WRECK OF THE "LORD WORSLEY."

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1725, 20 September 1862, Page 1 (Supplement)

WRECK OF THE "LORD WORSLEY."

(Krom tho " Taranaki Herald," September 13.) The steamship " Lord Worslcy" left Nelson about the middle of the day on Sunday, the ,'ilst ultimo, with a fair wind and line weather, so that there was every prospect of a and pleasant passage. From some cause, as yet unexplained, the ship must have got out of her proper course, for about tho middle of the night the passengers were aroused from their sleep by a rude shock, and cries of " Ship's ashore!" "All hands on deck!" '• Full speed astern, &c.!'' The scene for the first few minutes was an awful one—many of the passengers rushed on deck with what clothes they could lirst lay hands on; tho night was then pitch dark, and heavy rain falling. The ship

was in the midst of tremendous rollers; nothing to i be seen but their white crests as they went rushing j past. It appeared to be all over with the ship, for j every moment seemed to threaten her instant destruction. After some fearful plunges and grating, she appeared to be forced ahead into smoother water, and when the clouds overhead had dispersed, it was seen that the ship had been driven up a narrow channel, with a line of breakers on each side, into a small bay the headlands of which were clearly visible. It was indeed a most maivellous preservation; for had she struck a few yards on cither side, it is impossible to believe that she could have held together until daylight. The ship then lay comparatively quiet, stem on, so that the force of the surf breaking against her was not much felt. Fortunately it was about the top of high water, and it was therefore known that as the tide receded the safety of all on board would be secured with the prospect of landing without difficulty at dawn of day, which it may be believed was most anxiously looked for. It is right that mention should be made of the great coolness displayed by the Captain, who took prompt and active measures to have every preparation made for endeavouring t > effect an immediate landing if necessary; no. - should less honourable mention be made of the conduct of the ladies under these trying circumstances, who were soon assembled in the saloon with the children, quietly awaiting the turn of events. Orders having considerately been given to the stewards to prepare tea and col Fee, they were furnished with much alacrity to the refreshment of all. Conjectures were then hazarded as to the locality of the disaster, and fears were entertained that danger had yet to be encountered from hostile natives, as great as that which had been just passed through. So quiet became the position of the ship, and the consequent security of all on board, that many returned to their cabins, some even to sleep. The retut.i of daylight witnessed a busy scene. As soon as the ladies and children were landed, two or three of the passengers proceeded to explore the neighbourhood, when it was iou-id that a native settlement was close at hand; no natives were, however, seen, though there were evident signs of occupation by the presence of a fat bullock tethered by the horns, some slice]), pigs, and a couple of cats. Soon after the ladies and children, and some other of the passengers, had seated themselves in the verandah attached to the principal house, three natives arrived, one armed with a double-barrelled gun, the chief of whom, named William King, welcomed the party and expressed much sympathy. He stated that the vessel had been seen at daylight by some of the women of the tribe, who had hastened inland with the report that a ship had arrived with a large number of soldiers. He gave assurance of the safety of all, and said that when the people of New Plymouth would hear that the party were at his place, they would be satisfied of their secinity. It was found that the ship had gone on shore at Te Namu Hay, 45 miles below New Plymouth. During the day nearly all the baggage landed was taken to the pa, with some assistance from the natives, and the vaiious houses occupied which were offered for the accommodation of the passengers and crew. A number of natives arrived towards evening, among whom was Adam Clarke, a friendly chief of importance in the neighbourhood. As is usual among the natives, a grand talk was held the same evening, at which was discussed the propriety and feasibility of communicating with New Plymouth; the result, after much debating and negotiation, on (he part of such among the passengers as understood the language, was the obtaining a promise that a messenger should he sent the following morning to obtain permission of the rebel nativej for a passage through their territory. Next day (Tuesday) there was at first much delay and fencing about the sending of this messenger, but at length, about noon, a relative of the chief William King started, and returned alter an absence of some four or five hours, saying that the news would be sent on from the place he had visited. Much doubt and anxiety prevailed as to whether really any message had been conveyed, as the youth had evidently not gone very far. This decided the Captain to go on board the ship that evening, with the intention of getting away to New Plymouth by boat as soon as possible. To the great relief of all it was found that he had effected his object early next morning, anil about 4 o'clock p.m. that day (Wednesday) a native named "Grey" arrived with the intelligence that the news of the wreck had reached New Plymouth the previous evening; he stated that he had seen the boat well on its way to the town. About a couple of hours later, there arrived a young chief named Kructi, with a number of followers belonging to the King or rebel party, one armed with a cutlass; a number of bullock carts also arrived soon afterwards, giving good ground to hope that the time of deliverance was not far oil. That night and the following morning (Thursday) much time was spent by the natives in making speeches, when it was at length decided that the party should be allowed to proceed overland, on condition that a payment of ss. per head should be made at the King's gate, and the baggage undergo an examination, " all the same as Custom-house ;" the removal of arms and ammunition being strictly prohibited. The looking over the baggage on shore was soon got over by his Majesty's King Matutacra's officials, after which they proceeded on board, and in the belief that the examination there also would soon terminate and a start be effected, improved spirits pervaded the camp, and a general packing up and bargaining for horses commenced; but, unfortunately, an incident occurred about mid-day which threatened serious consequences, and effectually barred all chance of starting that day; this was the discovery by the natives o'f several small empty kegs on the shore, which they believed to have contained gunpowder. Excited and dark looks were seen oij all sides, which after a time subsided, on its being explained that the kegs had contained shot, and that they had been destroyed by order of the Captain,—the casks of spirits on board bad likewise been very wisely destroyed. The signal gun of the ship having been landed was dragged up by a large mob of natives with songs and wardances, in which many of the women joined. Towards evening there arrived Ropata, a confidential agent of the Government, whose presence and friendly bearing was a source of much congratulation: ho reported the safe arrival of the Captain, and that great anxiety prevailed in New Plymouth, as it was found that the authorities had been prohibited from proceeding to the scene of the wreck. During the night, the chief, Adam Clarke, brought information that there was a talk of detaining the whole party as prisoners, and early in the morning it rcceivud some confirmation from the fact that a huge ill-looking native, in a very excited manner, advocated the carrying out of the idea, but he evidently met with little or no support;—this gentleman lashed himself into such a fury as at length necessitated his forcible removal by his friends to a short distance, where be danced and yelled to his heart's content, still watched by them. Many of the passengers went to the cliff to take a farewell look at the ship, which to all outward appearance lay uninjured: and one and all shared in the regret that so serviceable and fine a vessel should have come to such an untimely end. Peaceful though she seemed, a pandemonium reigned on board, —she had been taken possession of by the natives, who, many in a state of intoxication, were everywhere employed in ransacking and wantonly destroying property. After breakfast, by the determined* will of Erueti, preparations were mado for a start; horses and bullocks were soon brought up, and by a little after 10 o'clock the first portion of the cavalcade was fairly on its way. The breaking down of one of the drays caused some detention, but the accident was quickly and effectively repaired by some of the sailors. The road for a considerable distance at first was very rough and must have been sorely trying to the nerves of the ladies seated on the carts, who maintained their courage throughout, though dragged up and down some very precipitous approaches to the rivers.

The Maori horses engaged by some of the passengers, on reaching the sandj beaches, indulged in various eccentricities, to the manifest embarrassment of some of the riders, who, unable to restrain their racing propensities, permitted themselves to be borne out of sight. When about ten miles on the road, intelligence was brought that the safe in the Captain's cabin, containing treasure, which the natives had promised to respect, had been broken into; this immediately led to the return of one of the passengers who had been most active in promoting the arrangements for the journey overland; and by his energetic and courageous conduct the treasure was rescued and brought away. On arrival at Kapoaiaia, it was found that every preparation had been made by the chief Erueti for the accommodation of the party. A very novel incident occurred on the following morning; ihe whole party being directed to assemble, wore told oil' for the payment of ss. a head, the toll agreed upon for passing the King's gate. On the road some natives wore met with, who stated that a rumour had reached them that a party of soldiers were about to be sent to force their way to the wreck; shewing that prompt intelligence was receiven by them of all that was going on at New Plymouth. Nothing further of any importaace occurred; the natives at the King's gate, having been

duly instructed, offered no obstruction. At Hauranga Mr. Commissioner Farris was in waiting, and offered a cordial welcome. The anxious interest of the authorities and people of New Plymouth was shewn by the exertions made to afford assistance as soon as it was in their power; two surf boats were anchored off Hauranga, well provided with creature comforts, and by means of them the ladies and children and such others of the party as brought up the rear, were conveyed to the town. The travellers by road were no less fortunate in falling in with carts sent out to meet them, and were enabled to show that the aboriginal diet on which they had thriven for the last two days had in no way impaired their taste for mutton pies and bottled beer. The sympathy and considerate kindness shewn by the whole community, both civil and military, by arrangements for the reception and entertainment of all, have been such as will command a lasting remembrance; in future time the recollection of past dangers must ever be associated with the many acts of kindness and hospitality extended on all sides. Every one connected with the wreck must feel persuaded that a merciful providence only can their miraculous preservation be due, and it must have been with feelings of no ordinary kind that they joined in the Prayer of Thanksgiving offered up in Church on Sunday evening last.

Mr. F. U. Gledhill sold the -wreck of the Lord Worslcy by auction yesterday, for the benefit of the mulct writers. The vessel fetched £235, the cargo £l9, and a small whale boat £2s—Captain Stapp buying the two former, and Mr. McKechney the latter. According to the natives the wreck was given to them by those in authority, by whom exactly is not stated, as a return for their kindness in sparing the lives and personal property of those on boa-d. How this sale will affect their title is not qnite clear; nor is it obvious how the gallant Captain will reap the advantages of his bold speculation—the opposing claimants having aimed possession. We wait the result with interest.