THE S.S. WESTPORT. THE CAPTAIN'S STATEMENT.

Evening Post, Volume XXIII, Issue 145, 23 June 1882, Page 2

THE S.S. WESTPORT. THE CAPTAIN'S STATEMENT.

IBY TBLEGBAPH.J lUNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Blenheim, 22nd June. The crew of the Weatport arrived in town at 3 o'clock. The following information concerning the wreok is gathered from Oapt Gibb.— The Westport left Lyttelton at 5 a.m. on Sunday, and at 9 p m. was abreast of Waipapa, when the wind commenced to freshen from the northward. Captain Gibb pnt back into Halfmoon Bay, and anchored for the night. (Jot under weigh at 6 a.m. on Monday morning, and passed Kekerangu about 11 a.m. The wind then came on fresh from tho north-west, and the -'• estport anchored under the Flag Rooks. On Tuesday morning the Bea looked very unpleasant, but as it appeared that the wind would be from the north-east the vessel got under weigh at 7.30 a.m., and proceeded past Capo Campbell at 10 o'clock. The tea, was then smooth; but eight miles further north it commenced to blow from the north-west stiffly, and as the sea was getting up rapidly Captain Gibb deemed it advisable to turn back under the shelter of Cape Campbell, as the centrifugal pump was not working very well. In turning, the ship made some heavy lurches, and pitched everything in the hold to the lee Bide, and went over on her beam ends. She lay there perfectly unmanageable. She lay so much on one side that the coal would not lie in the bars of the furnace, and as a consequence the steam went down. Captain Gibb mado numerous efforts to right the ship, but \\ knout avail. The engine on deck which drove the centrifugal pump also shift d. The Westport lay like this for nearly three hours, drifting to the sonthward, and making water all the time. All hands were set to work baling out the water with buckets and tuba. A sea Bmashed a boat on the lee davits. In order to try to get some coals on the fires two men were la-ahed in the stokehole, and a httle steam was got up, and the vessel was got to forge ahead a little On being Bteered by canvas for Cape Campbell the steamer just fetched the Flaxbourne anchorage, below Cape Campbell, at 4 p in. on '1 uesday! Captain Gibb still had hopes of .saving the ship, and he determined to let go the anchor as soon as soundings cou'd be obtained and make a final effort, lha anchor was let go off Flaxbourne in 10 fathom?. The engineer made a survey of damage dene to the cenirifngal pnmp engine, and reported that it was impossible to right it. The water, which had been gaining fast, was now level with the main rail on the lee side. Captain Gibb then ordered the remaining two boats, which were on the weather side, to be lowered away. He then held a coußultation with the officers and engineer as to the condition of the ship. Finally Captain Gibb came to the conc'.uaion that it was impossib'e to beach the ship, Bhe being under no control. Night was coming on, a heavy gale blowing, and the steamer fast settling down by the head. Captain Gibb then gave orders to m"n the boats, and after all were safely in them, went in himself, 'lhis was at 5 o'clock. The boats made for the lee side cf the reef at Flaxbourne, and reached the beach just at dark. The captain aud crew lost everything. Captain Gibb speaks highly of the kindness he and his men experie ced at Flaxbourne. Before they left the Weatport the bulkhead of the engine-room had given out.

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