WRECK OF THE STEAMER CASHMERE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5167, 13 October 1877, Page 3

WRECK OF THE STEAMER CASHMERE.

(From the Melbourne Argus.) The correspondent of the Daily News, ■writing from Alexandria on July 22, gives particulars of the wreck of the steamer Cashmere, near Cape Guardafui. The occurrence is interesting to Victorian readers from the circumstance that the only lady saved was Mrs. Jackson, wife of Mr. James Jackson, who is a son of Mr. Jackson, the original proprietor and builder of Toorak. Mr. Jackson had recently been married at Natal, and was on his way to England with his bride. The following is the account of the disaster:— " I little thought when writing an account of the Meikong's wreck, on the 2nd July, I should have to report the loss of another mail steamer on the same spot within a fortnight. The British India Mail steamer Cashmere was, however, totally wrecked near Cape Guardafui, on Thursday evening, the sth July. The Cashmere, with mails and passengers, left Zanzibar at noon on the 30th June, bound for Adea Beyond the usual disagreeable incidents of a south-west monsoon passage, all went well until the 4th July, 8 p.m., when the ship was found to be running into breakers. The engines were at once reversed, steam was blown off, but all too late, as, with canvass set, she took the reefs, and turned broadside to the sea. In a very short time her engine-room was full of water. As with the Meikong, it was seen at once that any chance of saving the ship was hopeless. She had run into Sandy Bay at the false point of Cape Guardafui exposed to the full force of the wind and surf. Preparations were at once made for landing, and during the night all hands were out of the ship, but unfortnately every one did not reach the shore. One boat, containing several ladies, children, and a gentleman, wa3 stove in while still in the slings, and seven passengers were drowned. One lady and a boy were snatched on board from the damaged boat. The second officer was drowned in the execution of his duties. In all 89 souls were saved. Camping out for the night as best they could, they were soon surrounded by the Soumalis, who were at first inclined to be far from friendly, but two or three gentlemen speaking Swahili, some of which was understood by the Soumalis, and every one showing a bold and cool front, no personal violence was offered. The men from the Cashmere kept strict watch, and beyond passing an anxious aDd fatiguing night, no actual suffering was experienced. On Friday, the 6th July, boats were kept going between the shore and the ship, and whatever could be brought away under such difficult circumstancea was landed. This did not amount to much, but some small baggage, a little spirit and stores proved very useful afterwards. In this case the sufferers were not destined to be rescued within 24 hours, aB was the lot of those wrecked in the Meikong. They were five nights and five days without succour. On the afternoon of 3?riday, July 6, the sea making a clean breach over the ship, one of the masts went by the board, and at night the ship broke in two in a line with the funnel. During the same night the bodies of Mrs. Beveridge, of Mrs. Roberts and her ayah were washed on shore and were buried. It now became necessary to move away, and to get over to the other Bide of the cape into smooth water, and whore they might be seen by passing ships. To accomplish this journey of 10 miles over the burning sand and rocks, the captain succeeded in hiring 16 camels. Thus the one lady saved, some aged delicate people, and the baggage were, comparatively speaking, comfortably provided for, and starting at 6 o'clock on the morning of Saturday, the 7th July, the whole party arrived safely over the point at 11 a.m. Whilst winding their way

down to the shore they saw a steamer bound for Aden at no great distance from them, and they were naturally buoyed up with the hopes of speedy release, but their flag of distress and all kinds of signals failed to attract the attention of anyone on board. The steamer, strangely enough, proved to be the Almora, a sister ship to the Cashmere. Arrived at the place where the Meikong's passengers embarked on board the Glenartney, the Cashmere party found about 20 huts stored with tea, silk, guttapercha, and other China produce, biit there being little water and no provisions to be obtained, and the natives, who were very obstructive, wishing to get ndof them, agreed with the chief to furnish five boats to convey all hands to a small port called Abola, about 30 miles distance, near Elephant rock to westward from Cape Guardafui. On Sunday, the Bth July, they embarked early in the morning, but the breeze dying away, their little fleet, unable to reach the port, anchored for the night in a very heavy, dangerous swell, but proceeding on Monday, the 9th July, with a fair wind, they soon arrived at the port in question. Here they found a Hindoo merchant and other persons quite ready to do business. Sheep, rice and bad water were had for payment. Tire's were made, and the first regular meal was obtained since the previous Thursday. By this time night had set in, and arrangements were made for guarding the persons and property of the little colony; but early in the morning of Tuesday, the 10th July, every one was up and doing. The chief officer and some of the crew went out to sea in one of the native boats, to attract the attention of and to intercept any homewardbound steamer. They had not many hours to wait, for soon after noon the shipwrecked party on Bhore, who had seen a steamer in the distance steering for Aden, were cheered by the sight of the vessel's head turned towards them. The steamer proved to be the Queen Margaret, commanded by Captain Butler, who having descried the boat, at once rendered the assistance sought for, and, having approached as close as was prudent to the African shore, in one hour and a half every soul was safely on board, receiving such care and welcome as only sailors can give. Starting at i p.m. on Tuesday, the Queen Margaret arrived at Aden at 3 a.m. on Thursday, 12th July. The loss of the Meikong and of the Cashmere on almost the same spot, probably from the same causes, must draw renewed attention to the necessity of a firstclass light either at Cape Guardafui or on Kas Hafun. There may be physical and financial difficulties in the way, but these must be overcome. I believe her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Cairo is at this moment bringing the matter under the notice of the Khedive."