THE FIRST MATE'S STATEMENT.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 101, 2 May 1881, Page 2

THE FIRST MATE'S STATEMENT.

I turned in at 4 a m , leaving the captain and seoond mate on deck. At 5-25 a.m. the vessel struck. When f left the deck she was steering west. From 2 to 4 we had been steering W.S.W. The weather was hazy over the hind, but I noticed nothing unusual. When I called the watch, the captain came on deck, and altered the course aa stated. I was asleep when tha ship struck. I rushed on deck, and the engines were reversed, but thi3 was no use. She struck aft, and unshipped the rudder and broke her propeller. The engines were of no use, and stopped. All hands were called to

clear away boats. Ten minutes after the engines stopped the ship was full of water. At 5.30 the first boat waa lowered, with the second mate in charge, and four sailors and one passenger, to try for landing. The passenger, Lawrence, a young man, when the boat was half-way, swam ashore, having previously promised, if successful, to remain and help in binding the passengers. He did bo, after finding his way to Mr. Brunton's station, and causing to be jient the first telegraphic message' coming to hand, The messenger was Charles Gibbs, who rode 35 miles torWynafawn by 12.80. Another attempt at landing the passengers was made, but out of five two wero drowned in tho surf. Another boat 4 wM then lowered, and the carpenter sent with it to see if landing waa practicable on the reef. His report was unsatisfactory, and the, second mate -was sent, and tried landing oh *the reef, .but without success. One man was lost. The captain next sent the first, mote inoharre-of a boat containing throe passengers and a boy. All landed safe «toept -the- boy, who was drowned. Iho boat was oapsiied, and opened at both, ends, and v thus became uselc-s Eciiaird were made by men on Bhore. but the 'sea was too heavy to frunoh her. The vessel all this time was bumping heavily. Some of tho passengers had faking to the rigging, and others were clustered on the forecastle, but a head sea was breaking over them heavily. At 2.30 there was a heavy sea breaking, which washed several passengers (women and children) ovor, and after that they dropped off one by one.