THE STRANDING OF THE GARONNE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 187, 5 August 1878, Page 4

THE STRANDING OF THE GARONNE.

The Mjlbrnrne Argus of July 17 says : — " Regarding the accident to the Orient stpamer Garonne, we obtain by mfiil the following particulnfe "r-^-Tbe Garom-p grounded on a Saftdbnuk at Rao Hp.ffoon, where itave is a dangerous current, Ho< i vehera several steamers have bosn wrecked. After finding that sha whs rot to be moved from her pr B iti otlj n ]if e hoat with (he second officer, Mr W. P. Wardroper, and a rrew were sent awny fo Aden, scrap 400 miles .iißfnnr, to procure naej?tsnee, Ras Hnffoon being quite a 'desolate plnce. When withui a day's Bteamipg of Aden, the boat was picked up by the Bfenuier Merioneihshiie, bound east. After laking the crew and the boat on boar.3, the Merionethshire went h«ck to Ens H&ffoon with the view of rendering aid to (he Garonne, but on reaching the spot the Garonne, which had in the meantime been got off and proceeded on her vovage s was nowhere io be seen. The Merionethshire then went on to Galle and landed the second officer and crew there. Ths lifeboat waa lost from the steamer before Bhe reached Galle. The Garonne 18 Bttid to have been roost fortunate in escaping from her position, for if the monsoons hnd come on to blow, noshing could have saved her, owing to the high breaking sen which so ea3ilj gets up."

The following account of the accident wis written by one of the pissengers :— "On the morning of June 6, sibout 6 o'clock land was sighted, and was kept pretty well in sight until <hrtirae the ship went on shore. TJie position of tluj ship at 12 nooo, was us follows :— Norfh Intitmie, 8 30; eosf, longitude, 51.18. Now if reference is nWit: to one of lhe official amps or a largp mnp, it will be seen that Buch a course would cast the land at Cape Guardufui, end it is quite evident, and can ba proved, thnt the course whs taken N.W. instea.l of N., so as to clear the Cape ; but instead of which she ■was run on shore in a bay between 20 and 30 miles out of the proper reckoning. The accident occurred at about 10.25 p.m., whilst the vessel was proceeding under full steam and sail with a light breezo, when the engine bell wag rung, and immediately following the ship struck, and passing over several sandbanks with bump, bump, hump, began to roll from aide to side. The scene of excitement on deck in a few moments was great, and on looking forward the ship nppenred almost to touch (he land, as she had gone on shore at near high water. Great anxiety was felt for daylight, when our true position was discovered.! The ship appeared thoroughly embedded in b BRndy bay, the surf running pretty high, and the const most inhospitable—- only sandy hills and low scrub, with limestone Mils in the distatce — and the general impression whs that she would not be got <fT» In the meantime, every effrrt haii be^n imde by the officers lo get the ship into a m'»r« favorable position, and on Friday. June 7, the lifeboat was despatched to Cope Guardafui, in order <o intercept some steamer on the inward or outwnrd passuge from Aden. During the day Natives were to be seen partially dressed, and also wild animals. It was thought that our position was critical, and tbat, if possible, efforts Bhould be mude to open up communication with the Natives. On Saturday, the 8 h, a volunteer crew was raised to go on shore under the cbnrge of the third officer, i.-nd also the celebrated New Guinea explorer, L. M. d'Albertis, who were watched with deep interest. The natives appeared friendly. On returning to the ship the boat w«s cpset, and two met with a watery grave, thus casting a general gloom over (he passengers, as the prospect of landing would be difficult, if not attended with loss of life, and should assistance crrive by way of the sea it would be more difficult still to get the passengers on board. On Sunday morning, June 7, a heavy swell came rolling in, and great fears were entertßined that the hawser (llin) wouid part, as the sea was lifting the stern. At about high water an attempt was made to get her afloat, and on soundings being taken we found about 16ft. forward, 16ft. to 18ft. Amidships. Steam was got up, and Borne 300 men were engaged on the hawsers with the eDgines, and after some time she began to move. A scene of congratulation ensued tbat was not to be easily erased from the minds of Jsome 500 or 600 eouls on board; and we are once again 00. our way to Aden.