TOTAL LOSS OF THE SHIP WALTER HOOD.—TWELVE LIVES LOST.— FEARFUL SUFFERINGS OF THE SUBVIVORS. (FROM THE "SYDNEY MAIL," MAY 7.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3972, 16 May 1870, Page 4

TOTAL LOSS OF THE SHIP WALTER HOOD.— TWELVE LIVES LOST.— FEARFUL SUFFERINGS OF THE SUBVIVORS. (FROM THE "SYDNEY MAIL," MAY 7.)

At an early hour on Saturday morning, April 30, a telegram was received by the Government, conveying the startling and melancholy intelligence of the wreck of the ship Walter Hood, near Cape St. George. Twelve lives been lost, Captain Latto, well known in this port, among the number. The Walter Hood left London for (Sydney in January last, and had on board as passengers two gentlemen of the Smith, and one named Haynes. The following are the particulars of this lamentable event as related by Mr. Tickler, the third officer :— The Walter Hood, Captain Latto, sighted Gabo Island Light at 1 a.m. on 25fch ultimo ; it was then blowing strong from S.E., the ship cairying topgallant sails. At 3 a.m. a heavy squall struck the vessel, the topsails were blown from the bolt ropes, and a seaman named Wilkie was washed overboard. The ship, being well clear of Cape Howe, was kept away, and fresh sails bent ; but the breeze hardened to a violent gale, and the fora and main topsails again were lost. A maintopgallant sail was then bent as a foretopsail, and the ship kept her course under foresail, foretopsail, mainsail, and foretopmast staysail, the wind blowing a pei*fect huriicane, and a fearful sea running, with thick dirty weather; but the ship behaved well, and no danger was anticipated, when, at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 26th, land was sighted on the starboard bow to windward. Captain Latto, finding he could not weather the point, attempted to stay her, but she would not come round, and he then wore her ronnd on the port tack, the wind being from S. E. to E.S.E., flying about in stidden squalls, the vessel heading about S. bj' W., but it was impossible to claw off on either tack ; night closed in, and then Cape St. George light was seen astern ; no land was observable to leeward, the weather being too thick, and at about 8 p. m. she struck ; the port anchor was then let go, which brought her up head to sea. Captain Latto was forward directing, when a sea broke on board, and drove him against the spars of bulwarks ; the result was that some of his ribs were broken ; he was at once conveyed to his cabin, and such assistance and remedies at command were administered. The heavy seas sweeping the decks fore and aft compelled all hands to take shelter in the cabin, and so the first night passed. Daylight of the 27th disclosed to the helpless crew more clearly their dangerous situation. The vessel was within 150 yards of the shore, but cut off from all communication by a terrific surf, and the ship breaking up and bumping heavily. At 6a. m. the mizen mast was cut away to ease her, but it had little or no effect ; a boy named Davis was carried overboard with it and was drowned. By noon the decks had broken up, and the ship settling on her port side the cargo was continually being washed out. Abijut this time Captain Latto came on deck, but was compelled to go below again, and he was shortly after seen floating away to leeward ; the bulkhead of the cabin having given way, he had been washed out. No help could be rendered, and, after a few ineffectual struggles to regain the ship, he sank, and was no more seen. Mr. Haines, a passenger, was induced to attempt reaching the shore by swimming, but was drowned. '\ Ashton, a seaman, and Sinclair, the boatj swain, next made for the land, but shared the same fate. That night the cook died, from exhaustion. The next morning, 28th, the weather proved fine, and the sea more moderate, when Williams and Branson, two seamen, attempted to get a line ashore. Branson, who had the line attached to him, was drowned, Williams reaching the shore in safety ; this gave some confidence, and one of the boys succeeded in gaining the beach, followed by. Mr. Hewison ((chief officer) and Mr. Cullen (second officer) : Coombes next attempted, and was drowned. McPher- ' son, Lemon, Moyes (seamen), and Gale, an apprentice, went next— McPlierson and Gale only being saved. Thone on shore made every endeavour to get a line to the wreck, but with no success. The night was pasced like the two preceding ones — no food, no water, and but faint hopes of seeing another day. On Friday, 29th, several people were seen on the beach. The Messrs. Smith (passengers) swam ashore, leaving thirteen souls on the wreck.' .That afternoon they learnt the joyful intelligence that help was at hand, but iv their famished state they were compelled to ,!dll a dog, .which was eagerly eaten, the blood being saved in a sou'wester and shared out. At midnight, a steamer's lights were seen ; the next morn- ; ing at 7 a.m. a boat came within reach, and by means of a line all got off the wreck, and were taken on board the Illalong (a.), where, it is needless to say, "every attention and I kindness was shown them ; and they were brought "on, to Sydney, and landed (shortly after 9,p.m, , The ppot^where this sad ocourrence took place- is. on the south Bide of Wreck Bay, a deep indent,* about Jlo miles south of Cape, Si George. The whole of the port side ia gone, rand the -greater portion. of the starboard side also.' The cargo, with the exception of the, iron,' has- been washed ashore., following is ajdafc of the Qre,w< .and i passengers : Drowned >-s Captain , f A . • . Latto ; Mr,: , Haines, passenger; Sinclair,' < boatswain; Ashton, Julian, Branson, Combes, i Moyes, Lemon, .Davis, .seamen ;_' Harvey, . cook. Saved — Mr. Hewison, chief officer: Mr. *ottlfcabr*SeeS3a officer •' Mr." TicWr7 third officer ; Berry, stew.ard ; Thorn, sailmaker ; Gray, carpenter; Turner, McPher;. son, '"Williams,-^Oroy,-DunkertbnJ c ParneUi" -MauL Scott, Butehard," seamen ; Gale, SinJclair, Lindsay, {Wilson;; Ifeawipk,- and # b*qy/|

name"unkitfo^rii appfentic6B.^The Walter H °o d^W> STOed.tjy , Messrs, .JS> .Thompson, and Sons, of Aberdeen, and arrived here on her first voyage sVmVI6 years ago. Captain Latto, her late commander, had carried her successfully through all the dangers incidental to long voyages for four years, and by his kindly disposition and long association with the colony he has gained many friends, who will learn with 1 sorrow his sad fate. The local insurance companies lose heavily by the wreck, the following amounts being insured in Sydney: — Pacific, £10,000, of which £5,000 is reinsured ; New South Wales, £5,000 ; United;" £4,000 ;,, Southern, £2,000 ; General, £400 i Sroythe's, £65.' The wreck and appurtenances were disposed of on May 2, at public sale, for the sum of £95. The bodies of Captain Latto, Mr. Haynes (passenger), and three of the crew of this illfated Vessel have been washed ashore, and buried near the scene of the wreck. A magisterial inquiry was held, and the following verdict returned! — "Accidentally drowned in the waters of the South Pacific Ocean, from the wreck of the ship Walter Hood, bound from London to Sydney." " }