THE LOSS OF THE CALYPSC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 269, 22 June 1880, Page 2

THE LOSS OF THE CALYPSC.

We are permitted to publish tie following lett r received from a lady who was • passe ger by the Calypso, and recently a resident in Dunedin. Writing to a friend here she ?ays I suppose you have hoard of the 1 >s>. of the Calypso in the Thames on the 13th of Apr;l. What made the loss the more sad was the fact hat the night of the loss was the first night willed felt r ally safe. We were anchored all snag, and had a pilot on hoard the vessel, together with a steam tug K ing alongside of ns. The tug had had us in tow all the previous day, and we had anchored at 8 o’clock to wait tor the morning tide. At 3 o’clock in the morning we were all as'ccp, with the exception of the two men on the lookout. These latter saw a steamer bearing down on us, an 1 shouted to it to hold off. Their etf rts wore in vain, however, for on it came, and struck the Calypso with a fearful crash, I heard the crash and the confusion of voices hut thought for a mom-nit that those were caused by the men hauling up the anchor. My son James, however, almost immediately after o’x-ned the cabin door and quietly said ; “ Mother get up and come with me. ” I of course anxiously inquired if anything was wrong. He said : “Oh yes l yon had better just go to the other side of the vessel, and I will fetch the others.” He then told me take my blanke's with me I snatched them up, at the same time leading along Louisa, James cot the other little ones and brought them over to where we i were. By this t : rac you be sure, all [ was rush and hurry, everyone being ! intent on saving his life. Wo were handed up to a man who stood somewhere on the side of the steamer that had run into us. He passed us on to another man still higher on, and that passed us to a third sailor. It was like going up three stories. Tiro tiring happened so suddenly, I had no idea our vessel was sinking, but when I got on the steamer I could at once see such -was really tiro case. X cannot describe the scene. Wo were all in our nightdresses shivering balf-awako, and halfdead with frig!i V I must say my son James behaved like a hero ; and the vmnger ones never even cried, 'hie

mi board t .ok as to vny brolher-in-l.\ws. We were almost naked. 1 have lost vcr/lliing, except wlmt Jana'S and a friend of iiis managed to sai/ch up oa their wav from the vessel. 1 lio Captain however, sa'.m! part of my money. I only arrived at home a couple of days ago. I thought I should never have recovered the frignt, but I feel a little better ibis morning. Please lot my friends know of our safety. I have not strength at present to write to them, or to send you fuller particulars.Exchange.