THE S.B. TAUPO LOST.

Press, Volume XXXV, Issue 4906, 9 May 1881, Page 3

THE S.B. TAUPO LOST.

c I The Taupo sunk in thirty-eight fathoms of water near Mayer Island, and baa taken the result of two years' expenditure of capita and energy with her. On Friday, when she left Tauranga in tow of the s.s. Sulfa at 1.30 p.m., high hopes were entertained, says the "New Zealand Herald," that by the evening of the next day ahe would have made a triumphal entry into Auokland harbor, that all fears would have been set at rest, and that perseverance would have received its reward. But it was fated to be otherwise. The Wellington picked her up at Karewha, where the Taranaki was lost, about 5.15 p.m., and, having made fast with four warps, she steamed away at the rate of three and a-half knots per hour. There was a light easterly wind, and the water wassmooth. A man stood by the tow lines on board the Wellington, armedjwith an axe the whole time, ready to cut them asunder should it have been deemed necessary at any time. On the Taupo all went on smoothly enough until between eight and nine o'clock, one pnmp being kept going about half time. The first warning they had of a leak was a few minutes after eight, when it was ascertained that the water was gaining in the hold. Then both pumps were set going, but eventually it was found that all efforts were ineffectual in decreasing the water. At last matters became so serious that a signal was given to stop towing, the lines were thrown off by the people on board the Taupo, and preparations were made for leaving. The men beat a precipitate retreat to the boat, leaving Mr Grouk, Mr Greenleaf, and Mr Charles Clark on board. When the Taupo ceased moving through the sea, (he water in her hold remained stationary for some time, but after a while began again. When the Taupo signalled to cease towing Mayer Island bore N.E.iN. That was the first warning the Wellington had that anything was wrong, and Captain Farquhar was astonished to be told within a quarter of an hour afterwards that the ship was sinking, and to send a boat for the crew. A boat was at once lowered, but hardly had she touched the water when the boat from the Taupo came alongside, containing the crew and engineers. The Taupo having let go the warps the Wellington could not back up until these were hauled in, otherthey might have become entangled with her propeller. Then she steamed alongside, first to windward, next to leeward, but eventually ;ept off about 200 yards, and remained there till the Taupo sank. Mr Gouk saved some tarpaulins, screwjaoks, and clothes, being the ! last to leave. The Taupo was abandoned at 8 20, but did not sink until 9 40. This was an appalling sight, and made the blood of the spectators run cold. Men who have spent a lifetime on the sea say they wish never to witness suoh a sight again. She went down stern first. She began settling down aft, very slowly, increasing gradually, and finally rapidly, until she stood right on end, and 40ft above water, and the keel was plainly visible. Then there was a frightful screaming of wind through the ventilators and hatches, and crashing of timber, as if the decks were breaking up. The bursting of the boilers, extinguishment of fires, and escape of steam, also added to the ghastliness of the occasion. When bolt upright, she remained stationary for a moment, rose, then sank, never to float again. When going down there was heard a most unearthly sound, like a shriek, which struck terror into the hearts of those who heard it. It has been aptly compared to the roar of a dying whale. Some consternation existed on board the Wellington at this time. A ory was raised, " The ship is sinking," and ladies awakened thereby rushed on deck in great trepidation, thinking that the Wellington was meant. She floated safely a abort distance from the whirlpool created by the disappearance of the Tanpo.