SHIPWRECKS AT NEWCASTLE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2809, 27 July 1866, Page 4

SHIPWRECKS AT NEWCASTLE.

We compile the following from the detailed report in the Sydney Morning Herald, July 17th : —

Loss o» the ' Oxwarba.' — A steamer was observed about noon to the eastward, apparently making for this port ; she seemed to steam very slowly, and some parties assert she remained nearly in one position for some considerable time j as she heared the port her name, from the peculiar build, was proved to be the 'Cawarra' (s.), bound from Sydney to Queensland ; she rounded Nobby's with the jib set, and seemed to steam very slowly ; a succession of heavy seas struck her and carried her over past the ' Eleanor Lancaster's ' mast ; a heavy sea slewed her round with her head out to sea. Opinions differ at this point as to whether the steamer injured her rudder at this time, or by touching on the Oyster Bank made a hole forward, but certain it is, however, in steaming ahead to get out of the breakers, it was observed she was considerably down by the head, and on arriving at the edge of the Oyster Bank suddenly stopped ; i volume of steam came up out of the steam-pipe foi a few seconds, and the unfortunate steamer at once appeared to become unmanageable. Theforesal was set, but was of little service ; the ' Cawarra gradually settled down by the head. In a few minutes the funnel went by the board, carrying with it three or four men, one of whom is said to be Captain Chatfield, the master of the steamer. Sea after s*ea struck the ill-fated ship, and in a few minutes more she became a total wreck. The unfortunate passengers and crew could be distinctly seen on the quarter-deck and on the rigging oi the mainmast, and although some hundreds from the shore were witness to this fearful calamity, no aid could apparently be rendered the unfortunate creatures. The elements were merciless ;as wave after wave broke in rapid succession it was seen the fate of those on board was doomed unless immediate aid from the shore was rendered. In a few brief moments the mainmast went by the board, carrying with it every human being that was clinging to it for 'life. The next sea washed the few from the pdop, and in ten minutes after the foremast went over the side, carrying with it the' few remaining human beings left on board, and then not a vestige of the once splendid steamer 'Cawarra' remained to be seen. Scarce three-quarters of an hour elapsed from the time the steamer stopped- until she entirely disappeared. As I have previously said, the opinions are various as to the. cause of this fearful disaster. Some seem to think that the steamer was partly disabled before approaching'the port ; others are-of opinion that in trying to get cloar of the breakers the heavy sea .falling on board filled her fore compartment, rushed into the engine-room, and put out the fires just at a time when the vessel was nearly out of her difficulties. There are many other surmises, but I dare say the only survivor will ba able to throw some light on this dreadful event. No doubt many will ask where was our lifeboat — what was it doing ? I can onlysSay the question is asked here ; and many think a good deal more might have been done to endeavour to save life ; but as the subject will be one that no doubt will cause some inquiry, I refrain from making any comment There is one thing certain, that it will be necessary for the Government to adopt measures for the proper working and manning of the lifeboat when occasion requires. The sad affair was somewhat sudden, as it was generally believed that the steamer would, succeed in again getting out to sea. Still, thoseon shore were not idle. Several boats from the shore and the shipping put off to render assistance, but many of them did not proceed far, from the force of wind and tide ; only two or three succeeded in reaching the lifeboat shed ; one or two made the North bhore. It is said the name of the boat that led the way and succeeded in going outside a short distance was the • Light of the Age. ' The lifeboat followed, and managed to get' within sight of the wreck, but the seas came so heavily on board that no less than eight of fourteen oars broke, almost disabling the boat, and the crew had reluctantly to return;

Behaviour of other Vessels in the Gam. — At about 8 o'clock on Thursday morning a loaded schooner made the port, and managed to get safely in. There was a fearful sea running, breaking right across the harbour. At about 10.30 a.m. the ' Coonanbara ' (s.), contrary to general expectation, put out to sea for Sydney. . Her progress was watched with some anxiety, and as she rounded Nobby' s, and lifted to the mountainous seas, it was a sight not to be«asily forgotten ; but the noble boat steamed steadily onward, and got safel3 r through the worst of the break and proceeded on her voyage. At this time, a brig was signalled off the port, which proved to be the ' Victory.' The captain was a stranger, and signalled for a pilot, but the sea was running too high for a boat to live. The signal was made to stand off, but the brig came on.' The signal was then made — "Too much sea on bar; or bar dangerous to attempt to cross " — but the brig still coming on the last signal made was, "Keep the middle channel," which the master of the brig did, and brought his vessel safely into port/for which he certainly deserves the highest praise — at least this is the general opinion. Perhaps what may appear somewhat remarkable was, the schooner ' Veno ' making the port and entering in safety, at the time when the last mast of the foundered steamer had scarcely disappeared. With a good press of canvas the schooner came round Nobby's, the seas swept her rapidly onward, 'in a moment the main boom carried away, and she came round under Nobby's ; to this fortunate circumstance is generally attributed the schooner's safety; another minute and she was clear, coming along in comparative smooth water. Alongwarpwashangingoverhersterntomake her steer better through the fearful break of sea. It wag a grand light to witness tte schoongr when she suddenly rounded towards Nobby '■ ; for a moment she shook and trembled as if conscious of having escaped an awful danger, and then again bounded along- and catered in safety. At 10 o'clock on Friday the gale began to moderate. At about 11 o'clock the ' Susannah Cathbert' made the port, and some hundreds of people were along the shore to watch her attempt to enter. ' Contrary to general expectation the noble little steamer managed to work through', with only two or three severe 'shakings. Once she appeared likely to go over, but, having the tide favourable,, and > canvas spread, brought her safely in. She had not been in very long before the signal went up for a schooner and ketch.