WRECK OF THE LEICHARDT.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 444, 2 January 1869, Page 3

WRECK OF THE LEICHARDT.

I The wreck of this vessel, from London to "Wellington, was briefly and rather unintelligibly announced (the name being wrongly spelt in the English telegrams of last month). We have full particulars by this mail. At about a quarter to 7 on Friday evening, 21st October, the night remarkably fine and clear, with bright moonlight, she was run down at the entrance of the Thames, about two miles from the Eore, by the North Star, screw steamer, also outward bound, under somewhat extraordinary circumstances. Her crew numbered 21 hands, under the command of Captain Philips, and she had on board 26 saloon and second cabin passengers. At sunset the masthead light was hoisted, as also a light placed over her chains forward, in accordance with the rules, to signify that the ship was anchored. Shortly after 6 o'clock a large steamer was seen coming out of the river. She was then several miles distant and did not attract any particular attention till nearly three quarters of an hour afterwards, though some of the passengers had been ■watching her all the time, and remarked to each other that she apjpeared to be making direct for the

: ship. The chief mate of the Leichardt , was with some of the crew on the forecastle, and perceiving that the steamer i must run the ship down if she continued her course they hailed her several times, the remainder of the crew and passengers joining in the shout; but to their bewilderment no heed was taken of their cries, for the steamer came on at full speed, and with tremendous force struck the ship's bow the whole of which was stove with forecastle and deck as far as her windlas, and cut down below her water line. By the force of the concussion she heeled over; the steamer forced her completely round, when she got clear, and went some distance before she brought up. Captain Philips discovered that the ship was inevitably lost; she was fast filling, and in a fewminutes must have foundered. On rallying his crew, to get the lifeboat out, he found that his chief mate and most of the men had got on board the North Star. He called all the passengers and implored them to work at the pumps with all their might, which they did cheerfully • and fortunately all the pumps were ready rigged, so that there w T as no loss of time. Finding the North Star showing no symptoms of rendering help he ordered signal guns to be fired, as also rockets and blue lights, and in the meanwhile, with the assistance of the few remaining he managed to launch the life-boat safely. Collecting all the women and children together he at once got them into the boat, and despatched it to the North Star. At this moment another steamer, outward bound, which proved to be the Spanish steamer Beatrice, passed between the ship and the North Star. The pilot hearing the shrieks and screams from the Leichardt, "We are sinking ; for God's sake save us!" instantly put his helm down, and brought the steamer close up, and also put out two of his "boats, which, with two boats from the North Star, pulled with all speed to the rescue of the remainder of the passengers and crew. The ill-fated snip was going down iast—indeed the helpless creatures on board had barely time to get into the boats before she foundered. The boats with their living freight, succeeded in getting safely to the North Star. When they were got on board they were in a miserable plight; some were in their nightclothes, others slightely clothed, but not one saved anything "but what he stood upright in. One of the passengers, a "Mrs Tone, had contrived to snatch up a leather reticule belonging to her containing £l2O in Bank notes . and jewellery and plate to the value of £IOO, and got it into the life-boat with her, but on getting on board the North Star she lost it. She had also on board the Leichardt property to the value of £SOO, which her friends had urged her to insure before going on board, but she neglected to act on the advice. Strange to say the North Star did not sustain the least injury by the collision.

Filial Affection.—The following conversation, which, had it come to his knowledge, the late Mr Leech would have used as an illustration of " Life in the Mining Districts," has just been repeated to us : —First Collier: There's been a foire (explosion) at Jackson's pits. Second Collier: My feyther worked there. First Collier: Tes, and he's blowed all to pieces. Second Collier : By gum; why, he's got my knoife !