WRECK of H. M. S. S. ORPHEUS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 332, 26 February 1863, Page 4

WRECK of H. M. S. S. ORPHEUS.

The following account of this disastrous affair is taken from the Toranaki Herald, aud seems to us the best that has yet been published :

We are indebted to the kindness of A. B. Toker, Esq., Lieut, and I.M. 65th Regt. who was a passenger in the Wonga, and an eye-witness of the dreadful scene, for the particulars of this appalling catastrophe, which has enabled us to make up the following reliable account. H.M. screw steam corvette Orpheus 21 guns, 1700 tops, 400 horse power, launched in 1860, W. F. Burnett, C. 8., Commodore, B. .R Burton, commander, Strong, master, left Sydney for Manukau on the 31st ultimo. After a pleasant run across, land was sighted on the morning of Saturday last the 7th instant, and when about eight miles from land, at 12-30 p.m., steam was got up, and signal was made out from the Pilot Station on the North head of Manukau harbour to take the bar.

The ship proceeded under easy steam and under ordinary canvas, with topsail stunsail set, the Commodore steering by Drury’s directions and bearings. At 1-30 the ship bumped, proceeded for about ten m.inutes and struck again, and remained fast. The Commodore gave orders for full speed astern, but the engines never moved, and it was subsequently found that the propellor was broken of and one of the fans through the ship’s bottom. Sail shortened, and four guns thrown overboard. The ship heeled over to port heavy breakers washing away all the port boats, and ship broadside on to the breakers, head to north. The cutter, under Paymaster Amphlett, formerly of H.M.S. Niger, who knew the harbour, was sent for assistance, and got safely away, but the Commodore losing sight of her sent the pinnace under Lieut. Hill, to look after her. This boat also got cleat of the ship. Not so however with the launch. An attempt was made to send off this boat, but a breaker dashed her on to the flukes of one of the anchors and from thence to the main deck guns, and from thence overboard with her crew of an officer and forty men, who never rose again ! The cutter and pinnace mean while were amongst the breakers, but by this time Capt. Wing, the pilot, had gone out to their assistance in his whale boat and succeeded in directing them into smooth water. TheWonga Wonga, which had crossed the bar on her way to Taranaki, observing the catastrophe put back by way of the South Channel, and coming up with the boats took them in tow—(This was at 5 p.m.)—and proceeded to the vicinity of the wreck, when she succeeded in getting as near as 200 yds. The sailors were observed all aloft in the tops, the officers all in the mizen top, the ship’s head still to the north, and the breakers sweeping over the hull, the spray reaching the men, and the masts swaying to and fro in a fearful manner. The pinnace and cutter returned to within a few yards of the jib-boom of the wreck, and succeeded in picking up about eight of the crew who threw themselves off into the sea. The pinnace put these men on board the Wonga and returned a second time and rescued two or three more men, when the jib-boom broke short off at the cap. The masts and rigging at this time were crowded with men, the hull being completely under water and rolling heavily. Several men were also picked up by the men in the cutter, which was in charge of Mr. Midshipman Fielding. The breakers having increased and night closing in the boats returned to the Wonga which anchord at 7-30 in the channel as near to the wreck as was prudent for her safety. About 8.30 it was observed that the foremast fell to the starboard, and the main and mizen masts to poi’t, within a few minutes of one another, and at the same time frightful shrieks were plainly heard on board the Wonga. Captain Benner immediately burned blue lights and the boats were again manned, and before 10-30 succeeded m rescuing Lieut. Yonge and some 7 or 8 seamen from pieces of floating wreck. Two of the Wonga’s crew, in one of her boats, bravely rescued one man, at great risk to themselves. The cutter, guided by some of Capt. Wing’s native crew, in pulling to leeward, found and rescued Midshipman Barkly, a youth of about 13 years of age, son of Sir Henry Barkly, Governor of Victoria, Midshipman Hunt and three or four men, about two miles from the wreck and took them to the pilot’s house, where every kindness and attention was shown to them by Mrs Wing and family. The paymaster in the meantime with some sick men and lads pulled up the harbour to H M.S.S. Harrier, at Onehunga, where he arrived at 10-30 p.m. Commander Sullivan immediately communicated with Captain Jenkins of H.MJhSr Miranda, in Auckland-h aJlt^** jr >^' rec * eivenUA about 1-30 on the

morning of Sunday, and who immediately came over to Onehunga aud proceeded 7 to the heads in. the steamer Avon. The Avon met the Wonga Wonga inside the heads at 6-30 a.m., the latter steamer living weighed at daybreak, after discovering that the wreck was completely broken up, the stump ot the mainmast and'a few broken pieces of timber being all that'remained of the ill-fated Orpheus. Complement of the Orpheus, including officers 256 Sa-ved—Officers... 6 Warrant do— 2 Seamen and Marines... 61 Total 105 t.... 187 It was stated by one of the seamen saved, that Commodore Burnett was killed by the falling of a spar, which struck him on the head, killing him instaneously and, also, that the master was strangled between two ropes in the rigging. There is a possibility that some of the crew may Have -reached the land on spars or pieces of wreck, from the fact that Messrs Barkly and Hunt were picked up a considerable distance from the wreck and two hours after the mast fell—and the flood tide was making until midnight. A boat from the Harrier was ordered on Sunday morning to search the surrounding coast and sea.

Great praise is due to Captain Benner for his promptitude in rendering all the assistance in his power, consistent with the safety of his own vessel, and it is owingto his being at hand when the Orpheus stranded that, under Providence, even so many were saved. It is to be deplored that Captain Benner had no appaiatus on board his vessel to throw a rope on board the wreck—not even a gun,—for, from his proximity, he might have saved many more had it been possible to have had any kind of communication. Those who were saved had to swim several yards, for neither steamer nor boats could live within 20 yards of the wi’eck. «lt does not speak well for the thoughtfulness nor the liberality of the Auckland Provincial Government, when we state that a life-boat lies at the, Pilot Station which could not be launched or manned for want of a sufficient number of hands.

5 Captain "Wing, the pilot, and his native crew deserve great credit for their conduct throughout this tragical occurrence, and to the native crew of the pilot boat is owing the pi’ovidential and miraculous escape from the common fate of Sir Henry Barkly’s son, and liis brother midshipman Mr. Hunt.

H. M.S.S. Harrier could notjpeave Onehunga for the scene of the disaster before the Wonga started as the channel, was too narrow for her to swing before high water.

We are informed that General Cameron immediately on hearing of the loss of the Orpheus, sent a detachment of the 40th Regt., to jOnehunga with tents and blankets <fcc., for the survivors, where they arrived with the utmost despatch. The question has been asked whether the necessary signals were made from the Pilot station to the Orpheus w hen , she was running on to the Spit. On enquiry we are glad to be able to state that there was no neglect on the part of the signalman. Capt. Wing was on board the Wonga, piloting her out of the harbour, but his son, who is well acquainted with the directions, on observing that the Orpheus was steering by the old bearings, signalled to keep more to the north, which was apparently for the time attended to. As the ship, however, was in dangerous proximity to the shoal, signal was made to stand off the land, which was not at tended to, or it was too late to do so. The following list of her officers is taken from the Aucklander :- LOST Commodore, W. F. Burnett, C. B. Commander, B. H. Bui’ton Lieutenants, Mudge, Jekyll, and Yonge Master, W. D. Strong Lieutenant Mill, Boyal Marine Artillery Rev. C. Hazlewood, Chaplain Mr. Gilham, Commodore’s Secretary Mr. Johnston Assistant Paymaster Dr. Clarkson, Surgeon. Mr. Coates, Assistant Surgeon. W. Stephens, Chief Engineer. W. T. Taylor, Second Master. F. D. Jerningham. Midshipman. W. A. Huddlestone, „ A K. Mallock, „ T. H. Broughton, „ G. H. Verner, „ B. G. Fairfax, „ J. J. Tozer, Master’s Assistant, <. Mr. Aylmer, Assistant Clerk. J. H. Adams, Engineer. Mr. Yickery, Engineer’s Assistant.: Mr. Miller, j, Mr. Adamson, „ W. Hudson, Gunner. SAVEDSecond Lieutenant Hill. Paymaster Amphlet. Mr. Barkly, Midshipman. Mr. Fielding, „ Mr. Hunt, „ Mr. Mason, Boatswain. Mr. Beer, Carpenter, Aud 61 sailors and marines.

A meeting was held in Auckland, and it was resolved to present each of the 69 men saved with ,£lO. Subscription lists were opened in town and country, : and in the meanwhile Mr. Reader Wood, the Colonial Treasurer, advanced the money. Eight bodies had been-found-- ! tfpi to the. 16th. One of them Was to be buried on the 17th with military honours, and on that day divine service was to he held in all the churches, at which collections were to be taken in aid of the subsci'iption. If more is raised than is required here, the balance will be distributed among the widows and orphans of the seamen lost.

BEPOBT OF THE VOLUNTEER COMMISSION.

The following extracts from this Report, dated October 28, may be interesting :~ In entering upon the task confided to us under your Majesty’s commands we deemed it right in the first place to take steps for ascertaining the actual condition of the Volunteer force at the present time, and for that purpose, as well as to obtain other requisite information, we addressed a series of questions to every commanding-officer of Volunteers in Great Britain, and we also examined such witnesses as we believed to be well acquainted with the subject. The information thus sought has been readily afforded to us. The actual number of enrolled members of the force on the Ist April 1862, ivas 162,681, of whom 662 were light horse, 24,363 artillery, 2904 engineer, 656 mounted rifle, and 134,096 rifle Volunteers. Of the rifle Volunteers, 48,796 were organised in 86 consolidated battalions, and 75,535 in 134 .administrative battalions ; and we are much gratified in being enabled to state that the present condition of the Volunteer force is, generally speaking, satisfactory, and we believe that by steady perseverance in the course hitherto pursued, and by due discipline, it will be a valuable auxiliary to the British army as a means of national defence. On its first formation this force received considerable assistance from honorary members of corps, officers and others, and the funds so raised have been for the most pai-t expended in the establishment of head-quarters, drill grounds, rifle ranges, &c., and in the purchase of . clothing and equipments. The current annual expenses of corps have generally been met by subscriptions from their own members. The time, however, is approaching when the uniforms will require to be renewed, and as them is reason to apprehend that the honorary subscriptions and donations may not be maintained at their present amount, the cost of new uniforms and the subscriptions necessary to defray the annual expenses of corps are together felt to be a burden, the pressure of which will seriously affect the force by causing a large diminution of its numbers. Under these creumstances, we have had great difficulty in arriving at a conclusion, both with regard to the amount of the aid required and the mode in which it ought to be administered, owing to the great discrepancy of opinion on this point which the evidence has brought under our notice.

Several witi.esses, whose opinions are deserving of attention, deprecate any grant in money, and recommend that whatever assistance is afforded should be in kind. Others recommend a grant varying from 12s. to 155., and even more, for every effective.

After a careful consideration of the whole subject, we have come to the conclusion that it is expedient that some further assistance in aid of the Volunteer movement should be rendered by the Government, but it is essential in our judgment that whatever aid may be so granted should be strictly regulated with reference to the real efficiency of the force. As the most expedient way of carrying out this principle, under existing circumstances, we recommend : That there should be a grant from the Government of 20s. per man . for every light horse, engineer, mounted I’ifle, and rifle Volunteer who can produce a certificate, according to a form to be prescribed by the Secretary ot State, signed by the commanding officer and adjutant of his corps, or by the commanding officer and adjutant of the administrative battalion to which his corps belongs, that he has attended nine drills, six of which in the case of a consolidated battalion, and three of which in the case of an administrative battalion, should be battalion or troop drills, in the course of the preceding twelve months ; that he is efficient in drill, has been fully instructed in the manual and platoon exercise, and, in addition to the above drills, has gone through a course of musketry instruction to be laid down by the Secretary of State; and also that he was present on parade (unless absent by leave of his commanding officer, with the approval of the Secretary of State) on the day of inspection ; and an additional grant of 10s. per man for every Volunteer whe can produce a similar certificate that he has fired a certain amount of ball catridge, according to regulations to be laid down by the Secretary of State. That in the case of a recruit thirty drills, including a short' course of musketry instruction, should be substituted for the drills already enumerated, in order to qualify him for receiving such certificate.

That a powei- should be reserved to the inspecting officer to disallow the certificate of any man or body of men whose inefficiency may be manifest on parade. That the existing definition of an effective should be repealed. That divisional or brigade field-days and official inspections should not be reckoned in the number of'drills above specified That every rifle should be seen and examined once a year a person appointed by the Government, and that no corps should be entitled to receive any portion of the Government grant for any member whose rifle is reported in an un--servicable state through neglect. " That officers commanding Volunteer corps or administrative battalions, in the event of such corps or battalions obtaining further aid from Government, should be permitted to expend the grant under the following heads :—Head-quarters, drill grounds, care and repair'of arms, ranges, clothing and accoutrements, post

of conveyance to and from battalion and brigade drill and rifle practice, forage for sergeant instructor’s horse in the case of mounted coxpa. That in the case of artillery Volunteers a further grant, beyond that already made by the Government, of 30s. per man should be made for. every man who can produce a certificate signed by the commanding officer and adjutant of his corps, or hy the commanding officer and adjutant of the administrative brigade to which his corps belongs, that lie has attended twelve gun drills in the course of the preceding twelve months ; has been present at the gun practioe of his. battery, and is an efficient' gunner ; also that he was present on parade (unless absent by leave of his commanding officer, with the approval of the Secretary of State) on the day of inspection. During the first year of service attendance at thirty drills, of which twenty-four should be gun drills, should be suostifcuted for. the conditions above enumerated.

That, in the event of any corps being desirous at expending .the whole or any portion of the Government grant in clothing, sealed patterns of colour applicable to the four branches of the service should be issued, to with such corps should be required to conform. That all corps in the receipt of the Government grant should be required to adopt accoutrements approved by the Secretary of State, and all corps belonging to administrative battalions to adopt such colour as the Lord-Lieutenant shall direct.

That, in addition to all other allowances, a sum not exceeding 4s. per head per annum for each ’ member who has been certifiod as efficient, in any corps where the head-quarters are distant beyond five miles from the place of meeting of the administrative battalion to which it belongs, should be granted to the commanding officer of the battalion in aid of the expenses of conveying the members of such corps to battalion drills.

We recommend that, in order to afford to Volunteers every possible assistance in acquiring a more perfect knowledge of drill and of otir military system, and with the view of promoting that cordiality and feeling of confidence in each other which would be of vital importance to the regular troops and Volunteers in co operating against an enemy, Volunteer corps . should, wherever practicable, be united with troops of the line for exercise and instruction, as already sanctioned by the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the General Comman-ding-in-Chief.

We also think it desirable that those corps which are fit for it should take part occasionally in brigade and divisional field-days ; but, evidence having been given to the effect that the subsequent attendance at regimental parades is apt to fall off, we are of opinion that brigade and divisional field-days should, as much as possible, be postponed until the close of the battalion drill season.

The permanence and efficiency of a Volunteer force must essentially depend upon the sympathies of the public, and upon the general support, whether pecu niary or other, to which those sympathies give rise. The Volunteer movement, in its progressive advance to its present condition, has been materially aided by the efforts and contributions of those who, from age or other circumstances, have found themselves precluded from giving their personal service, and the further aid now recommended by this Commission would fail to accomplish its intended purpose if it weakened that general support on the part of the community at large.

The British Soldier. —At a recent meeting of the Military and Naval Bible Society, in Edinbiigh, Mr. Miller, the Secretary, said : “ It is of great importance to understand that the army and navy are not simply a defence of our country, but a great educational and moral institution. I hold that there are thousands and tens of thousands living who owe all that is best and dearest to them to the circumstance of their having in their idleness and restlessness in early life entered into the service of the Queen. They are the stirring and energetic men who would not be restrained at home, and /who despised the hum-drum life of the village. They are the men who had unfortunately been apprenticed to crafts which were disgusting and irksome, and who, throwi g aside the restraints of home, entered into her Majesty’s service, either, as sailors or soldiers, to see the world at large, and to get fr> e scope to their energies, nay to their vicious passions. And these men, under the influence of the education we give, under the influence of the discipline that is exercised, and in consequence of their minds being purified, so t > say, and refined, I do not hesitate to add, are led into such views of their duties as men, and their higher duties in many cases as Christians, that the men who would have been, if you please, the scum and offscourmg of the country, are men worthy of all honor, reliable, upright, loving men, and who, when they return to us, after they have splent their strength in the service, are an honour to their country, and an ornament to the Christian community. I want also to refer to this circumstance, because I think it very important that our friends should distinct ly understand that our soldiers are not merely gathered together and brought under discipline for those warlike purposes, but that, in subaei-vicnoo to those great ends which they are intended to subserve, they are the objects of parental care and anxious solicitude to the noble and intelligent men placed over them. It will be admitted, when I read this statement if Sir John Lawrence, that it is a sentiment which actuates hundreds

of our officers both in the army und navy - Sir John says * The officer has higher duties to perform : a duty to his neighbour a duty to his God, nptto .be discharged by the simple observance of these military formalities. He stands in loco parentis ; he is the father of his men ; his treatment of them should be such as to call forth - their reverence and affection, and incite in them a strong feeling of shame on being detected by him in the commission, of unworthy actions. . It is his duty to study their characters ; to interest himself in, their pursuits ; to enhance their comforts ; to. assist a-nd. encourage with, coun-. sel and with, praise, every- good effort • to extend; his sympathy to them in distress, to. console them in affliction ; to shew by every means in his power, that though exiles from home and aliens from their kindred, they have yet a friend who will not desert them.’ These are not only the duties which an officer should discharge, but I pledge, my experience of not a few years, , that these are duties which many officers do discharge. The army, then, is a great educational institution, and I hold -that it is worth far i.

more than all the milhons paid for it, ip this one particular. How, I want also, to refer to this circumstance that soldiers, are our representative men. Wherever they go, the people among whom they are quartered, or the people on the shores where they land, ai;e entitled to say, These are the English, the men who represent the religion of England, . We. can’t shrink irom that ; there is, no,means of evading it; and Ido not know why our soldiers should not go forth as Chris-, tian men. But as what, in general, do they at present eome back 7 In a great many instances, as men, who, if not prepared to make a very zealous profession of religion, are still deeply imb.ued with the importance of it. But in many cases they come back the noblest type of Christian men, which I hold to be that of the Christian soldier.”

Repeating Tunes.—A correspondent of the Glasgow Herald mentions, that in a certain, church the other Sunday, the singers might have been heard proclaiming a curious and. exciting, but not very agreeable entomological pursuit in the following lines of a hymn:— And we’ll catch the flee— And we’ll catch the flee— And we’ll catch the fleeting hour. The above is very similar, says a Sydney paper, to other, hymnioal versions to be sometimes heard in Hyde Park, Sydney, as follows : Oli, send down sal— Oh, send down sal— Oh, send down salvation. -Oh, fora man— Oh, for a man, — Oh, for a mansion in the sky, I like pi—--1 like pi— I like pious men. Oh, my poor poll—r Oh, my poor poll— Oh, my poor polluted soul. And stir the stu— And stir the stu— And stir the stupid heart to, pray. Teach us to kiss— Teach us to kiss— Teach us to kiss thy rod.