TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE SOVEREIGN STEAM-PACKET, & MELANCHOLY LOSS OF LIFE.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 98, 17 April 1847, Page 2

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE SOVEREIGN STEAM-PACKET, & MELANCHOLY LOSS OF LIFE.

[From the Moreton Bay Courier Extraordinary, March 17 ] -•The steamer left Brisbane on the 3rd instant, with the undermentioned passengers, viz. :-—Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gore, two children and servant;' Mr. Henry Dennis, Darling Downs ; Mr, W. Elliot, Clarence River j Mr. E. Berkeley, Brisbane ; Mr. Joyner, Sydney ; Mr. Richard Stubbs, Brisbane ; two female and sixteen male passengers in the steerage, with a master and crew consisting of 26 persons— in all 54 souls. The following is an account of the cargo that was on board, viz. : — 1 cask tallow, Sutheland ; 18 hides, Chettle; 9 bales wool, Hughes and Isaac ; 1 2 bales wool, >lortj 10 packages (equal to 19 bales) "wool, Bigge; 7 bales wool, M 'Donald ; C bales wool, Atkinson ; 6 bales wool, Dennis ; 3 bales wool, Forbes ; 9 bales wool, Pitts and Bonifant ; 6 bales wool, C Campbell ; 4 bales wool, Sandeman ; 10 bales wool, Logan ; 2 bales wool, C. M'Leod j 8 bales wool, W. Barker ; 1 bale wool, Andrew ; 2 bales wool, Pickering ; 19 bales wool, John Balfour ; 4 bales wool, Coxen ; 1 bale wool, Marsh; II bales, 1 package wool, G. Gammie; 1 package, Hampden ; 1 box pine apples, Davidson ; 1 cask pine apples, Leathes ; and sundries. A portion of the wool, probably about 40 bales, was upon the deck, besides a large quantity of billets of wood for fuel. A succession of southerly gales detained the steamer at Amity Point until the I Oth instant, when Captain Cape got the steam up, and .proceeded to the bar ; but not deeming it prudent to go out, he returned to the anchorage. On the following morning the steamer proceeded to the bar, which did not present a dangerous appearance. 'As she passed over the first roller, the passengers on ,the poop were in the highest spirits, and one of them remarked in a jocular manner that the " rails" were down. On going over the second breaker, Mr. Gore observed—" Here is a five-barred gate— how nobly she tops it !" Little did he dream of what would transpire, or what one short hour would effect. The steamer had still another wave to encounter before getting over the .bar; and at this critical juncture, the engineer called out to Capt. Cape that the framing of the engines and part of the machinery had broken down. As the vessel was making way, he could hardly give credence to it at the time ; but on descending from his post on the pad-dle-box, he examined them, and found that the frames of both engines were broken close under the plummet boxes, which were turned upside down. He then went •way to ascertain the position of ihe ship, and found that she was drifting on the north spit. The engineer shortly afterwards let the steam off by order of the captain, to prevent the vessel fom being blown up. The sea at this time was making breaches over her, and the rudder chains parted. Captain Cape rushed instantly .to the helm, and endeavoured to secure it ; but his ef forts were unsuccessful. As the vessel still drifted, the 'larboard anchor was let go, the stai board one having been carried away from the bows, with about fifty fathom of chain, which parted in the swell. Notwithstanding there was no wind at the time, she still continued to drag on to the north spit. Previously to letting go the anchor, the sail was set to provide against the danger that had been foreseen, but all to no purpose. The rollers now broke upon the devoted vessel with great violence, carrying away bulwarks, and causing the wool and billets of wood to move violently about the decks, whereby three men were killed, and several more had their arms and legs broken, or were otherwise disabled. The captain then told the passongers that he saw no hope of saving the vessel, as she was still dragging towards the spit. He had just ceased speaking, when a tremendous sea broke over the ship, and swept the forecabin companion flush with the deck, and washed away the fore hatches. Tarpawlings were then nailed over them, but they proved of no service. No pen can properly describe the awful scene which • presented itself on board at this time. The passengers were in the utmost comternation : they set up most piteous cries for help ; some ran to the side, and, in the agonies of despair, plunged into the sea, in the hope

that they might reach the shore in some way or the other. Messrs. Dennis, Berkeley, and Elliott, worked for some time at the pumps, which, however, soon got choked, and they then assisted in heaving overboard the remainder of the deck cargo. While they were thus employed, a heavy sea came, and washed Mr. Stubbs overboard ; but he managed to get on deck again. He then went down to the ladies' cabin, which he found half-lull of water. Mrs. Gore and her child were lying down in one of the berths, quite exhausted, while large quantities of wafer poured over them through one of the dc id lights, which had been stove in. He went to her, and taking the child from her, deposited it in the arms of the servant girl, who was standing with the stewardess on the steps of the companion hatchway. He then returned to the cabin, and conducted Mrs. Gore to the same spot, being the only place of safety at the time in the vessel, lie then procured a small quantity of spirits from the stewards' cabin, which he administered to the females. Mr. Gore shortly afterwards was heard to call out for his wife, when Mr. Stubbs informed him that she was in safety, and requested him to come down through the skylight, and assist him in blocking up the dead light. Mr. Gore accordingly went down, and both gentlemen endeavoured to thrust mattresses through the aperture ; but all their efforts were unavailing, for the watcV still continued to pour in as each wave broke upon the ship. Mr. Gore and Mr. Stubbs then went on deep, and assisted in heaving the wool overboard. Whilst the latter was working at the wool bales, a billet struck him on the left arm, and disabled him. Just then Mr. Gore joined him, and they both went aft. Mr. Gore, addressing his wife, said, "Mary, there is no hope for us now ; we shall go to heaven together." Mrs. Gore, turning to the stewardess, said, "We can die but once. Jesus died for us, God keep us." She repeated these short sentences several times, and seemed perfectly prepared to meet the inevitable fate which awaited her with calmness and Christian-like resignation. Mr. Stubbs now told Mr. Gore that he thought the vessel was sinking, as the water was nearly level with the top stairs. The doors of the companions were then opened, and the females came on duck together. The dieadful moment which was to determine the fate of all who still remained on board now drew on ; and every one saw in the countenance of his companion the vivid expression of his own feelings. At this particu- [ lar juncture, Mr. Dennis was observed standing near the poop with his head cut open and bleeding profusely. Mr. Elliott was close to him, and Berkeley a little below them. Captain Cape, who had more than once been washed overboard, was holding on by the shrouds. Mr. Stubbs, who appears to have maintained his pretence of mind throughout, now cried out, " avoid the suction," and jumped overboard. One dreadful shriek was heard proceeding from one of the females in the fore part of the ship, as she took one roll, heeled over, and sunk, and then all was still. The struggle for life then commenced ; some of the passengers clung to the wool bales— some to portions of the wreck — while others, who had been disabled on board, soon sunk tr rise no more alive. Mr. Stubbs states that the firs thing he saw after he jumped overboard, was the bodi of Mrs. Gore floating with the face upwards clcs< alongside the vessel. The poor unfortunate lady had doubtless, died in consequence of the fright she had undirgone; her child uas between the vessel and Mr Stubbs; Mr. Gore was about thirty yards off; Mr Dennis and Mr. Elliott were clinging to a wool bale, and Mr. Berkeley was swimming. Air. Dennis called out to Mr. Stubbs, " for God's sake save the child !" Mr, Gore also cried out, " for God's sake bring me my child !" The appeal was not made in vain— Mr. Stubbs swam towards it, and catching hold of it by the hair oi the head, conveyed it to its distracted parent. He nearly, however, lost his life in the attempt, by the child clinging convulsively •to him, as it was in the arms ol Mr. Gore; and it was only by main force that the father obtained possession of the object of his strong affection. Mr. Stubbs then struck out and reached a wool bale, when he saw Mrs. Gore's servant girl, who implored him to have pity upon her and help her. He desired her to cling to the wool ; and releasing himself from hia superfluous clothing, tried to lash two bales oi wool together with a. strap which he carried about his person. He did not, however, succeed, in consequence of one of the bales sinking. He then told the girl to hold on until she could get some wood ; for he did not think the wool would be of service to her much longer. On reaching the breakers, supported by a plank, he observed Mr. Gore with his child inside the skylight. Feeling very much exhausted, he swam towards them, and got into it ; in about a minute afterwards a sea struck it, and washed them all out. As Mr. Stubbs was swimming, he saw, for the last time, Mr. Gore clinging to the skylight, with the child in his arms, Shortly afterwards a man with a blue shirt and dark hair came close to him, supported by a long piece ol wood, which hit him on the head in passing, and nearly rendered him senseless. Having escaped this danger, he had to encounter another still more formidable. He saw breakers a-head proceeding from the bar, which appeared coming towards him like a wall, upwards of fifteen feet in height, frothing and foaming, and enough to appal the stoutest heart. How he got through them he does not recollect, for he saw nothing more until he reached the shoal water on the beach, which was about four miles from the spot where he left the vessel. He had just vigour enough remaining to get out of the reach of the breakers, when a native belonging to the pilot'i crew seized him by the waist, and supported him until his strength returned. Captain Cape states that the vessel went down and foundered in about four fathoms water. Nearly all the passengers on leaving the deck clung to bales of wool. He called out to them not to trust to them for support, but to catch hold of portions of the wreck. Just before the vessel went down, he saw Mr. Joyner, John Scard, and some others, on the foremast head ; others were clinging to the mainmast. After swimming some time, he fell in with Mr. Berkeley, who was holding on by a wool bale. While making his way to him, he managed to catch hold •of the paddle-box, and called to Mr. Berkeley to come to him, which he did ; and they kept company together for an hour and a half. On nearing the surf, Captain Cape advised him to hold on with all his strength in going through the heavy breakers; when Mr. Berkeley immediately called his attention to the mountain wave behind. The water broke upon them, and poor Berkeley disappeared. Captain Cape sustained three more breakers, and does not remember anything else until he found himself on a hillock of sand on the beach, where he had been carried by the blacks, who dragged him through the surf As soon as he had partially recovered his strength, the natives conducted him to that part of the beach where Mr. Stubba was. On going there they found the body of Mrs. Gore, which had been washed up near the spot where Mr. Stubbs landed— and shortly afterwards they discovered the body of her eldest child. Fortunately for the survivor* a chest was thrown up containing some wearing apparel, which enabled them partially to cloth themselves. Mr. Richards and Mr. Clements, who were fishing in that neighbourhood, rendered every assistance in their power, and, aided by a prisoner of the Crown, named William Rollings, a servant of the pilot, and the native crew, by the most arduous exertions succeeded in saving the l|ves of six more individuals, who, but for their assistance, must have perished in the surf. About two o'clock, Mr. Hexton, the pilot, made his appearance, having walked round from Cowan Cowan after leaving the Tamar. On learning what had oc-

curred, ho was greatly shocked, and instantly sent for a bottle of brandy, which he caused to be distributed amongst the shipwrecked men ; which was of the greatest service in recruiting their exhausted strength. Messrs. Hexton, Richards, and Clements, assisted by the blacks, then carried the wounded men to the boat, and placed them in it ; which being done, they covered the bodies of Mrs. Gore and child with sand, to prevent their being disfigured by the birds. They also found the body of a seaman, which they buried in the same manner. The only articles washed up before the party left the island, at sundown, were some trinkets belonging to Mr. Stubbs, one bale of wool, a chest supposed to belong £0 Mrs. Chettle, and a small but heavy case with Mr. Gore's name upon it The last mentioned article weighed upwards of twenty pounds, and it is most extraordinary t licit it should have been washed up when lighter materials of equal bulk failed to reach the shore. It must have passed through, as it were, one continuous cauldron of boiling surf, which fully accounts for the difficulty experienced by the unfortunate sufferers in attempting to pass through such a formidable barrier — a barrier placed between them and death. The party finding it useless to remain any longer on the island, proceeded to the pilot's hou^e, where they received every attention, and where a substantial and abundant repast was toon spread out for those who had sufficient appetite to partake of it. We had nearly omitted to mention that previous to leaving the island the mail-bag was observed by one of the boys, who was saved, floating on the surf; the little fellow promptly jumped in and brought it on shore. This lad might to be handsomely rewaided for his praiseworthy exertions under such trying circumstances. On the following day the survivors were brought to the settlement in the pilot's boat. Their statements are corroborative of the facts contained in this account. At daylight on Saturday morning, Lieut. Blamire and Mr. Thornton, of the Customs, with his boats' crew, and several other boats, started for the Bay, with the view of rendering any assistance that might be in their power to recover the bodies of the shipwrecked people, as well as any properly that might be washed up from the wreck. Captain Wickham, accompanied by Mr. j John Balfour, also went in the evening to the Bay, for the purpose of conveying the bodies of Mrs. Gore and child to Brisbane ; but on their arrival decomposition bad already commenced, and it was found to be quite impracticable. Captain Wickham attempted to readthe burial service over them, but was so overpowered by his feelings that he was utterly unable to do so ; and the sad office was undertaken by another person who was present on this occasion. Search was made along the beach for the remains of the other passengers {and seamen, but it turned out fruitless. The tide was going out when the vessel foundered ; and it is supposed that the unfortunate people drifted out to sea, uutil they got within the influence of the current, which would probably carry tham far away to the southward. The beach was strewed with wool, and portions of the wreck ; the timbers were literally ground to pieces, hardly one plank or beam having- been found entire. The following is a correct list of the persons who have met a watery graye — Cabin Passengers. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gore, two children, and servant girl ; Mr. H. Dennis, Mr. E. Berkeley, Mr. Joyner, and Mr. Elliot. Steerage. Mrs. Bishop; Mrs. Chectle ; John Higgins ; Bremmy, a shearer ; John Robertson, Bathurst; .lames Anderson, servant to Mr. Gore ; James Merry, hutkeeper to Mr. C Mackenzie, buried at Moreton Island; Fred. M'Kellar, bullock-driver to • Mr. C. Mackenzie ; Joe, ami a one-armed man, lately in the employ of Dr. Ramsay ; three men lately in the employ of Mr. Leslie ; Isaac Smith, shoemaker, Bn3» batie ; and four whose names are unknown. Ckew. James Ryan, steward ; Mary Ann Griffiths, stew" ardrss ; Michael Mooney, second steward ; Henrj NcM, third ditto; Henry Wood, fore-cabin steward Mr. Gibson, Ist officer; Mr. Brown, 2nd officer Mr. Sommcrville, Ist engineer; Mr. Robinson, 2nc ditto; George Smith, fireman ; Isaac Jones, seaman : Robert Mackenzie, ditto ; Henry Cumberland, ditto i John Miller, ditto; Robert —-—, dato ; John Blairj Ist cook ; and William Horsmann, 2nd ditto. Saved. Captain Cape and Mr. Richard Stubbs, cabin passengers; John M'Quade, John Neil, aud Lawrence Flynn, fare-cabin passengers ; John M'Callum, fireman ; John Scard, fireman ; John Clements, seaman ; Thomas Harvey, steward's boy; and James M'Govern, boy. Our painful task has now been completed. We understand that no less than seven families have been bereft of parents in consequence of this severe calamity. While, therefore, we feel for the injury the Company has sustained by the wreck of their vessel —we have a greater sympathy for those who have lost their lives by the fiat of him who rules the mighty waters— we have still a deeper sympathy for those who have become parentless, and who are now either widows or orphans. The loss of property— the slight interi uption given to the current of business — are nothing compared with the ruined hopes and broken hearts of those who have lost their all, and more than all, by this dreadful shipwreck. The notes and money sent by private hands exceed, we believe, the sum of £2000. The total loss of pro* perly, veasel include J, canuot be far short of £20,000. [Since the above particulars were furnished, two other bodies have been washed ashore and buried, (Mr. Brown, 2nd officer, and Frederick M'Kellar, steerage passenger). A great quantity of wool, about fifty bales, has aWo been washed ashore. The wreck of the hull was sold on the 16th instant, by auction, for j£l4 10s.— From our Correspondent."]