THE ACCIDENT TO THE "SURAT."

Southland Times, Issue 755, 27 November 1867, Page 2

THE ACCIDENT TO THE "SURAT."

We are indebted to a passenger by the Nubai for the following account of the stranding of th» Surat in the Red Sea .— " A few words of information respecting the disaster which has befallen the Surat, the finest ship of the P. & O. Company on this side, will not he without interest to some. The Surat left Suez about 5 p.m., September 4th, with passengers and mails for Ceylon, Madras, Calcutta, China and Australia. At about 2-15 on the morning of the sth, many of the passengers were roused from sleep by a sensation which, once felt cannot soon be forgotten. A stiff grating sound, followed in in about five seconds by a shock which can scarcely be called severe, told every one who was awake that some disaster had occured. The impression was confirmed by the instant orders to reverse engines. On looking out, the reef was seen about 30 yards from the bow of the ship. The coast on the left appeared to be about three miles distant. The first question was. How had this noble vessel got into such a position ? The night was beatifully clear, — the outline of the mountains might plainly be seen, and there was just enough of a breeze to give distinctness to the surf breaking over the reef, A part of the reef was above water. Every effort was made to draw the steamer off by reversing the engines, but without success. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the 2nd officer was sent in a boat to Suez. It was hoped be would be able to speak with a steamer on her way. This proved to be the case. The officer was taken on board to Suez, and the knowledge of the disaster reached the agent of the P. & 0., and the captain of the Nubai about 8 o'clock on Friday morning. Preparations were instantly made to go to the assistance of the Surat. In the meantime a change had taken place in the position of the stranded TesseL On Saturday morning the Surat began to move. Every effort was made to draw her off. Unfortunately there was a strong wind and heavy sea, and she only turned round to go broadside on the reef. The strain on the vessel became now very great and this, together with the sea cashing occasionally over her, caused some of the passengers to feel alarm. The Nubai sent to her assistance from Suez appeared in sight. The steam tug followed shortly after, It was hoped that at least on the following day (Sunday), the passengers would be removed from the Surat to the Hubai. But the heavy sea carried away the rudder of the tug and in spite of her utmost efforts she was disabled. On Sunday evening the weather being favorable, the passengers were taken off in the life boats and put on board the Hubai between 7 and 9 o'clock. No sooner were the passengers safely on board, than the most energetic efforts were made to draw the nnfortunate veßsel off the reef, but without success, The Mails were taken on board, and on Tuesday morning at 7 o'clock the Nubai started on her way back to Suez. On Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock she left Suez for Aden. The heat was (as it usually is at this eeaßon) very great. On the evening of the vessel's departure from Aden, two gentlemen were carried off by the hand of death. Capfc- Spears the Mail Agent, and Captain Brownley of the 10th Regiment Foot, Madras. The Nubai, it will be observed, did her best to recover the time lost by the disaster of the Surat. The voyage from Sues to Aden was accomplished in 4 days and 17 hours, and the run from Aden to Galle in 7 days and 13 hours. (From the Ceylon Observer, September 28.)