Wreck of the Taiaroa

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2269, 13 April 1886, Page 2

Wreck of the Taiaroa

(United Press Association.) ' 12.24 p.m. i The two passengers saved are Sergoant i Grant and Gilbert Hutton, of the Govern- [ ment buildings, A third has boeh found , still alive but cramped, 1.7 p.m. The Captain of the Taiaroa is supposed to have got away seaward with tho boat containing tho women. The Captain's boat got adrift from the other throe boats which subsequently capsized, These boats were filled with passengers and crew, Grant, who was saved, is a member of the torpedo corps. 1,37 p.m. The following- is the statement by Mr Trolove owner of Kekerancu station : "On the first news that there was a steamer ashore, myself, M. W, Trolovo, and men, immediately proceeded down, and found the Taiaroa on the boach, Two survivors came up to the station about 6 a,m. this morning, and told us about the accident. Their names are Sergeant Grant, A.C., and Gilbert Hutton, passimger. When we .reached the beach we hailed the steamer, but there was no one on board, We then went along the beach and picked up some bodies. These were' all found about three miles north-west; We then turned back, and some, of the men are now searching the boach further north," Hutton's account is that the ; vessel struck between 7 and 8 p.m. on Sunday. An attempt was made to get a i lino ashore. The boat 1 was in capsized, 1 and I was picked up by the boat that Grant was in, and it also capsized. All the passengers and crow had cork jackets on, 1 and wo could never have landed without . this assistance. Grant's account is that

four boats started from the ship. \ was in' the starboard life-boat, which waa swamped about 2 o'clock. The Captain's boat broke adrift and went out to sea. Out of fourlife-boats, threo were capsized. The vessel is lying about half a mile north of Waipapa point, the bow is about fifty yards from the shore, and the side nearly parallel with the beach. She is over a little to the port aide, The waves are striking her with great force, but are not washing over the bridgo and poop. To all appearance no damage seems done. Tho females are said to be in a boat at sea, 2.41 p.m. Tho Captain of the Taiaroa, with boat containing ten men has just arrived at Wairau Bar. The boat was blown to sea, but made laud again. Constable McQuarten, from'whom little information can bo obtained, was washed ashore four miles north of ftekorangu, or sixteen miles from the scene of the wreck. There were twenty-nine in his boat, including the mate, stewardess, and five women. 3.12 p.m.

Those in the boat it W&irau Bar are passengers Thomas Oliver, Eobert Henderson, John Harper of Christchurch; Grew Samuel Dalrymple," 'engineer; William. Quin, boy ; William Tain, firoraan; James Webb, carpenter; John Mackay, A, B„ Duncan Campbell, steward ; Joseph Fielder, chief steward; Geo. Thompson, Captain. 8 p.m. A telegram from Kaikoura states that Mr Ronner, of the Kaikoura Star, met Mr McDonald, Iato" Manager of the Reserve which runs about eleven miles 'from Kaikoura, who had visited the scono of cho wreck, McDonald states that the vessel was wrecked between seven and eight o'clock last night half a mile north of the muuth of the Clarence River. An attempt was made to get a line ashore. All had cork jackets on when they took to the boats. Four starting in one boat were capsized. Hutton reached the second boat which also capsized. A third boat, with the captain in charge, broke adrift, and went seaward, Nothing could bo learnt of the fourth boat. Hutton struck out for the beach, aud was a good deal knocked about, He walked about all night, and reached Woodbank Station at six this morning. Mr Trolove and his men immediately proceeded to the scene, and on the way met Sergt. Grant of tho Armed Constabulary Force. • Search was made along the beach, and at nine o'clock three bodies were found, one engineer, and two seamen at the furthest three miles north of the wreck, The vessel was lying on tho starboard side to the beach, but she had a slight list to port. The sea was breaking over the vessel, but not heavily. The beach is all boulders, and a heavy sea was running. Up the coast search parties were proceeding north along the beach, The survivors Were in such a weak Btate, that they could communicate very little with : Mcr Donald, . Mr Trolove did' everything possible for the Bufferers, ■ '..-.■■ Blenheim, April 13. ' The Captain of the Taiaroa was inter, viewed by' tho reporters but beyond giving the Mowing particulars he declined to say anything of the disaster, " After leaving Wellington, the Taiaroa had a'strong wind. About 3 p.m. on Sunday the wind chopped round suddenly and blew hard from South East with thick, rainy weather and heavy fog. The vessel steered'her usual course down. The boats got away without difficulty, and every person was off the ship, when the captain got into his boat. There were only three females on ; board." Kekeranotj, this day. At low water yesterday the Taiaroa was within ten yards of dry land. She appears to be lying steady with small seas breaking over her. Three men swam on board and rescued a monkey and a cat, The vessel seems to have the bottom stovo in but no holes are visible. Grant and Hutton, who were washed ashore, are progressing favorably, but McQuarters i still weak, sad entering frou loi

exposure, One boat vas found smashed on tho beach near the wreck, and another hanging by a line from the stern, bottom upwards. Four miles north of Kekerangu a third boat was found washed up on the beach with one dead body in it wearing officers uniform. It is supposed to. be Stratford, tho third engineer. Another body was found in the Bame place, supposed to be a passenger. Hutton says the steamer struck three times on the ppen big bouldored beach, shortly after seven. At 7.30 the passengers and crew were ordered into tho boats, four in number, which were fastened to the stern. They remained thero till 12, when they were upset. Grant and McQuarters are members of the Torpedo Corps, Hutton for nine years was pilot boatman at Lyttelton. Search parties from Kekarangu and Flaxbourne weroout all yesterday, and up to tho present eight bodies have- come ashore, three are at Woodbank, two being sea men, and one apparently engineer. There is not the slightest probability of any other lives being.saved. McQuartor states that thero were eleven men in his boat when it left the ship, but nine diod of exhaustion before the boat righted itself the last time Hutton and McQuarter says that the captain, after the steamer had struck, remarked that he thought he was within five miles of Kaikoura, and was steering into HalfMoon Bay, hut m a matter of fact the steamer was heading direct for the Clarence bridge in the mouth of the river when she struck, McQuarters considers there wero 50 souls on board. The

body of a passenger washed ashore had a kr bitten off by a shark. None of the eight bodies have been actually identified yet. Fivo drowned bodies north of Kekerangu will be brought hero to-day to await.inquest. ' t ' _ Blinheiji, this day, A preliminary enquiry was held last evening. Captain Thomson said ho left Wellington on Sunday morning, but on account of a strong N.W, wind ho kept a quarter point more in than usual, until 3.30 p.m., when they were abreast of Cape Campbell, and tho courso was then altered. Suddenly the wind chopped to S.E., raining heavily, and blowing hard, and the sea got up quickly, He was on deck till 6.30, and she then appeared to be a good distance off land. The mate wa3 on the bridge, and he. told the mate that if he thought the vessel was getting closer in, or the weather came on thick so as to lose sight of land to let him know. About 7 o'clock the mate said ho could' see the land on the port bow. Witness ran on deck, and found they wore putting the helm hard to starboard, Whon he got there he stopped her, and wont full speed astern. Tho vessel took ground at the same time, the Chief Engineer came up ani said it was useless going further astern, as she was making water. He told tho second mate to try and run' a line to the beaoh. Ho could not effect a landing. He got the line over the stern towing all boats onto that. All the boats were made fast to it oxeopfc the Captains, and they lot her drop alongside the others. When alongside the first life-boat, witness told the first mate to take charge of her, When they camo to the last boat the carpenter missed it and they drifted away. The second mate was in charge of tho last bout and came after them togivo them tow. He towed them for an hour, but could make no headway, and therefore let go. Witness kept his boat close- into shore to prevent being blown to sea, He tried to make Cape Campbell but could not, and stoerod for Wairau bur. Everyone in tho boats had lifebelts ou. Ho did not tako soundings, but the usual precautions were taken, There was nothing wrong with the oompasses so far as ho knew, They were oOrreoted seven or eight monfcliß ago. ' Some magnetic influence, - with strong current setting in, might have caused the accident. The wind appeared to come froin the south, but the sea sot in strong from S.E. Two lady passengers were in No, 1 life boat.

James West, carpenter, deposed: The sea was breaking right over the bridge, and there was a heavy sea on deck, before they loft, Tho vessel bumped heavily the whole time after she struck. Samuel Dalrymple stated when the Engines stopped there was four feet water, witness then went on deck, and returning to tho engine room a few minutes later found G feet of water and the fires were out. John Mackay, who was on watch as look out forward said the vessel seemed to be the proper distance when passing Cape Campbell. Witness had steered the same courso on tho Taiaroa fur 14 months The despositionß will he forwarded to Wellington.