WRECK OF THE S.S. WAIRARAPA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2733, 3 November 1894, Page 2

WRECK OF THE S.S. WAIRARAPA.

LOSS OF 134 LIVES. Auckland, November 1. The Wairarapa rau on the rocks at Great Barrier shortly after midnight on Sunday. Captain Mclntosh, 134 of the passengers, and crew are reported to have lost their lives. At the time of the occurrence the weather was thick and there was a heavy sea. The place where the steamer struck is known as Miner’s Head, the northernmost point of the Great Barrier. The passengers were in bed at the time, but were speedily aroused and life belts served out to them. Although the greatest alarm prevailed, and the scenes, more especially in the case of those who had children on board, were of a most pathetic and heartrending character, there was nothing approaching panic. Immediately the vessel struck Captain Mclntosh, Who was on the bridge at the time, gave orders to launch the boats, but owing to the great list of the vessel, and to the heavy seas which were breaking over her, this was a work of great difficulty, and it was almost impossible to take on board any of the passengers, as the lower portions of the deck were under water. An attempt was made to lower the starboard boats, but they were capsized, and a number of those who were in them were drowned. Life rafts were cut adrift, and were the means of saving a considerable number by enabling them to support themselves until rescued by boats. The captain was observed up to the last moment at his post, and as the bridge was carried away it was said that he was seen to plunge into the sea, and was not again observed. Apart from those on the bridge a number had sought safety in the fore and main rigging, and, although the funnel was carried away, the masts remained in position, and when daylight broke and the seas somewhat lulled communication with the shore was effected, at great risk, by two of the crew swimming ashore with Hues. By this means those in the rigging were hauled through the water. All succeeded in effecting a landing save two girls, who, letting go their hold of the rope, were swept away by the current and drowned. None of the survivors saved anything, many of them barely escaping with their lives in the scantiest clothing. After being o a the rocks for over thirty hours, with nothing more sustaining them than a few cases of oranges, which had been washed ashore from the wreck, the survivors were discovered by some Maori boats, and taken off to Catherine Bay. In the meantime the third officer and some of the crew made their way overland to Port Fitzroy and reported the catastrophe. The s.s. Argyle, which arrived at that port yesterday morning, took the survivors who had reached there on board, and proceeded to the scene of the wreck, and afterwards, going on to Catherine Bay, the remainder were taken on board and brought to Auckland, arriving about 3 o’clock this morning. A fireman named Charles Perry, who had been crushed by one of the boats and injured internally, was on arrival of the Argyle taken in an ambulance to the district hospital for treatment.

STORY OF THE DISASTER. The Wairarapa’s voyage commenced auspiciously enough. The splendid steel screw, steamship of 1786 tons register was in the best of trim and order as she cast off from the wharf at Sydney on Wednesday evening Oct. 24 at six o’clock. In all, she had about 230 souls on board, of whom the crew numbered about sixty. Her passenger accommodation was fully occupied, and those on board for Auckland fully anticipated landing on the Queen Street Wharf early on Monday morning last. At noon on Sunday she was off Spirits Bay, close to the North Cape. Here the fatal fog, in the obscurity of which the ship ran on to Great Barrier, came down and hid everything. The weather was exceddingly thick, and after Gape Maria was passed nothing whatever was seen until the survivors reached land at Great Barrier. On Monday morning a course was set for Cape Brett, and the ship kept on that course until about ten o’clock on Sunday night, when the vessel was somewhat to north of the Mokohinau lighthouse. Then the course was altered to steer outside (by Hen and Chicken Island). A bright lookout was kept for the light, but owing to the thick fog it could not have been seen. To this failure to pick up the Mokohinau light the loss of the steamer must be attributed. The captain continued on his course, steering almost due south from the vicinity of Mokohinau, outside of which light she must have passed several miles. Usually the Sydney steamers steer either five miles inside or five miles outside Little Barrier when approaching Auckland, but the Wairarapa, misled by the fog and the absence of the light, over-ran her course and brought up against the cliffs of the Great Barrier ten or fifteen miles out of her course. The distance from Mokohinau to Great Barrier is seventeen miles, and the steamer coming through the water at 13J knots an hour rapidly approached the island, those on board little reckoning that every mile carried them nearer death. Steaming at full speed through the fog thf) \yajrarapa suddenly ran

IJOAVS ON TO A STEER OjLIFE, with a fearful crash which aroused every? body on board. No one had any idea qf the whereabouts of the steamer. Some thought they were on the Hen and the actual position Eyeji the oncers did not knqw Adhere they were, and until morning the precise situation was unknown tq the survivors. A westerly breene was blowing, quid » big sea running, and in the intense darkness little could be seen but the white tops of breaking waves; but by straining their eyes those on board discovered on the starboanf lofty cliffs looming up out of the 'blackness.' Tlfp rgar pf the sea as it broke oh the rooks could be beard, and added a fresh horror to the precarious lot of the skip’s company. The captain and officers, when the dreadful truth broke upon them that the ship was yrepked, behaved with a full sense of their responsibility for the Ijves of the passengers, and came hurrying qp from below in their night garments. Women wore screaming and children crying. The docks were crowded with human beings, but fairly good order prevailed. Ullfcers and men ran to their posts, while Captain JVf/lntpsh remained at his station pii h.he bridge. The wreck was a FRIGHTFULLY SUDPEN PISASTEK. Going at full speed as she was ? the jago:pd ro.cks at the hasp of tho cliil had perforated her bottom, while the ship’s bow were stove in, Hebouuthng from the blow, the steamer hung on a sort of ledge, tho waves sending her over on fl ® r port side, and the saloon commenced to till. Tho terror-stricken passengers rushediu search of boats. Those on tho port side wore quickly swung out, bat there was great difficulty in Juuching them. The boats on the port side were quickly out, No. 0 being in the water in throd minutes, yhe starboard boats wore smashed, aud

the few who were in them were thrown into the raging water. Only two boats succeeding in eventually gaining the shore. The seas broke over the whole of the steamer, washing many of the passengers and crew overboard. The life rafts were the means of saving a great many. A few minutes after the ship struck she suddenly canted over to port, and the waves carried numbers overbaard. The boats which were safely launched stood by the ship till daylight picking up people wherever possible.

SIXTEEN HOUSES were among the deck cargo, and these broke adrift when the vessel canted over All the horses were drowned, but it is believed that by their kicking and plunging they killed or stunned several of the passengers. Those who did not leave in the boats or who did not get washed overboard took to the rigging. Captain M’lntosh was last seen as he disappeared with the bridge, a lady, it is said, being with him, besides several others of the passengers and crew.

WHEN DAYLIGHT CAME a shocking scene presented itself. Straight ahead rose a frowning cliff with scattered rocks at its base. Dead bodies, mingled with wreckage and deck cargo floated around. A few persons still supported themselves on pieces of wreckage, aided by lifebelts, and these were picked up by boats.

NARRATIVES OF SURVIVORS. Mr Joseph Lucas Clark, second officer of the Wairarapa, made the following statement;—We left Sydney on Wednesday about 6 o’clock; had moderate weather and winds, and passed the Three Kings at a quarter to eight on Sunday morning, the weather being thick and foggy. About half-past ten o’clock we passed Cape Marie Van Diemen. At 12 o’clock we were off Spirits Bay, close to the North Cape. At 12.40 a thick fog came down obscuring everything. We steered a course for Cape Brett, and continued on that course until 10 o’clock at night, when the course was altered to steer outside Big Hen (Chicken Islands). It was 10 minutes past midnight when the vessel struck. We felt a severe shock, which roused everyone on board, and it soon became known that the vessel had run on the rocks, although the night was so dark that no land was visible. When the steamer struck there was a big sea running. The passengers behaved with great coolness. The captain was on the bridge when the vessel struck, and at once gave the order to get the boats out. The boats on the port side were quickly got out, and some of the lady passengers got into them with great difficulty, as the ship had filled with water and the sea was breaking over her, washing people away. We tried to launch the starboard boats, but owing to the heavy list of the vessel, and heavy seas, they were smashed, and a few who were in them were precipitated into the water. Ido not know whether they were saved. The four life rafts were cut adrift, and were the means of saving a great many, and the boats that got afloat were the means of picking up a great number of passengers who had been swept from the deck by the heavy seas breaking over her. A great many more would have been saved but for the fact that the ship suddenly canted over to port, and the waves, coming over at the same time, swept the decks, carrying numbers into the sea. She was at such an angle that it was impossible to get up to the high side without crawling on one’s hands and knees. When all the boats were got out those who were still on the steamer tried to go to the rigging, but many of them remained on the upper deck to windward of the bridgehouse. The sea was at this time breaking continually on the vessel, sweeping the decks. About two o’clock in the morning the funnel was carried away and somewhere about 3 or 4 a,m. the bridge and all on it, including the captain and those clinging to it, were washed overboard. All this time the boats that had been launched were doing what they could to save life, and I may mention here that when the vessel struck life-belts were served out to every passenger. When daylight came we found that the vessel had struck against a high cliff 600 ft or 800 ft high, with no means of easy landing. We saw several dead bodies floating around, and a few persons still supporting themselves on wreckage, while a few had succeeded in obtaining a landing on the rocks. After I had seen all the boats launched I took to the rigging, and when daylight came I uncoiled the jib halliards and the signal halliards, and tried to heave the latter on shore. There were about sixty people then on board in the fore and main rigging, and several clinging to one of the starboard davits. We failed to heave on shore, and then two men, Fraser, one of the firemen, and Dunlop, the second engineer, tried to swim ashore with it, but owing to the tremendous sea and backwash they had to let go the line to save themselves. With great difficulty they succeeded in landing on the rocks, much bruised and battered. Shortly afterwards the sea was a little quieter and Kendall, the second steward, volunteered to take the line ashore and succeeded The jib halliard rope was then hauled on shore and by this means those on board were safely landed by being pufled hrough the water, with the exception of two who lost their hold and were carried away by the current. They were passengers, but I do not know their names. After we had all cleared from the ship we noticed a lady in the water, Miss Williams, a passenger, who had been floating about for 12 hours, and one of the prew swam out and brought her ashore. She was supported by her lifebelt and two life buoys which she had picked up. Ur is a wonder that so many were saved considering the very dangerous locality in which the accident occurred. Those who were lost were principally swept from the deck or killed by floating wretkage. We remained on the rock until three o’clock on Monday afternoon, when several Maori boats oime round and toqk all except ten to Copper Lane Bay, and some to Maori Bay. The rest remained on the rocks until next morning when they were taken oft’ by the Maoris. Some of our people went overland to Port Fiizroy, and reported the wreck, and the A r gyl o came round aud took us off, after haying been qu the roqks about 36 hours. The M aor i a treated us well, aud before they came to oqr rescue we had managed to secure from the wreckage a number of cases of oranges. The scene on board after the vessel struck was remarkably quiet and calm. There was no panto. The Jady passougorti, however, were greatly alarmed, and sorgo pathetic scenes were witnessed, especially in the case of those who had children. It was yery difficult to get to tfie boats owing to the great l(st of the steamer, and to the fact that the lowar part of the deck was under water, while heavy seas wore sweeping over the decks, carrying everything before them. The crow and passengers who were saved lost all their effects. Thu captain behaved with great calmness, and stood on the bridge until he was carried away. I hope 1 may never boo such a scoxlo again. ■ ■ ■• '

Mr Joseph Wright, a passenger, said : We saw the Three Kings on Sunday morning about breakfast time. The weather was then foggy, and we could only see the coast line some times through the fog, though towards evening the officers got rather anxious about the distance and kept looking at the log every half hour or so, and got the deep sea leads out and ready, one forward and one aft. The passengers began talking in groups by the ship’s side, noticing how thick the night was and the speed the vessel was going. They had a presentiment that something serious would happen, as there was no foghorn going and the steamer’s speed did not appear to be lessened. Some of the passengers till about 8 o’clock were singing hymns (Moody & Sankey’s) among them, by a strange coincidence, being “Pull for the Shore, Sailor,” “Shall we Gather at the River,” etc. After 9 o’clock they began to go to bed, and about half-past 10 the ship’s course was altered. We knew nothing till after midnight, when she went on the rocks with a terrific crash, the grinding motion knocking down and breaking the glass and lamps to pieces. The passengers went up in an orderly manner on deck. After striking her engines were reversed, when she heeled over on the port side and settled down, some of the passengers, principally women, sliding off the deck into the sea. Two boats were got ont by that time to save the women and others, taking 29 in one boat and 36 in the other. Heartrending cries were heard in the darkness in the water. Orange oases, sheep bins, and horses went overboard, some of those in the water being struck by the horses and wreckage. The after deckhouse was shortly after lifted np by a great wave and the rafts tipped off. Some of the passengers who were strong enough got on again and helped others on too. Some of the passengers tried to get the aft starboard boat, but there was no officer or seamen there to give any instructions how to get it out, and in the end it was cut away from the davits, but got stove in. on deck. It got partly filled with water,; but ten got into it and kept afloat until they were rescued by another boat, after being level with the gunnel for two hours. The boats kept pulling around the steamer until daylight. One patent light was thrown out to enable some to be saved, and some of the crew endeavored to save the passengers, but there was confusion, and no general orders to the crew. At first they seemed to be waiting for orders which appeared never to come; at least I heard none from the bridge—but only the grinding noise and smashing of things being carried away, and cries of people being killed by wreckage, spars, and cargo. The second cabin stewardess showed great bravery. She fastened the lifebelts around the women before going' on deck, and when she got on deck she was washed overboard. We hung in the rigging and boat davits, with the sea breaking over ns, until daylight; some, whose strength failed, were washed off. We then saw about a dozen on the rooks, and gradually saw the cliffs when the fog cleared and day began to dawn. The steamer’s bow was about six feet into the mouth of a cave or cleft. Great credit is due to a steerage passenger named John Madden, who stood on the aft rigging with a line which he kept throwing to all who could get within reach and bringing them to the rigging. He with others saved six in that way. One of the firemen left the after rigging with a rope to the fore rigging, tying it to the davits as he went, by which means those saved from the after rigging got along. A life-line was then got from the fore rigging to the rocks, and people were hauled through the surf to the shore.

Wm. Caldwell, the steward >in the saloon, after giving details somewhat similar to the above, says that just before the captain jumped off the bridge he called out to four ladies on the bridge, one of whom had a child in her arms, “ For God’s sake go to the fore-rigging.” A large number of passengers remained below owing, to the water coming into the steamer so fast, and there they perished. Sixteen horses were located behind the The scene was a terrible one, and 1 will never forget it. Women and husbands were offering up prayers in a most piteous manner.

Miss Jane Williams, one of the survivors, had a most thrilling experience, being in the water for twelve hours. She gave a reporter the following account of what she went through:—“ At a quarter past twelve I heard a thud, and jumped out of my bunk. In the same apartment was my sister Sarah. I went to the ladies’ cabin on my way to the saloon staircase, and ascertained thaf there was an accident of some sort. 1 went back for my sister, and we both put our life belts on. We then ran oh the hurricane deck in time to see the steamer list over. A number of people who were standing on that side of the steamer were swept off by the sudden lurch and drowned: The screams at this time were dreadful. My sister and I then climbed on a railing, and were nearly swept away several times by the terrific fury of the waves. The situation may be imagined, for at this time it was pitch dark. Many thought about this time that the steamer was breaking, and would sink, and I moved to the right and clung on to a rope which suspends the saloon awning. lu v the meantime my sister climbed on the captain’s bridge. The next thing a huge wave swept over us, and, the rope breaking, I was swept out to sea. Not being able to swim 1 bad to hold myself up by catching pieces of wreckage that were floating about. 1 was swept, with a great number of others, among the wreckage, close to a cliff. By this time the welcome dawn was just beginning to appear, and we were able to recognise each other. The scene at this time was terrible. I was holding on to one of the spars with my hair woven round it, and was in this position for some hours, while many were drowned one after another in my sight through the force of the waves and wreckage. Among those I recognised being drowned at this time were Mrs M’Donald, one of the stewardesses in the saloon. Miss Cole, who could swim, was about this time swept on to a small ledge by the force of the waves, and was saved. Among the great number who here perished I was the only one left alive in the water, and every minute X thought it was my turn. However, I managed to keep my presence of mind. When all around me had been drowned, I saw a lifebelt floating in the water. 1 managed to get it and put my through it, I lay in this position for perhaps a couple of hours. I then saw auothor lifebelt floating about. 1 caught it and put mv feet through it, thereby keeping myself afloat. I had only my nightdress on, and this helped me greatly, for if X had beou dressed I feel sure thatl would have been drowned. At this time a number were being taken from the steamer on to a clifl - by means of a rope. Just imagine my feeling as I lay on the two lifebuoys with dozens of dead bodies, wreckage and horses floating round me, and myself the only survivor. Every minute 1 expected some helpfrom those who had got on shore, but noati

for a long time. I could not say how many hours I was on the lifebuoys, but they told me subsequently I was in the water fully twelve hours. I could see many lying, evidently exhausted, on the cliffs. At last, 1 saw some on shore looking at me and waving their hands. 1 waved my hand back. At this time I was probably 800 or 900 yards away from the shore, and my feelings of pleasure at being seen cannot be described. Those on shore shouted and waved their hands to keep my spirits up and encourage me until they could obtain a rope to pull me on shore. Shortly afterwards I recognised the face of Mr Thomas Roberts swimming towards me. 1 could scarcely hold up my arms to let him put the rope around my shoulders. I felt terribly weak. Mr Roberts then swam with me to the cliff. 1 really do not know how he managed, for their was a strong current running at the time. However, we got back in safety to the cliff, and were both hauled up by those above us. I was so weak when I got ashore that I could not stand. Mr M’ Kendall, second steward, carried me on his back up a steep rock and means were taken to restore circulation of the blood.” NAMES OF THOSE ON BOARD.

The following is a list of the passengers by the Wairarapa as far as ean be ascertained : —Mr and Mrs W. Ferguson, Mr and Mrs Skews and three children, Mr and Mrs West and two children, Mr and Mrs Hill, Mesdames Rayward and two infants, Waterhouse and child, Stewart, Manderson, M. Smith, Rhodes, Brown and two children, Scoular, M. Smith, Ryan, Fife, and H. Hollis; Misses Sullivan, Williams (2), McEellar, Barton, Sconlar(2),Beason, Maclllon, Hanna,Cave, J. Williams, S. Williams, E. Dickenson, Mi Boyd, Dalton, Rowbotham, Bullock, Beid,Arkle, Annita, Paul, H. Flavall, B. Buckleton, 0. Wade, Green, Keen, and Knight, Rev. T. Doran, Rev. W. Peters, Rev. Seraphim Mclvor; Messrs Chadwick, McKinnon, Spencer, J. D. Breen, Warry, G. F. Roberts, A.. Hand, Runting, Scoular, Smith, Culling, Ford, W. T. Geohagen, White, Chick, White, Mills, Leighton, Hostcke, F. W. Varley, T. Corrie, R. Bramwell, Bray, Dunckley, Whaley, W. Dryborough, H. H. Pounds, H. J. Chamberlain, J. E. Bowater, C. Langley, F. Grusning, J. Kelly, James, Pipe, G. Parrish, W. F. Ross, A. H. Fisher, P. Wishart, O. Monaghan, J. Andrews, M. Ambrose, J. Nieholls, P. Hardy, A. J. Lumley, G. Stevens, J. Levesque, T. Roberts, T. Henderson, J. Mulvay, T. Clark, N. Ooogan,C. A. M. Hapman, G. Stevens, J. Hains, G. Walker, A, Black, Hickey, A. J. Dunbar, J. Glenty, Mr and Mrs Vella, T. Hastie, D. Mardon, D. M. Roberts, T. Gough, A. F. French, J. Austin, J. C. Smith, J. Steward, C. Scott, F. F. Fraser, Bowser, J. Chaleyer, S. H. Harris, P. Nicholson, Perry, Dalton, Hill, Wheatley, A. Housen, Wilson, Tuckett, Snell, and Brown. Among the Dunedin drowned are Mr William Scoular, merchant of Bond Street, his wife and two daughters; the wife of Mr Fyfe, draper, George Street, and the daughter of Mr Quaid, fruiterer, George Street; Mrs Ryan, wife of a fireman, and his mother-in-law, who had gone to Australia for her daughter’s health ; Mr Chick, hotelkeeper; Mr Andrew Kelly, brother-in-law of Mr Feldwick, of the Octagon. Mr Scoular had an accident policy for £6OO in the Scottish Insurance Company, of which he was a local director.

A Sydney telegram says : —The following names of the passengers who were on board the steamer Wairarapa have been ascertained here (in addition to those published in the evening papers in New Zealand on Thursday) :—Saloon—Master West, Mrs Baldwin, Messrs A. J. Dunbar and C. Chapman; steerage—Mr and Mrs Yella, Mr and Mrs D. Harris, Mr and Mrs Butler, Messrs Stuckey, McKenzie, Johnson, Gordon, Dickson, Melicie, Terrabolcio, French, Geenty, Beregar, Martin, Davis, Bird, Mandersou, Howland, Bailey, Austin, Ross, Wong Chan, Wan Sin, Wai Wong Juu, Joe Some, Heavey, Madder, Mulvay, Pearson, Yeueka, Lyon, Hastie (2), Scott, Wishart, -Lewis, Sinclair, Bremwell, Harris, Stanley, Donovan, Fisher, Roberts, McMillan, Brown, Hickey, Coogan, Ambrose, Nicholson, Stewart, Parriah, Monaghan, Walker, Clarke, Henderson, Mesdames Truckworth and Rosemergy, Misses Perry, Wheatley, Dalton, Pitcher, Rosemergy (2). The names of a number of the steerage passengers are unknown, as they had booked by the Rotomahana, but went instead by the Wairarapa. The following is a list of the passengers who were saved (owing to the fact that the ship’s books and papers were lost in the wreck, it is impossible to give a complete list of the passengers who left Sydney by the steamer) : —Mrs M. W. Ferguson, Mrs Vella, Misses M. Me Cellar, Cave, Williams, E. Dickenson, Braon, Macilton, J. Hadwick, Annette, Paul, and Hanna, Rev. Mr Peters, Messrs G. Parrish, P. F. Ross, A. H. Fisher, P. Wishart, O’Monoghau, G. D. Breen, J, Andrews, M. Ambrose, J. P. Roberts, F, Nicholls, S. Hardy, A. J. Lumley, G. Stephens, F. Roberts, T. Henderson, J. Mulvay, T. Clarke, N. Coogan, C. A. M. Chapman, G. Stephens, J. Laveaque, J. Harris, F, R. Grnnsiug, H. Jolly, W. Pears n, G, Walker, A. Black, Micky, A. J. Dunbar, W. Ferguson, J. Geenty, R. Bramwell, Vella, C. Langley, S. Skews, Herbert, H. Pounds, D. Madon, F. Hastie, W. B. Geoghaglan, J, Chamberlain, A. Hanna, F. W. Varley, F. W. Leighton, D. M. . Roberts,* T. Gough, A. F. French, P. Currie, T. Austin, J. Pye, C. Smith, J. Stewart, Scott, J. F. Fraser, N. Cole, E. Buckleton, J. Chaleyer, S. Harris, P. Nicholson, M. Boyd, J. Perry, M. Dalton, M. Hill, K. Wheatley, A. Hansen, W. Wilson, Tuckett, Snell, W. Brown, Banser, Chadwick. Additional list of saved from the Wairarapa : Crew : J. Willott, boy, brass-cleaner ; F. Wilson, fore-cabin steward; P. S. Lucas, third cook; J. G. Gardner. Passengers: J. Haines, W. King (or Hing), Mr E. L. Bullock, Mrs Harris, Mrs Hansen, Master A. Tarahokia, Won Finn, Low Wai, J. Wright, Mias M. Cole, Rev, T. J. Doran, and Master West.

The followiug is a complete list of the crew of the Wairarapa ; —A, Mayes, first mate; G. Clark, second mate ; H. Johnson, third mate; W. A. Turlock, fourth mate; W. Fenwick, purser; S. Jones, assistant purser; J. Thomson, carpenter; E, Pratt, lamps; R, Lawry, J. Cherrie, J. McDonald, W, Simpson, G.McLeod, D, Davies, P. Burke, J. Greet!, fe. J. Baker, N. Campbell, AB’s; J. Wilmott aud G, McDonald, boys; G. G. Sinclair, chief engineer; G. W. Dunlop, second engineer; W, Carson, third engineer; S. Jenkins, fourth engineer; G. McAlpine, donkeyman ; R. Neill, stores ; C. Perry, T. Gough, J. Fraser, J. Hempseed, greasers; T. Ryan, D. Dowe, H. Palmer, J. Gill, H. Smith, E. Jones, firemen ; A. Merritt, ,1.

McGee, J. Cooper, W. Smith, trimmers ; W. Judd, chief steward; R. Roudali, second steward; E. McDonald,' salobu stewardess ; A. 'McQuaid, assistant stewardess ; I». Griudrod, forecabiu stewardess; A. McLean, S. J. Allen, .R Cruncher, saloon waiters ; M. Middlo-

work, H. Mattrey, 0. Baldwin, G. McKeowu, bedroom stewards ; W. Charleton, pantryman ; W. Beckett, assistant pantryman; C. Kappm, chief cook; J. McCulloch, second cook ; J. G. Gardner, third cook; P. Lucas, butcher; H. Monaghan, baker; W. CaldwelVboots; C. Butler, messroom steward; F. Wilson, forecabin steward ; A. Holmes, assistant steward ; J. McDonald, saloon boy. The names of the crew drowned were : Captain, John Mclntosh; chief steward, W. Judd ; stewards, F. McLean, J. McDonald,and Croucher; Mrs McDonald, Mias McQuaid, and Miss Grimrod, stewardesses ,* H. Monaghan, baker; H, Vear, chief cook; A. Holmes, assistant forecabin steward ; Cooper, Jones, J. McGee, and Murrill, firemen; Burke, Simpson, McLeod, and Epfatt, sailors; McDonald, boy. The saved of the crew are—J. Sinclair, chief engineer; J. W, Dunlop, second; W. Carson, third ; H. S. Jenkins, fourth; A. Moyes, chief officer ; G. Clark, second; W. H. Johnson, third ; Tulloch, fourth ; T. Gough, J, Fraser, H Smith, H. Palmer, R. Neil, W. Smith, T. Ryan,D. Dowe, 0. Perry’ J. Gill, J. Hempseed, and M. F. Harding, firemen ; H. Baker, Davis, Campbell, Greaves, Cherry, R. Lang, and J. McDonald,sailors; R. H. Thompson, carpenter; W. Fenwick, purser; R. Kendall, C. Baldwin, W. Middlework, W. Beckett, T. Corbett, Allen, H. Mattrey, G. McKeown, C. Butler, and W. Caldwell, stewards. MISCELLANEOUS. Many conflicting accounts are given of the conduct of the captain, but the facts will no doubt be elicited at the inquiry. Many gallant acts of heroism are recorded, and the scenes of the deaths of women and children are described as horrible and heartrending. The wrecked steamer lies on a ledge of rock, partially wedged into the rock of the cliff, with a great deal of her top hamper gone, including the funnel, etc. It is stated that if she should roll much she will slip off the ledge into 40 fathoms of water. The passengers of the Wairarapa held a meeting at the Albert Hotel, and passed resolutions regretting that the discipline of the boats was not better, and orders given more promptly for the lowering of the boats. They commended the stewards, stewardesses, and engineers. The chief engineer remained at his post till the water got into the engine room. He got out by the skylight. Police have left by the steamer Argyle with shells to bury the dead. A party has also left with a postal officer and diver to recover the mails, if possible. The mayor has started a relief fund, and has suggested to the Premier, in reply to a telegram of sympathy, that the best method of showing it was to give a substantial sum in aid of the relief fund. The Union Company have given a fit-out to such of the passengers and crew as required it, and the southern passengers were sent south by the Tasmania to-night. Flags were at half-mast on the shipping, public buildings, and throughout the city.

The following letter has been handed to the newspapers : —Merivale, Nov. Ist, 1891. —Having only heard on my arrival this afternoon of the terrible catastrophe which has brought sorrow to so many New Zealand homes, I desire to lose no time in making known through the medium of the press the deep sorrow with which I heai=d of the wreck of the Wairarapa, and in expressing the heartfelt sympathy of myself and the Countess of Glasgow with those who are now mourning for relatives and friends lost on Sunday in that illfatedship. -lam, yours faithfully, Glasgow.” The Hon. J. G. Ward, as Minister of Marine, requested the Governor to arrange for the despatch of H.M.S. Royalist from Auckland to seorch for the bodies of the victims or for any survivors from the Wairarapa that may still be afloat. Preliminary steps are being taken at Wellington to raise a fund for the survivors.

Telegrams of sympathy have been received from all the colonies. At Sydney the House of Assembly passed a motion of condolence. At Dunedin the Presbyterian Synod offered prayers and passed resolutions of condolenee. The Premier of New South Wales wires to Mr Seddon—Government and people of this colony most deeply sympathise with those who have been bereaved by the loss of the Wairarapa.” Flags were lowered to half-mast in almost every town in the colony. The Wairarapa, which has just added another to the list of ill-fated steamers, is a screw steamer of 1786 tons gross, and 1023 tons net register. She was built by W. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, to the order of the Union Steamship Company, and launched in 1882. She was 285 ft 2in long, 36ft 3in beam, and 23ft Tin depth of hold. She was fitted up with very extensive passenger space, and, like all the crack boats of the fleet, was provided with all the convenience which modern naval architecture can devise. She was valued at £30,000, and was uninsured. Her crow would consist of about sixty, all told, so that more than half are saved. Among the lady passengers were two officers of the Salvation Army, StaffCaptain Annette Paul and Captain Laura Flavall, who were returning via Australia from London, where they had attended General Booth’s public congress. Both were stationed in Christchurch, Miss Paul being secretary to the rescue work, and Miss Flavall her assistant. Mias Paul was saved. My and Mrs Hill, of Christchurch, are both among the missing. Among those known to be drowned are Mrs Shewe and family (of Napier), Plrs Hallis (Adelaide), Mrs Baldwin and child (Wellington). A telegram from Auckland to band yesterday says: enquiry is proceeding. The Press is excluded. In deciding upon the preliminary investigation the Collector of Customs acted qpon general instructions issued by the Marine Department twelve mouths ago ; but, after taking the statement of the chief officer, instructions were received from the Government to go on with the Magisterial inquiry at ouce. The Collector stopped the preliminary one, having obtained the necessary evidence as to witnesses required- The Magisterial enquiry is fixed for Monday, before Mr Northcroft, S.M., and two nautical assessors”

The directors of the Union Company have passed a resolution M That while waiting tho result of further enquiry into the circumstances which led to the loss of the Wairarapa, they desire to place on record their extreme distress at the terrible calamity, and to ask the assistance of the Press to convoy to the public an expression of their earnest sympathy with all those who are suffering from the loss of friends or otherwise in consequence of the disaster.". The widows c? tho mamod members of tho evow who belonged to tho company’s Friendly Society will receive £2O from

tho funds, and the next of kiu of single men who were members of tho soqioty will receive £lO.

Mr Mills, managing director of tho company, cannot account for thu accident

happening under the circumstances reported. Every officer is provided with regulations which set-forth in the clearest language the precaution to be observed in foggy weather or when in doubt regarding the ship’s position. One of these (24) provides that when coasting or in the neighbourhood of land the lead must be used frequently, and if the soundings suggest the, slightest doubt as to the course the head of the ship must be turned away from what is considered the direction of the laud and progress stayed until the exact position is ascertained. What is most impressed on commanders is the absolute necessity for taking the surest means to protect the life and property under their charge. Safety must always be the first consideration. Although the running _of steamers is fixed by time-table, keeping time is a secondary consideration. No master is allowed to run the slightest risk to keep to time. Neglect of the regulations and precautions for means dismissal, while safe navigation is rewarded by a yearly bonus. Among the shipping disasters that have occurred on the New Zealand coast may be mentioned the Orpheus, wrecked on the Manukau Bar on Feb. 7,1863, when 190 officers and men were drowned, and 70 saved. The Tararua, was wrecked on the Otara reef, close to Waipapa Point, April 29, 1881, while on the voyage from Port Chalmers to the Bluff. Of 122 persons on board 108 were drowned. The Tairaroa was wrecked at the mouth of the Clarence River, Marlborough, on April 11, 1886. Thirty-three persons were drowned and fourteen saved.

The news of the loss of the Wairarapa created a profound sensation throughout this district, more especially as several shearers , are expected daily from Australia, and it is supposed that it is possible they may have been on board. Amongst these were Mr John Dean, junior, and Mr C. Dierck, of Geraldine, who were expected this week, but nothing is known definitely. There are also several Temuka men expected home any day, but no news ha been received to confirm the supposition that they were aboard. No doubt if they had been on board some of them would have been saved, and would have telegraphed to their friends by this time. The probabilities are, therefore, that none of them are aboard, so that no anxiety need be felt by their friends. [At a late hour last evening we heard that Mr J. Brown, of the Swamp Road, had telegraphed to Sydney inquiring wether his son George had booked by the steamer, and that he had received a reply that a George Brown did book there.]