Wreck of the Lastingham.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 229, 6 September 1884, Page 2

Wreck of the Lastingham.

OFFICIAL INQUIRY. [Per Press Association] . Wellington, September 6. A preliminary enquiry was held into the wreck of the Lastingham yesterday morning before the Collector of Customs. John Neale (chief officer), said nothing worthy of remark occurred during the voyage until they made the land and sighted Mount Egmont at 8 a.m. last Monday. The weather was fine with a strong breeze. At noon sighted Kapiti, the wind increasing and bringing rain. Shortened sail, and at 3 p.m. hove ship to with the wind on the starboard tack, heading about W by S. Kept this course till 8.15 p.m., when land was sighted. It was blowing a gale. The weather was thick, and the land seen was Cape Jackson, but did not know then what land it was. The land appeared over the quarter. At once made sail to clear it, and shortly after land was reported ahead. We then wore the ship to attempt to clear the land first seen, but found that impossible, for land loomed at two or three points on the weather bow. Then attempted to wear ship again, and in the act of wearing she struck the land end on. All hope of saving the ship being gone, everyone tried to save himself by clambering over the bows on to the rocks. The ship then canted broadside on to the sea, and the top hamper was soon swept away. It was about 10 p.m. when she struck, and in the course of an hour or less the cries of those on board had all ceased, and no trace of the ship could be discerned. It was then properly my watch on deck, but all hands had been on deck at their respective stations from the I

time of sighting land at 8.15 p.m., and the wearing and management of the ship was under the captain’s directions. At daylight all that was to be seen was a little wreckage, and on counting the hands only 14 were found. No house or shelter could be seen, nor had we any food but a tin of oatmeal which was washed ashore. The crew consisted of 26 hands all told. The captain’s wife in the saloon, and four steerage passengers, were also on board.

John Leife Barton corroborated the first mate. He said he came on deck at 8 p.m. when called, and saw land looming ahead. After the ship struck and canted round# l only two of those who did not get ashore when the vessel was end on to the rocks escaped drowning. Within an hour, he should judge, the ship had broken up and disappeared.

It is not decided whether further evidence shall be taken.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. A large quantity of the plant for the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company was lost in the ship Lastingham. The following are the insurances known to have been effected in various offices doing business in this city, on merchandise per Lastingham, viz.:—New Zealand, £5OO ; Colonial, £2,800 ; National, £6,700 ; South British, £5,571 ; Victoria, £1,700; Standard, £385; Universal Marine, £475. The total amount ascertained so far, is £17,121. The amount of insurance on the hull which is held at risk by the same offices has not been ascertained. It is contemplated by the insurance companies interested to despatch a steamer to the scene of the wreck for the purpose of ascertaining whether any of the property can be recovered. Captain Morrison was a gentleman who had been to New Zealand before. He was about 60 years of age, and was considered one of the most experienced sailors engaged by the company. The greater part of his life, we understand, was spent in China, where he commanded several clippers well-known in those days when communication between Great Britain and the Flowery land was by sailing vessels only. His wife usually sailed with him, and was in the company of her husband when the vessel was stranded. The Lastingham had a full general cargo for Wellington, besides the following for other ports—Napier, 40 tons ; Nelson, 10 tons; Wanganui, 7 tons; Greymouth, 124 tons; Blenheim, 10 tons.

THE CARPENTER’S STATEMENT. Robert Robertson, carpenter of the ship Lastingham, has made a statement. He says the ship struck about 10.30 p.m. He went forward and found the ship right upon the rocks. Somebody said the chief officer had given orders for himself, but he did not hear him. When he got forward he found several of the crew clambering along the jibboom and dropping on the rocks beneath. He followed and found himself safe. The people were running in all directions. Those on shore saw a crowd on the poop and called to them to save themselves as they had done. He belived the captain’s wife was downstairs when the ship struck. She hung on the rock three or four minutes, and then slipped into deep water. A terrible surf commenced to break over her broadside on, and she rolled heavily and commenced to settle down, but lines of people were still to be seen standing aft, and several human beings were seen in the main rigging. Several made attempts to get ashore with ropes round then' bodies, but soon became exhausted and was hauled on board again. The ship then commenced breaking up. A heavy sea carried away the deck house, smashing the boats and carrying them away. The main and mizzen-royal masts followed. Some of the party then found Graves and Fryer who had been washed ashore, and these were assisted on to the rocks. The heavy sea continued to make clean breaches over her. The mainmast was carried away, and the foremast followed, tearing up the decks. The sea was covered with wreckage and they distinctly heard cries for help from the vessel, which gave several heavy lurches and then disappeared. The mizzen-mast was still standing. They watched till daybreak if any of the survivors came ashore on the wreckage, but as there were none they crawled to the summit of the hill. They separated into parties, some to search for survivors and others to seek for assistance. One party saw several sheep, but being fatigued, and having no boots on, they did not attempt to pursue them. It blew and rained heavily, and was bitterly cold. A touching incident is described by Grove, an A. 8., who says before he left the vessel he went below to ask the captain’s advice. The captain was seated at the cabin table with his arm around his wife’s waist. They were both up to their bodies in water. The captain did not answer him, and Grove went back to the poop, shook hands with all who were gathered there, and then jumped overboard and got safe ashore.

The Court found that an error of judgment was committed by the master in standing on the tack too long, and this in their opinion led to the disaster. No blame was attached to the officers before the Court. The Court desired to mention that it attributed no blame to the officers of the vessels which passed the scene of the wreck, as it was possible they did not see the men on shore, and the latter had no means of making signals.