Wreck of the Clyde.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 280, 7 November 1884, Page 2

Wreck of the Clyde.

EIGHTEEN LIVES LOST. ONLY ONE SURVIVOB. [Own Correspondent.] Christchurch, November 7. About 4 o’clock yesterday morning the barque Clyde, from Dunedin to Lyttelton, was wrecked in Horseshoe Bay, near Akaroa, and all aboard were drowned, except a lad named Gibson. The Clyde was from Mauritius, sugar laden, and arrived in Dunedin on the 29th ult., and after discharging a part of her cargo there, left for Lyttelton. Her master was Captain Clumcr, who had on board with him his wife and three children (girls.) The Survivor (Gibson) states that at the time of the wreck the morning was foggy, and the sea rather heavy. He had turned in only a few minutes when he heard the look-out man call “ land on the lee bow.” All hands were called up to put the ship about, but she missed stays. The Captain tried to wear the vessel, but she struck amidships. A boat was lowered and the Captain ordered Gibson and another boy into it, and put his wife and children in, but the boat was swamped, and the woman and children were dragged aboard ship. Gibson, seeing the mainmast falling, dived and got to the spanker boom and on board, when he saw the Captain bleeding and stunned, floating with two children about the deck, which was under water. Gibson pulled the children out, and they, with the boatswain, mate, and others, got into another boat, which was also swamped among the wreckage. Gibson again got on the spanker boom, and saw the Captain’s body and a girl nine years of age float by. Gibson seized the child, but a heavy sea swept over him, and he lost his hold. He then got in the deck house drifting by, and was carried into a little bay, whence he managed to reach the shore. He walked some miles to McPhail’s house, whence the news of the wreck was sent. Gibson afterwards returned to the shore, and was taken on board the steamer Akaroa, which had been sent to the scene of the wreck before it was known how serious the calamity was. In all eighteen souls perished. Capt. Clumer was fairly well known in Dunedin, and was much respected. The vessel was owned by J. and W. Ellis, of Newcastle, and was insured in various offices.