THE DISASTER TO THE S.S. CHIMBORAZO.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 82, 5 April 1878, Page 4

THE DISASTER TO THE S.S. CHIMBORAZO.

[Town and Country Journal. 23rd March.'] The news of the striking of- the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's fine steamship Cbimborazo on ihe rocks at Jervis Bay, on the 14th instant, created a profound sensation in Sydney, especially amoug thoas who were on that day expecting to congratulate friends and relatives 'on the terrninution of a pleasant and remarkably speedy voyage. The impression created by the receipt of the first news of the accident was that the ship had touched upon some detached sunken rock that had previously boon unknown; but as facts are revealed it appears that the nffair has oseumed a different phase, and we have to record a shipping disaster of a most extraordinary nature, and one that has, so far as we remember, no parallel iv marine casualties in Auetraliun waters— a large, full-power steamer running straight into one of the boldest headlands on the coast in broad daylight. How such a thing as this was possible in a well-appointed ship like the Cbimborazo, is a mystery that remains lo be solved, snd one that cerfainly demands full investigation at the hands of the Marine Board of New Souih Wales. The dangers of the deep are numerous enough ; but such mishaps as this appears to be do not enter into the calculations of either the pas-senger-aoing community or the underwriters' riek3. The Chimbonzo was in command of Captain Hall, a gentleman of some experience in Australian waters, he having graduated in his profession in the service of the Panama and New Zealand Steam Company, It appeal that on the 14th instant, at 11 a.m., Jervis Bay, or as it ia often called Cape St. George Lighthouse, bore west, distant one and a half mi.'es, weather fine but slightly hazy, sea n - markably smooth. Captain Hall went below about this time or a little later, leaving the navigation of hie ship in the charge of his third officer. Passengers were mostly on deck watching the coast scenery as the Bhip went swiftly along. The northern head of Jervis Bay prcjecls somewhat further into the sea than its southern formation, and is a bold headland, the very counterfeit presentment of the north head of Sydney; and over its brow ou the day in question it is said there hung a veil of mis'. It would have been neceß3ary for the Chimborazo to haul off the land, after passing Cape St. George, to clear the northern headland — steering about north-east ; but her course appears to have been true to the position where the rocks brought her up. The alarm "breaker ahead " was given when the ship was so close to the land that there was no means of averting the danger. Obedient to orders the machinery was i promptly stopped ia its action, but then quickly followed the crash, which was severe enough to throw passengers off | their feet. The sudden stopping of the engines w&b so unusual an occurrence that there was a rush of passengers to the detk, and before many moments i had passed the shock explained fully the meaning of the stoppage. As might be supposed in such a scene there was ioiense excitement and confusion, particularly amongst the ladies. The whole of the Bhip'a crew came promptly into action, and the steoiy and quick way in which orders were attended to spoke of excellent nautical discipline The first order was to swing the ship's boats out in their tackles, ready for lowering if their worst fears were realise'!, and simultaneously guns were fiaed to inform the light-house-keeper of the sbip'a distress. The water was found risiDg forward of the collision bulk-head, and then in the fore compartment, but none made its way into Ihe main compartment. It was found that the ship had struck the rocks on the inner side of Point Perpendicular, aud rested with her bows on the rocks, and that rouud the place were 23 to 25 fathoms of water, while on the- starboard side a sunken rock was visible. Some fifteen or twenty minutes had elapsed when efforts were made to get the ship out of her critical position ; orders were given for all the passengers to run aft with a view of tilting the ship up, and the engines being reversed the ship moved slowly off, but was not yet out of danger, for grave fears were enteriaine<i that the flra compartment bulk-head might give way, and the ship in thai case would have gone plump to the bottom, A coasting ketch observing the danger, run down aud siood by the ship till she had got to an anchorage. The bold headland on which the ship rau consists of a series of rugged perpendicular precipices, from 150 to 200 feet in height. They commenca from tho entrance of Jervis Buy, and run a considerable distance northward. Aloug the base of the cliffs are Lugh boulders and shelving rocks, which have apparently fallen from the cliff?, and it was striking on one of the shelving rocks which caused the damage to the vessel, As the ship drifted iuto Jervia

Bay, all (he passengers behaved admirably, ond were soon transferred to the boats, the Indies and children being flrßt placed in ibem, with a supply of provisions. In about half an-hout's time alt the passengers were landed on a little beach, a few hundred yards from where the vessel Btruck, the sailors aud others carrying the women and children through the slight eurf. The Chimborazo then went to Darling Roads, a sheltered position in the southern part of Jervis Bay, where she still remains. The passenger re-embaiked on Friday night, and on Saiurday they were conveyed to Fydney by the A.S.N. Company's steumer Collaroy, which had beeu chartered by the agents, Messrs G-ilchrist, Watt, & Co., to bring them to Sydney. The ship's bcitom hud been examined by a diver, and it nppeara that about 24f1. of keel from the cutwater aft, is gone ; some of the garboard planking is also damaged, nud there is v hole about 10ft. long ia her gurboard. It is probable that some weeks will elapße before she is made thoroughly seuworthy. At present the cargo is being taken out of hfir so as to lighten her forward, and in a few days' time she may be expected in Sydney.