and AtMoson, fee appointed- to erquire into the circumstances of the crew and passengers of the Qneen, Bee, and. „fco ascertain what experises! hatai' alre^dV teen incurred the in search." ]•'• ] "That Captain Marshall be. requesied--to order a parade of Volunteers for the purpose xr ,p, fe lj r fte merahets of; -the ■ Naval Brigade who maimed the ' Aurora ' arid all who have taken an active part in the endeavors made to. rescue the suryivors of the wreck. - Th)ifc his Lo-dship'the-Bishonbe requested to cori/ey fche expression of : thanks." Mr Broad hoped that in the general feeling of joy afc the recovery of the passengers" and crew ifc would not be forgotten that one poor fellow had perished, and i that he had left a widow and family unprovided for. He fchougbfc that our charity should extend- fco them. _ ._.._ . _| 'Mr Eunny stated that the NeJson Dramatic [ Club intended giviug an enfcerfcainmehfH shortly, for, the,, relief of the sufferers. -| Mr Broad said he Bad* much pleasure in *aanouncing-that-Mi7i.jGeorge Harper -had in J formed himself and others that he intended giving.to the. relief fund whatever net; promts.' mif-ht arise from a share , which he owned in the Queen Bee Wtect Recovery Company "" ,The representatives of the local pa'perir offered to do whatever printing and advertising that might . be necessary free of charge, j The Committee then adjourned 'nrittt.-Swd p-ra. to-day, tbe Sub-Committee to meet afc tema.m. • CRUISE OF THE AURORA. ' The Aurora leffc the boat shed shortly after midnight on Thursday to search* for fche missing boats of the o,ueen Bee with Lieuts Gully and Simpson, and twenty of the Naval Brigade. There were also on board Mr Arthur Earnshaw as pilot, and Mr Going second officer of fche ill-fated vessel. There was bufc little* wind blowing at the time, and the oars were kept going until three o'clock on Friday morning, when a light air springing up from the westward, all sail was set. The port watch was then sent below, the starboard one being on duty. The wind suddenly increased to a fresh breeze, and two reefs were put in the mainsail. The sky was then of a deep leaden hue, and gave every indication of a coming storm. At four o'clock the breeze increased to a gale, wifch a very high cross sea. The mainsail was {; here taken in and replaced by the mizensail, and the Aurora's head was put out to sea. The morning was very dark, and nothing could be seen bufc breakers everywhere, through which the Aurora head-reached, strainiug -*aud laboring heavily, and shipping any quantity of spray. All hands were soon drenched to the skin, and as the nighfc was bitterly cold, they were in anything bufc a comfortable position. Rain set in shortly afterwards, and was welcomed by the crew as it had the effect of washing some of the saltwater off their bodies. Afc daylight the wind veered round to fche S.W., and as the Aurora by this time was miles oufc to sea a course was shaped for the laud, which was just discernible a long distance to leeward. The wind died r.way, about eight o'clock, leaviug the boat jumping and tossing aboufc in the trough of the sea. The oars had to be resorted to, bufc ifc was a difficult job fco pull the boat, so heavy was the sea. The boat* was then abreast of the Croixelles, where th_7 crew determined to laud to light a fire and dry themselves. A light air from the S.W. having sprung up, they abandoned fche intention of going on sbore, and stood on for the French Pass. The bow ch&ser-of fche Aurora was fired at intervals along the coast but beyond stirring up a few birds ifc produced no effect. The Aurora arrived oft the Maori settlement ou Durville's Island, aboufc four miles from the entrance to the Pass at halfpast nine, and no sooner was she in sight than the whole of the Maoris were ;seen on the beach dancing and jumping aboufc in great glee. Tbe boat had scarcely touched the ground before she was full of Maoris eager to impart the information fchafc the missing citter had been found, and fchafc the passengers and crew were all safe and well at Mr A. Elmslie's afc the French Pass. Three hearty cheers were given by the crOw of the Aurora, and as they were by this time greatly fatigued after the rough night they had gone through, they; were put on shore, with the exception of the officers and the men, who were pulled by a dozen sturdy Maoris through the French Pass, immediately on roundiug the Heads fche ensign was run up, and a gun fired. A little boy was seen on the beach, and immediately on seeing the boat coming he rushed into fche house to impart the welcome news. The beach was soon crowded with the surviving passengers, and there was a glorious meeting, such as seldom falls to one's lot to witness. After the greeting was over, the medical comforts wero got onshore, which were greatly relished by the survivors, especially by the crew. As it was impossible to make a start for Nelson just then, on account of the tide at the Pass, various amusements were got up by the Maoris, such as foot racing, vaulting with the pole, throwing the hammer, etc. At three o'clock the whole of fche passengers embarked in fche Aurora, and after giving tliree hearty cheers for Mr Elmslie and Mr Webber, the boat started for the Maori settlement to pick up the crew of the Aurora. On arrival afc the settlement there was such a sea runuing that it was found impossible to proceed any further fchafc night, aud accordingly every preparation was made for remaining afc the settlement. Tea was served up by the Maoris afc half past four, and after everyone was satisfied, an adjournment was raade outside, where an al fresco concert and ball was held by the members of the Naval Brigade, which was greatly enjoyed by the

Maor^, £6 seven o'ejcck. supper -fra* ani rnoti^ced,\cansistiQg of- potatoes, fish; anfl ; damper, and at 8.30 the order was given ;«All hands pipe below/l : The niaiWil o£^ : the Aurora had been rigged u£ as /a tent, and utijder this thei crew! of lier turned in ,Iswasa-ma.t-so£ iq^p<i3Vibtlife^t_- v gefc'mucli sleep/as the Matori women,"* whoth the chiefs had kept up all night cooking, in their eagerness for the comfort of everyone, would come iv about every ten minutes with a candle ang poke it in the faces of the recum-beofc-figurea just by way of admiring, them. .Shortly after midnight all hands were turned out, and piped to breakfast, ; aW wbich every preparation was made for starting. After a consultation between the officers of the_ Auroraiacd-ithe second officer of the Queen Bee, it was decided ■' to take half the passengers in the Aurora, and put the remainder in the Maori boat,- as tbe- -natives were. very anxious to bring some of the passengers bri, though the Aurora could easily have carried them all. At" three* q'tjlpcfc eveßybody was safe on ••board, and flhe'-* Aurora ;^as soon ploughing ithekwatar ufaderj ttteiinfluence of sixteen oars •jsgaihst » light • hettd-frind and sea. Cable Bay was reached shortly before eleven, and •telegrams-forwarded to Nelson—Every kindness "• was shown to the passengers by Mr Shapley, the 1 manager, who sent refreshments down to ;the boat, including grog,;fcobacco and *.m_icfce_. fori fcJie, crew. -.Aftsc giving three cheers the Aurora left for Nelson at 12*30, the wind then blowing light from the sea. At 1 p.m. the booming of the Naval > Brjgg|egua^ : in the'.dista^e.were heard, and ifr'^feg^drise tlie How- chaster o£ the Aurora ! W-^-, fired*. «nd~lfer\buating rpff up. As the LigfttKodse was approached' 'several boats confcjunin^j refreshments /were met, and after partaking of these the bars' were" once more -got 'out,' -and thSrboafc madia" good progress 'arriving ;' a. i" the entrance tb th"."harbor at 4 -P: II R£9 i $ a£ % P«*ying;agaii_3. tide, arrived at' the TPilot'Statioa at 4-30, all the crew and passengers being in the very best of spirits. A FINDING OF THE THIRD -MATE. ' \ Abojutll! o'ulock last bighfc k.{_LS. Sappho arrived at Ithe outer anchorage, and it soon became known that she had vMr Mason, the last, of the missing men on board. The Sap- \ * phoarrived at Astrolabe on Saturday, where she met the Manawatu, and then crossed over to D'Urville'slsland where the Lyttelton was found. Five of the latter's crew and 20 of thb Sappho's were then landed, and after I travelling about in all directions they were about giving up the search when they heard a faint cry and Yon looking up saw_a human figure some distance above them. They at quee ran up and found the poor, fellow thoroughly exhausted,, and carried him down, placed him in the boat and brought him on board,; where he was placed under the doctor's hinds. .!.:., i We cannot close our report without maJsmgUpeeial mention of Mr T. RYTaylor and Mr H. Walmsley, who were most un- ! tiring in their ; efforts, to find themissiug man. T he * y . ancllored iQ P( > rfc Hardy oi Saturday diorning, and leaving their boat went over Che ridge, camped out that high), abd the whole of yesterday morning weresearching • on the summit of the cliff without success, fheytheri returned to their boat.and joined the Lyttelton at Bottle Point, and were on b^oafd the steamer when the man was found. THIS AFTERNOON'S " DEMONSTRA- ■ . - TION.. i j jCaptairi Digby, of H.M. Sappho, having been invited to allow his men io come ashore to join a the Volunteer Parade, he willingly consented, and about 80 of the sailors and marines, headed fby .the Artillery Band, marched up from the ship to Trafalgar Square, where, it was decided 'that the ceremony of offering -the -thanks* of the community to those who had taken part in the search should take l place. Here the Volunteers were drawn up, and on I the arrival of the Sappho contingent a hollow square was formed at the foot of Church 'Hill, ou which and in the ; streets at least 2000 people must haveheen assembled. Shortly Jafterwarda the Bishop', accompanied by the Committee, entered the square. and His Lordship then addressed those present' as follows :— " We are met for the performance of a duty which is agreeable both to the givers and receivers, viz., trie public recording and offering of our sincere and. hearty thanks to those who have exerted themselves :iu the recent successful search for the passengers and crew. of the wrecked jQu'een Bee. The circumstances being iso recent, and about to be made the subject of a searchting enquiry, it is not necessary, in any way !o remark upon them. . * i 'We -have already testified dur welcome to the unfortunate persons who have under these trying circumstances been landed on our shores. We have already on the moment? of landing, and since then in all our places-' of worship,' recognised the hand *of Divine Providence, and offered : up bur humble praises and thanksgiving to Almighty God for prospering the efforts that have been~ made to search for the missing, and now we feel it is our next duty to express our warm appreciation of the endeavors of the various search parties which have at last been crowned with complete success. * Before particularising-, I may say that the interest taken in this, aad indeed in auy other similar event, when any human beiug is missing from the community, bears testimony to a fact which is one' of the most satisfactory features of the time we live in. That is, the increased value set upon human life. We-do not ask who it is, Is it a friend ? Is it an acquaintance ? Is it a good man ? Is it a bad man ? but only "Is it a man ?" Is he lost on ocean, or in the bush, or in the mine that is enough. Every effort must be made, business must be set aside ; from the Queen on the" throne to the invalid who can only hope and pray, every one feels, that nothing must be left undone to look after the missing one. This is one of the best of the signs of the times, and is a testimony to the estimate of the value of human life now entertained by the community at large, thus highly estimated, because of its immense capacities* for good. Another noticeable feature is the practical use that has been made in this instance both bf our regular aud volunteer forces. We often see them on a pleasant visit or a gala day, or an amateur review, but here both forces are present, the one on a visit, the other as our own institutions, and there will be no question in the future as to the necessity of maintaining the institution of a Naval Brigade in thorough efficiency. We may notice the difference between what our apprehensions would have been, had this occurred some fifty years ago, the very name of our bays, which we are anxious to change, and which deserve now to be changed, reminds us of the difference of the reception met with by the ships wrecked now and then, and wo are thankful to record the difference in our apprehensions and in the actual reception. We felt sure til it wherever our friends were cast ashore they would meet with kindness and hospitality. Very different from what it was in 1830. Our rejoicing is not only on behalf of the passengers saved who were intending to live amongst us, but for the safety of the crew, and under that name I include all who honestly labored either for the success of the voyage while it lasted, or who rose to the^ emergency of the difficult circumstances in which they were placed. Public attention has been called to the condition of that of which wo are; rightly proud i as a nation, our mercantile navy, and the i enthusiasm being so great at home on their ■ behalf, it is not to be woundered at that we i ehould have caught- ifc here and entertained [ i

some anxiety as to fcheir safety. Yes, let us assure fche crew— the working men of the crew, those who have not shirked the work those who have wisely taken the Bteer oar and landed our friends safely— thafc we would have made fche same exertions to have saved tbem, for fcheir lives are equally precious to " Officers and men of H.M.S. Sappho— l beg on behalf of the people of Nelson to preseni to you our : hearty thanks for the services you rendered. When we recently met you in social enjoyment, and with that respect jand pleasure with which we welcome all Her .Majesty's vessels here, we little thought we should have occasion on behalf of those wending fcheir way here fco ask for your help in such a matter as this, but we are thankful to have subn a remembrance connected wi;h your visifc,,and fchafc you hava been instrumental in crowning our cup of joy in finding the lost man. I nbw call for threo cheers for the Sappho." It is needless to say thafc this was an itvitation which met with a hearty response. Lieut. Gully of fche Aurora— l can scarcely describe to you the satisfaction that was jfelfc when you sfcartedori; the. search. ". Ifc is only°equalled by fche gratification, 'that after ,a difficult and somewhat perilous voyage you have come across the landing place of one of the boats, and you had thafc the satisfaction of bringing to Nelson a large party of the shipwrecked who were welcomed with the more enthusiasm thafc they came in yourboafc. Ifchinkifc due to the absent; to say that your late Captain (Richardson) would, I am sure, have, been with you had h9 nofc been far away oufc of hearing at his' run, and ifc will afc all events be a satisfaction to him to know that his Brigade did so well in i his absence. Iv the name of fche people of Nelson I thank you, and have much pleasure in presenting you with this copy of the resolution passed by the Committee. Three ringing cheers were then given for the Naval Brigade. To Mr Taylor and Mr Walmsley, although absent, I have much pleasure in offering the thanks of the community for their hearty efforts to make the search effectual. They went out, when every additional searcher was regarded as a valuable helper to the force, and notwithstanding circumstauces as to the unreadiness of their boat, which might have formed au excuse for anyone less resolute. For, them I call for three hearty cheers. These' were given with a will. The steam ship Manawatu, the owners of the Lyttelton and Lady Barkly— lu the absence of any representatives of these boats, I have much pleasure in handing to you, Mr Mayor, the thanks of fche community, expressed in this resolution, for the efforts they have made, and our congratulations on their success. We bear in miud that those deserve our hearty thanks who have searched^ quite independently of the particular success of that search, which, of course, depends on many circumstances, and therefore we thank those who. l:ave hearti'y searched, as heartily as we should have done had they actually brought home the rescued. We record with satisfaction that one of the crew of the Lyttelton, commanded by Captain Whifcwell, named James MichaefNilan, exhibited great courage in going to the rescue of the last but one, and brought him safely through the surf. Three hearfcy cheers having been given. for those alluded fco above, his Lordship went on to say . • Rene Hoihoi, and Maoris of Rangitoto Island — Ifc gives us the liveliest pleasure to see you amongst us to thank your for your disinterestedness and Christian kindness to the shipwrecked party. You have entertained them most kindly ; it was your voice thafc I they heard after the perils of fche deep $ and !

they found amongst you a sincere, generous W h eral^ c, 2 otue ' and « ofc "*J ob«s JSiSS?^ them .f-£ e * -with an amounfol feel J»«»d conaidenttiott that made them snoutd any be so unfortunate as to be ihem fafoW 1 , ble 1 the *** ** «** tnem into the hands of the Maoris. I will call upon the Rev:, Mr Grace your chap am, to read this resolution 5n yoS Z]& MrG ! race ha ™* inte?prS in mSS °f ? re T rk8 ' a^ read the them ' arty Cheers were S-*fcfor Cheers were called for; by .heSapDuo's. £S„?\ for the Bishop, and 'theae ?S^ e ft. gIVe u a with a wi Mhe ceremony terminated by the band playing and those present singing the National* lntheni