WRECK OF THE MAITAI. FOUNDERED OFF THE RED MERCURY. PURSER AND SECOND STEWARD DROWNED. THE SURVIVORS IN AUCKLAND. A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Auckland, June 4.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 375, 8 June 1889, Page 3

WRECK OF THE MAITAI. FOUNDERED OFF THE RED MERCURY. PURSER AND SECOND STEWARD DROWNED. THE SURVIVORS IN AUCKLAND. A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Auckland, June 4.

Great excitement was caused in town early lasb evening by the circulation of a report that the Union Company's coastal steamer Maitai had been wrecked off the Red Mercury, on the East Coast, and th<\t two of the crew had been drowned. The report was only t> o true, and full particulars of the casualty were obtained by a Star representative from the survivors, who arrived here by tue Government steamer Hinemoa, in charge of Captain Fairchild, about 7 p.m. The Hinemoa had been standing off and on in the vicinity of Ouvier and Bariier Islands for some time on Sunday last, being unable j to effect a landing, and to fill in the time Captain Fairehilcl steamed to Mercury Island to get some sand. Here he found Captain Dawson, master of the Maitai, eighteen of the ill-fated vessel's crew and seven passengers, who had been cared for during the day by JMr J. Cook, owner of the Great Mercury. Captain Fairchild took all hands on board of the Hinemoa, and brought them on to Auckland direct. Captain Dawson, the chief officer (Mr W. Miller), and second officer (Mr Ansell) pi*oceeded to Captain McCabe's boarding-house in Hardinge-street, Freeman's Bay, and the chief steward, seamen, and firemen put up at the Sailors' Home.

THE CASUALTY. A Star representative called upon Captain Dawson and his officers lasb evening:, and also interviewed several of tho survivors at the Sailors" Home, and obtained from these various sources a full and descriptive account of the wreck and rescue of the crew. The Maibai, which is one^- of the Union Company's East Coast traders, left Gisborne about 9.30 a.m. on Friday morning last, cal'ed at Tokomaru, Waipiro, Awanui, and Oreti Point, and left the latter at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday for Auckland. She steered a course to clear Red Mercury Island, and experienced a heavy head sea and norbh-6ast wind. At 5 o'clock on Sunday morning the Red Mercury was four points on the port bow, and Captain Dawson then stood direct for Red Mercury Island at half speed for forby minutes. Then he continued his course, keeping the island abeam. The wind was still very boisterous, a heavy gale blowing from N.E. to E.N.E , and there was a very heavy sea running. At 6.20 a.m.

THE STEAMER .STRUCK SOME. " THING. evidently a submerged rock. The vessel b,eing full of cargo did not rebound very much, bub the shock nevertheless was alarming. It is described by one of the sailors as like the noise made by a burning house falling. The ship bumped a second time, and the hatches were burst open. It was at once evident that the Maitai was very seriously damaged, for water rushed into the hold and threatened to overwhelm the vessel and all on board at any moment. After striking the rock twice the Maitai got clear, and Captain Dawson steamed for the shore full speed.

A PERILOUS MOMENT. Immediately it became evident that the lives of those on board were in danger, the boats were got ready, and beinrj so constantly in use at coastal ports, they were fortunately in good order and perfectly seaworthy. Two boats were lowered successfully, and Captain Dawson remained in charge of the Maitai, superintending the disembarkation. Great difficulty was experienced in getting the passengers into the boats, which could nob be brought close alongside of the steamer, owing to the heavy sea running. Captain Dawson had actually to throw some of the passengers into the water in order that they might be picked up by the

boats. A MAN DUOWNED. The port life-boat was in charge of Chief Officer Mitterrand she was the first launched. Mr Miller made the boat fast to the steamer by the painter, and the chief engineer stood by to let go the rope if necessary. The forecabin steward (George Archer), one of the firemen, and a lamp trimmer also got into the boat to stand by, and just at this moment the purser, unknown to the chief officer, let go the fall, and sent the boat under water, end on. She filled rapidly, and Archer was washed overboard' and drowned. No attempt could be made to render him assistance, for he wa« never seen again. The other occupants of Che boat succeeded in holding on to her until she was righted.

" JUMP FOR YOUR LIVES." The greatest difficulty was now experienced in getting the passengers to jump overboard in order that they might be picked up by the boats. The chief officer's boathad to be kepb a distance of 30 or 40 feefc from the vessel, and she was almost full of water. Captain Dawsou called out to both crew and passengers, "Jump for your lives ; the ship is going down," and several obeyed the order promptly. Thes3 were immediately hauled into the boats. Others, however, had actually to be thrown overboard by the captain, and he experienced the greatest difficulty with one lady passenger, who declined to take the dangerous plunge. Eventually she was induced to jump overboard in company with the skipper, and fortunately both succeeded in reaching one of the boats, which took them on board.

THE PURSER DROWNED. All hands had now lett the ship excepting i he purser, Mr R. H. Larsen, who for some unexplained reason had nob ventured to jump overboard. He was seen to go on the bridge and heard to cry out for help. He appealed to those in the boats to put back for him, bub as the steamer was apparently just about to sink, such a proceeding would have imperilled many lives. The chief mate called to Mr Larsen, " No, we can't come back ; jump, jump for your life, and we will save you. The purser, however, stuck to the bridge, and refused to take the plunge which was the only chance of safety offered. He seemed to be dazed, and when last seen he was clinging to one of the davits with both hands. FOUNDERING OF THE STEAMER. The steamer sank rapidly, going down bow first, and the purser sank with her. As she disappeared beneath the waves, the purser's cap was seen floating on the water, but the purser himself was never seen afterwards. The steamer sank at 6.30 a.m., or just ten minufces after she struck, so that the perilous experiences of those on board so far occupied even shorter time than they take in recording. One of the survivors, who was asked to describe the casualty, said, * l Well, there's nothing to tell. -The vessel

[ struck on a rock and sank, and it was all 1 over so quickly that it seemed the work of a rnomont;" Captain Dawson ancli his officers worked admirably, and to their coolness and courage, is no doubt due the saving of so many valuable lives. Captain Dawson was the last to leave the ship, with the exception of tho purser and engineer. Tho engineer held the painter ot one ot the boats until tho last moment, and he jumper! overboard with tho rope in his hands, by which moans ho was enabled to join his comrades.

A MISERABLE TRIP. Both boats then steered for the shore* whioh to« not far distant, bufc considerable difficulty was experienced in finding a suitable landing. The two boats carried a total of twenty-nine persons, including Captain Dawson, two mates, eight passengers, two firoinen, two engineers, two stewards, a cook and stewardess, one of the passengers being a littlo girl, In the port life-boat theio were nine persons, including Captain Daw. c on and the chiof officer, and the other boat, which was in chai'ge of the second officer, Mr Ansell, contained the rest of the survivors. Both boats had a rough timo ot it getting ashore, the mate's boat being nearly six hours rowing round the island before a landing was eHected. Every one of the oc cupants was soaked to the skin, and many of them were only partially clothed, having been unable to save anything of greater value or utility.

THE RESCUE. As the chief officer's boat approached the landing tho occupants were delighted to see signs of habitation, and called loudly for assistance. The call was promptly responded to by Mr J. Cook, the owner of Great Mei-ciiry Island, who assisted the shipwrecked people ashore, took them to his house, gave, them dry clothing and food, all of which was very urgently required. Mr Cook learned from this boat's crow tho particulars of tho casualty, and also that the other boat belonging to tho Maitai, containing some seventeen persons, was supposed to have landed at the other side of island. Mr Cook, accompanied by a com panion, Mr Goidon, at once proceeded to the other side of the island on horseback, with all possible speed, cantering up the hills and sliding down over very uneven country until they met two of the second boat's party exploring on the i*anges. Mr Cook learned from these men that there were cnoup-h hands left to pull the boat round to his quarters on the other side of the island, and as the small craft was rather over-crowded with its seventeen occupants, he recommended these two and three others whom he subsequently came across to walk overland. Messrs Cook and Gordon then rode on to the coast and found the boat hauled up high and dry on a rocky beach.

A MISERABLE POSITION. The lest of the ocoupauts were found camped in the bush, a short) distance inland, under the shelter of some brees. Having no tent, they were exposed to the full severity of the weather, which was very inclement, and the rain was dripping down upon them from the branches of the tree?. They had succeeded in lighting two fires, but being entirely without food and shelter, were in a most pitiable plight. Mr Cook gave his horse to one of the shipwrecked mariners to ride overland, and went into the boat with the remainder of the party to pilot them to Bfuruki Harbour. T,he boat pulled four oars, and as the weather continued very stormy she laboured heavily, and made very slow progress. When bho haven of refuge was at last in view, the gale proved so violent that the boat could nob enter, and a landing had to be effected about half a milo away. Mr Cook's residence was reached about 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, when both parties found themselves united, and the late arrivals were plentifully supplied with food and clothing. The survivors spent the night under Mr Cook's roof, and after breakfast on Monday morning, about a dozen of the party set about gathering wood for a bonfire with the hope of attracting the attention of fche lona. Another party proceeded to the opposite side of the island to see whether there was any sign of wreckage. Just about this time a steamer was seen approaching the island, and she turned out to be the Hineinoa. One of the boats was promptly manned and rowed off to her, and when Captain Tairchild heard of the casualty he decided to take the survivors on to Auckland without delay, this port being reached without further mishap as Iready stated.

STATEMENT BY A PASSENGERMr Charles Wright, who was a passenger by the Maitai, kindly furnished a Stak reporter with the following account of the disaster, which contains some additional particulars :—: — The passengers were all in bed when the vessel struck, said Mr Wright. I can tell you exact time, for I looked at ray watch. It was exactly 6.20 a.m. when she struck ai,d 6.30 a.m. when sbe sank. The steamer went right over the rock with one &ea, and the succeeding wave carried her clear of the obstacle. The passengers were all aroused by the force of the concussion, and rushed on deck, most of theni very scantily clothed. There was however no excitement apparent, and it was scarcely poaaible to conceive that the situation was so perilous. The captain, first mate and second mate, were on deck, the second mate having charge of the surf boat, and the first mate charge of the lifeboat. Immediately the steamer went over the rocks Captain Dawson gave the order "full speed ahead," and had the vessel's head directed towards the land, which appeared to be about a mile and a half or two miles distant. Directly the vessel struck she commenced to make water in the forecastle, and as it was evident that she would founder in a very short space of lime the boats were ordered to be got in readiness to be lowered. There was no rushing for the boats, and everything was done quietly and in order by word of command from the captain. " When the boats had been lowered into . the water, and made fast to the steamer j by their painters, Captain Dawson gave the order ' Women in first,' and all of the female passengers excepting one were got into one of the boats by jumping. They jumped from the steamer's deck into a boat, which at this time was able to keep pi'etty close to the leeward side of the -vessel. Some of those who were taken off by the other boat had to jump into the water before they were picked up. 'The women were all passed into the second mate's boat, into which I also went myself. When we gob clear of the ship, the water was about up to the engines, and the vessel was gradually settling down into the water. The other boat, in charge of the first mate, from which Archer was lost, met with an accident when she was being lowered. The purser, who was on the deck with the lowering tackle in his hands, let go before he should have done so, and the boat pitching forward in the heavy sea filled with water and threw Archer out. He was never seen afterwards.

The capfcain, engineer, and purser remained on deck to the last. Captain Dawson knew thab there was another woman on board, although sho was nob to be seen. Ho ran round the deck in search of her, and finding her in the cabin, hurried her along to the side of the vessel, and told her to jump. She did so, and was saved. The puvdor about this time, had gono beow, probably to get some papers from his cabin, and Captain Dawson did not know that he was on board. The captain and engineer, belioving everybody else had gone, oventually jumped from the vessel into the turbid watei's, and were picked up in compin with fcho lady passontrer by the neares boat. We saw the purser, a moment later, cling ng to one of the davits, and .ab this time the vessel was just on the poinb of sinking. 1 We called Lo him from the boats bo jump foi his life, but he appeared to bo paralysed with fear, and conbinued to cling to bho support. The lasb we saw of him was when the vessel was iinally disappeaiing from tho surface, and as his head sank out of sight his cap was caught on a wave and floated past us. The boats necessarily kopt oub woll from tho sinking ship to avoid the suction, but at the same time every watch wa3 kepb for an)' trace of tho unfortunate young purser. Tho vessel having gone, however, the boats were headed for .Mercury Island. The pull was a long and trying one, and it was a quarter to ten when our boat effocbed a landing. After wo had hauled the boat up on bho beach wo cut down some trees and lit a tremendous big firo, which assisbed somewhat to allot iate our miserable condition, None of us were fully clad, and somo were very badly provided with clothing, while food we had none whatever. About 3 o'clock in tho afternoon we hoard a ll coo-ee," and saw a man approaching on horseback. Thib proved to be ilr Cook, the owner of the island, who had ridden over bo render whab assisbance he could, and bo invito us to come round to hiy quarters, where the other boat had got ashore. He brought with him a bottle of brandy, and gave the content* to those who desired it to stimulate their exhausted energies. Mr Cook dismounted from his horse, and I tolunteored bo ride him overland in order bo permit Mr Cook bo pilot tho boab round. I reached Mr Cook's station about 10.30 a.m , and the rest ot the party pub in an appearance ab 11 a.m. AIL were provided with food ii plenty, and, as far as possible, with changes of clothing. While we were on the island some of tho people were accommodated in huts and others in Mr Cook's house. Mr Cook made us vory comfortable indeed, and he is indebted to our hearty thanks. On tho following morning the lifeboat was mannedand we went out to look for some wood for the purpose ot making a boniiie to attract the attention of passing vessels, and Captain Dawson and I went up on a hill. While there we sighted a steamer approaching which Captain Dawton recognised as- the Hinemoa, and we immediately returned to the .house. It appearod that those in the lifeboat had seen the steamer about bho same time. They row cd alongside and Capbain Fairchild having been informed of our misfortunes sent one of his boats ashore te take the passengers off. Tho pass angers were taken off by the Iliuemoa's boat, and tho captain and officers and crew went oil in bho Maitai's bwo boats. We were very well trea'cd on board tho Hinemoa, and afber a very rough passage up arrived here shortly alter 7 o'clock last nighb. We had a miraculous escape, and on more bhan one occasion there seemed vory libtlo hope of our being saved.

A HEAVY LOSS. The captain, officers, crew, and pagseir gers lost everything they possessed excepting the clothes in which they escaped, and one passenger, whoso name I do not know, lost no less a sum than £300 in cash, which he had placed amDngst his luggage.