WRECK OF THE SHIP BRITISH ADMIRAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4128, 13 June 1874, Page 3

WRECK OF THE SHIP BRITISH ADMIRAL.

We compile from the Melbourne newspapers received by the Albion, the following particulars of the wreck of the ship British Admiral, on King's Island, with tlio loss of seventy-nine lives, which was reported by telegram from the Bluff a few days ago : The story of the wreck, says the Arc/us, is a most heartrending one, for no less than 79 lives have been lost, a great proportion of those who perished being women. Out of 19 passengers and a crew of 39, only nine have survived to reach this port. Tlie survivors consist of the third officer, Mr. Charles AVilliam McEwan ; Cunningham, A.B. ; Baker, A. 8.: Wagaixl, A.B. ; and Davidson, O.S. ; Mr. O’Grady, saloon passenger ; David Keys, Thomas Jones, and John Harold, steerage passengers. Tlie first news that reached town was a telegram from Queenscliffe to the following effect : “Ketch Kangaroo, just arrived from King’s Island, reports the total loss of the ship British Admiral on Saturday, 22nd inst. The vessel struck on tlie w-est side, and sank in a quarter of an hour, not a vestige of her remaining. Four of the crew, four passengers, and the third mate managed to escape bygetting up the foremast, and subsequently drifting ashore on tlie wreckage. She had 19 passengers and about 39 of a crew, all of whom, excepting those above mentioned, are drowned. The saloon passengers were Messrs. O’Grady and Nicholson, the latter a son of the late AVilliam Nicholson, at one time Chief Secretary of A r ietoria. The former was saved. Tlie officers' names were:—Jas. Randolph Taylor, master; Charles George, first mate; Charles Henry Baker, second mate; Charles AVm. McEwan, third mate (saved); and Albert Parker, fourth mate.” A short time afterwards, the lion, the Chief Secretary received a similar telegram. As soon as Air. Francis' received this telegram, he issued orders that H.M.C.S. A r ictoria should be made ready to proceed to sea, if necessary; but the arrival of the ketch Kangaroo in the Bay, and the story of the survivors from the wreck', soon showed that the journey of the Victoria to the scene of disaster would be a useless one, unless it was to bury the bodies washed ashore since tlie departure of the Kangaroo, or to carry away the few cases of cargo that might reach the beach.

After leaving the Mersey, heavy weather from the eastward was experienced until the ship was clear of the land, and a smart run was made to the latitude of Madeira. Tlie N.E. trades were shortly afterwards fallen in with, and were earned -well to the southward, the S.E. trades being picked up about 2deg. north. These trade winds were also favorable, and the ship made such a good course, that great anticipations were indulged in of making a rapid passage out. After losing the S.E. trades, however, some dirty weather wa3 experienced until after passing tlie meridian of the Cape of Good Hope. Captain Taylor evidently did not intend to run his easting down in a very high latitude, as fie kept well to the northward, anti at the time of year necessarily met with some heavy weather. He was compelled to heave tlie ship to when off St. Paul’s Island, and during this time she shipped some very heavy seas which somewhat disturbed tlie chronometers. That was the impression of Captain Taylor, who during tlie voyage made observations at every possible opportunity in order to correct; the chronometers. For some days before the wreck the weather was too thick to take a meridian observation, and it may therefore be surmised that Captain Taylor was unable to get the exact latitude of the vessel, and, being somewhat to the southward of his reckoning, brought his ship in too close proximity to King’s Island. There is no doubt, however, that lie thought he had plenty of seaway in front of him, as on Friday, May 22nd, wiien the first watcli was called", from 8 p.m. to midnight, the ship was running under two lower topsails, reefed foresail, fore-topmast staysail, and main staysail, the wind being on the starboard quarter, and the course somewhat to the northward of east. The second officer, Air. Charles H. Baker, had the first watch on the night of Friday, May 22nd, and when he took charge of the deck the ship was making about six knots an hour. AVhen the watch was called at midnight the chief officer took charge of the deck, and an able seaman named Joseph Cunningham went on the forecastle as a look-out, and a man was also sent up occasionally to the topsail yard to look out for the land. Nothing was seen up to 2 a.m., when AVm. Smith went to tlie wheel. About half an hour afterwards the chief officer, who was looking over the lee-side, saw tlie loom of tlie land ahead. He at once called all hands, ordered the watch to “haul out the spanker," and put the helm down to bring her round. The ship came quickly round before the spanker was set, and the mainsail and mizzentopsail, together with the jib andmaintopmast staysail, were at once put on her in order to claw her off the land. She had not been standing on her new course five minutes when the look-out man (Thos. Crowan) sang out “ Breakers ahead.” Tlie captain was by this time on deck, but before lie could give any orders tlie ship struck heavily, and for a few minutes it was expected that tlie masts would go by the board. Up to this time tlie passengers had been totally unacquainted with any possibility of danger, but the severe shock of the ship striking brought them rushing on deck, and a most heartrending scene occurred. There were several women on hoard, together with many young girls, and the screams and prayers for'rescue from these were appalling. Tlie women and children had congregated on the poop, and were clinging to the mizzen rigging within a few minutes of the ship striking. Tlie captain and mate at once gave orders to “ Clear away the boats.” Air. Baker (the chief officer) at the same time ran towards the cabin for the purpose of getting an axe in order to cut away the masts. The third mate (Mr. McEwan), who had been confined to his cabin for a fortnight with feyer, bearing tlio shock, rushed on deck, and, seeing the land close to, seized some clothing and took bis station on the quarter-dock. Tlio carpenter had sounded the pumps, and was reporting to the captain at the time tlie men wero clearing away the boats. There was no hurry or confusion, but, according to orders, tlio starboard watch wont to the forward boats, the port watch clearing away the after boats. The forward boats were secured on the top of the

house on deck, and the first attempt was made to cast loose the gig. Tlie first and third mates, together with several seamen, cut the lashings loose and tried to launch the boat, but as tlie ship rolled heavily at the time the gig fell between the bulwarks and the house on deck, and was smashed. At the same moment a heavy sea swept across tlie 'midships of the vessel, and the chief officer, together with several seamen, were drowned. The third officer, seeing the sea coming, made a run for the fore-rigging, and with a couple of seamen who followed his example, managed to secure their escape. The next sea that came on board swept away the mizzenmast, and with it the crowd of passengers who had taken to the poop and were clinging to tlie mizzen rigging. Heavy seas continued to sweep across tlie illfated vessel, and a few minutes afterwards the mainmast went over the side. The effect of the heavy sea now began to tell, as the decks showed signs of bursting, and soon those individuals wiio were clinging on the fore-rigging found themselves washed away by a heavy sea that nearly- swamped them ; they had scarcely relieved themselves from this sea when the ship slipped off the rock and went into deep water. Tlie third mate and some others managed to secure some timber which had floated out of the hold, and made towards the shore. This was a matter of difficulty, but, trusting to the tide and current, they managed, after considerable bruising and knocking about among the rooks, to secure a footing on dry land. As they found they had timber, and that some provisions and cargo had been floated ashore, they managed to provide some accommodation for themselves. A cask of spirits was washed ashore, and this was found most useful. The rescued crew having rested on Sunday, on the next morning made a start down tlio coast in order to ascertain whether there was any one living on the island. On their way they saw several dead bodies, but upon reaching Currie Harbor they found a hunter named McPherson stopping there, who gave them every assistance. They also found with him one of their companions named Cunningham, who had managed to escape from the wreck.

The bodies found on the beach and buried by the survivors were—Airs. Thomas, second cabin passenger ; steerage passengers, Afrs. Blackburn, Airs. Alills, Alias Tilly Dale, Aliss Ellen Hayes, Mr. AVilliam Pierce, and Aliss Alary Conley. The body of Aliss Alary Treahy was also seen entangled among the rocks, but could not be rescued for burial. It is said that this young lady lias relations in Alelbourne, keeping an hotel in Ireland Street, West Melbourne.

It may be somewhat a matter of surprise as to how the seaman Cunningham should come across his comrades on King’s Island after both had given themselves up for lost. It appears, however, that when the order was given to “ Clear away the boats,” the second officer and several others made at once for a boat on the “ skids,” which they managed to cast loose. It was, however, jammed in the mizzen rigging, and it was with the greatest difficulty that they got the boat clear before the ship sank. As soon as the boat was clear, the oars were shipped with the intention of keeping as close as possible to tlie wreck during the night, but the wind and sea were too strong, for when the day dawned nothing could be seen of the British Admiral. Tlie crew, being cold and weary, pulled along the coast with the view of finding some place to land at. After puJliug some distance to the northward, they made for tlie shore, but in tlie first row of “ breakers” the boat was capsized. At the time of the accident the following persons wero in the boat:—Air. Baker, second mate ; A. AVellesley, A.B. ; AVilliam Tyrer, A.B. ; Cunningham, A.B. ; James Dutton, boy ; Alessrs. O’Grady and Nicholson, saloon passengers ; and Air. Jones, steerage passenger. Cuningliam, O’Grady, and .Jones managed to get on the bottom of the boat and were drifted on shore, where they were soon afterwards picked up by tlie hunter AlePkerson, who gave them every assistance in tlie way of food "and dry clothing. The whole of the rescued men came together next day, and as tlie ketch Kangaroo was seen at anchor under New Year’s Island, one of the hunters pulled a boat across to her, and she at once made for King’s Island, and taking the shipwrecked men on board, made a start for Alelbourne.

The Telegraph says : —Tlie British Admiral was an iron ship of 1733 tons register, was built last year by Hoyden, of Liverpool, and belonged to the British Ship Owning Company (Limited). This was tlie first voyage of the British Admiral, but she had made a start previously, and met with a mishap, which one or two of her crew looked upon as a bad omen. The mishap in question was the loss of her masts in the Bay of Biscay during a very heavy gale of wind, and the vessel had to return to port and refit. As soon as she was got ready for sea again she took her departure from Liverpool, on the 23rd February last. AVhen tlie wreck occurred, there was one of tlie passengers—who was subsequently washed overboard and drowned—who appears to have been particularly cool and collected on the occasion, for one of tlio surviving crew heard him ask the captain, on the poop, while the seas were breaking heavily over the vessel, and every moment carrying with them to a watery grave some one or other of the human freight who were holding on tenaciously to whatever they could grasp, “How has this come to pass, captainand Captain Taylor replied,

“ Tlie chronometers must have been out.” Tlie probability is that the nine men who are in the Sailors’ Home are the sole survivors of tlie eighty-eight who left Liverpool. The sufferings of the survivors were very great. The weather was bitterly cold on tlie morning of tlie wreck, and during the hour and a half that they were holding on to tlie rigging before tlie ship went down, besides the piercing blasts of tlie gale, which nearly blew them from their hold, heavy showers of hail fell at intervals, causing them considerable pain. Then they were, they reckon, at least two hours in the water after the vessel sunk before they readied tlie shore in an exhausted condition, by which time it was broad daylight. It was not until Sunday morning that they were sufficiently recovered to be able to look to their comfort, and they then made a tent out of some bolts of calico which had been washed ashore from the wreck, which by this time had been considerably broken up, and gathered some biscuit soaked in salt water, upon which they had to subsist until the following day, Their strength having by this time returned to them to a certain extent, they wandered down the beach in search of assistance, and fortunately met a party of hunters, who brought to the nearly starving sufferers their stock of provisions, and shared it with them. One of the seamen was somewhat injured by having been dashed against the rocks, and one of the hunters named Waite took him to his house, and attended him as lie best could with the limited means at his command. AVaite then proceeded to the yellow rock, a few miles from the scene of the shipwreck, where he know the fishing party belonging to tlio ketch Kangaroo were plying their occupation, and asked their aid. On the Thursday, the survivors, accompanied by two of the liuntera, proceeded along the coast to sec if they could find any of their previous comrades. Most of the bodies were frightfully mutilated, having been pecked almost to pieces by the seabirds. In every case the eyes had been pecked out, and the head was almost completely severed from one of the bodies. Yesterday being the ninth day from the date of the wreck, tlie remaining bodies of the drowned would rise to the surface, but it is not probable that any will be found, as sharks abound among the reefs about King’s Island. Mr. McEwan, tlie third officer, informs us that during the voyage out the ship, when off the Capo of Good Hope, was struck by a stupendous 'sea on the starboard quarter, and he heard tlio captain subsequently say that “ that sea had put the chronometers wrong.” No light was seen on King’s Island. The cargo consisted of spirits, tobacco, timber, and general merchandise, aud there was also on board a large quantity of railway iron and machinery. A number of cases of rum, brandy, beer, provisions, and general merchandise were washed ashore, hut by tho action of the surf were rapidly covered with sand. The survivors were unable to recover any of their effects, and they landed in Melbourne without a second

suit of clothes, anil penniless. The third officer remarked, “From what tlie hunters told us, I hope this wreck will be the means of a lighthouse being placed on that part of the island.” Among the things washed ashore was the box containing the ship’s papers, which were brought in, and are now in the custody of the Customs authorities. Wagard, one of the surviving seamen, gives us some information regarding the death of Mr. Nicholson. He states :—“ When the ship struck, and it was found that nothing could be done to save us, I went into tho mizzen rigging, and when the mizzen-mast fell I was about half-an-hour before I could clear myself, as it stuck to the wreck and I got entangled among the ropes. I managed at last, however, to get clear, aud scrambled on to the pig-house, but was washed off. I got hold of a plank, and saw Mr. Nicholson and about twenty others holding on to a large spar. A lot of these were 'washed oft* by tlie heavy seas which rolled over them, and I saw Mr. Nicholson at his last gasp. I was washed by him and actually touched him, but I could not give him any help. It was as much as I could do to hold on to my plank.” It appears that Captain Taylor had never sailed to this coast before. This was her first voyage to Australia, and various opinions are expressed by old masters of vessels as to how he got into the position he was in when his vessel was wrecked. Some aver that it must have been from a want of knowledge of the coast, while others contend that he must have been careless. The latter supposition, howevei*, holds no ground in the face of the statements of the surviving members of the crew, including his third officer, who all say that he was a very careful commander, and was on deck a great deal oftener than was absolutely necessary.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. Additional particulars have been ascertained. It was stated that of the nine survivors, not one of them saved anything, but it has since been learned that Mr. McEwan, though ho was washed ashore without even a proper suit of clothes upon him, recovered what he considers more valuable than “money,” or “kit,” viz., what lie calls . his “valuables.” These consist of a handsome silver watch aud chain, which were presented to him by the inhabitants of Chester for his heroic conduct in saving the lives of three people who but for him would have been drowned in the river Dee, and a silver medal presented to him by the Royal Humane Society of Englaud on the same occasion. It appears that McEwen was iu a small punt making for a yacht in the river, when he saw two boats come into collision. He at once pulled to the spot, and seeing several people struggling in the water, took off his boots and jumped in after them. He first picked up a man, whom he carried to a boat close at hand and placed him in it ; he then rescued a lad and swam with him to the shore, and subsequently he saved the life of another man, carrying him to another boat. These trophies of his pluck he kept in a small box in his bunk, and the day after the "wreck of the British Admiral he found the box on the beach, it having been washed ashore after the vessel broke to pieces. The survivors of the wreck, when they were cast upon tlie beach, were too exhausted to seek shelter, aud lay on the sand while heavy hail showers poured down pitilessly upon them. So soon as they had recovered from their weariness their first thought was to kindle a fire, with which to instil some warmth into their cold and wearied bodies, but they had no matches—and even if they had they would have been too damp to be fit for use—and from Saturday morning until Monday, when they met the hunters, they shivered in their wet clothes, having nothing to sustain their strength beyond a few biscuits saturated with salt water, which they had picked up outlie beach, and which had been washed ashore from the wreck. On the Sunday afternoon they found a magnifying glass, and they tried to kindle a fire by means of this, but the rays of the aun were not powerful enough to enable them to achieve their object. When they met the hunters, on the Monday morning, their first question was—“ Have you got any matches V* and as the hunters had some with them, a fire was at once built and lighted, and the poor exhausted shipwrecks warmed their weary limbs, aud got some new life instilled into them. After they were able to move about they discovered the remains of the huts erected by the passengers of the Netherby, which was wrecked near the same spot about six years ago ; but these were all in ruins, aud consequently unavailable ; so they had to content themselves with lodging in a rude tent, which they constructed out of some calico which had been washed ashore.