THE ACCIDENT TO THE WAIHORA.

Evening Star, Issue 6842, 4 March 1886, Page 1

THE ACCIDENT TO THE WAIHORA.

[By as Invercargiu, Passenger.]

The news that the Union Steam Ship Company’s handsome steamer Waihora had been wrecked near the Tasmanian coast must have startled the people of New Zealand, especially when it is considered that her passenger list contained the names of about 200 persons, and that the majority of these hailed from that Colony. Cable messages have necessarily to be brief, and in hastily writing the news of any catastrophe brevity is often accompanied by vagueness. Therefore I might be correct in surmising that the fact of her being wrecked was first flashed to your shores, leaving additional particulars to follow in due course. If such were the case, great anxiety must have been caused in the minds of those who liad friends and relations on board, and the utmost interest manifested to learn the real facts of the unfortunate accident.

Tire U aihora, Captain M‘Gee, left the Bluff wharf for Milford Sound, Hobart, and Melbourne, on Friday, February 12, with a full passenger list drawn from the different ports of the Colony, and several tourists. Besides a number of Southland residents there were on board tire Hon Mr Robinson, M.E.C., and Mr H. P. Lanee, M.H.R., also six members of the Wilson “and Majeroni Opera Company. The weather proving adverse when fairly into the Strait, the captain decided not to call at the Sound, and accordingly we stood straight, on the course for Tasmania. Throughout the whole passage to Hobart high winds and heavy seas were met with, making the trip anything but jv pleasant one, nearly all the pissongoe becoming prostrated by sickness. The Derwent was reached on Tuesday morning in lovely weather, and the knowledge that we were in the harbor, soon brought all the passengers on deck, a large proportion of them never having shown themselves above since leaving New Zealand. Hobart was keeping strict holiday, the annual regatta being fixed for that day. The town was swarming with pleasure seekers, and the water was covered with sailing craft and rowing beatk, while additional interest was imparted to the scene by the appearance in the stream of the ironclad Nelson, with the Miranda, Opal, and two other gunboats. After discharging and taking in cargo, and putting ashore several cattle, we left again for Melbourne about.eight in the evening. Nothing of interest occurred during that night or the following morning. About ten minutes to two in the afternoon, when abreast of Eddystone Point, and close to a sandy beach, with the Nogood Rocks on our starboard side, and when within about twentyfive miles of Swan Island, which lay due north of us, we suddenly struck heavily at the bow. The concussion perceptibly checked the vessel’s progress, and made her heel to starboard, but she immediately recovered herself and moved ahead, never touching again. She struck so hard on the rock that many of the passengers aft were made to stagger on their feet, while several forward were tossed to the deck. The majority of the passengers were on deck at the time, having just finished their lunch, and the striking naturally caused considerable consternation, two or three of the ladies fainting through fright. The knowledge that the shore was close at hand, and the calmness of the sea, soon allayed their worst fears, however, and thereafter the most commendable order and bearing ensued. The captain had just relieved the second mate at the bridge, and could not have been in his place more than fifteen minutes when the accident occurred. He immediately stopped the ship, ‘ and gave orders to clear away the boats, sound the wells, and make every provision for-any emergency. She was drawing 14ft of water forward, and those who looked over her bows could see through the water the plates tom away. The ship was then put about, and steamed into the Bay of Fires, to the south of the rocks previously mentioned, where further trial of the pumps was made. Finding she was making water, the captain came aft, and, addressing the passengers, stated that he had decided to steam away for Swan Island, and if the water could be controlled by the pumps when the vessel arrived there, he would proceed to Melbourne. She was accordingly put full steam ahead for Iho island. Directly after starting, to the delight of everybody on board, a steamer was observed coming towards us, and this was immediately known to be the Tasmanian Company’s s.s. Southern Cross, bound for Hobart. At this time the draught of water bad-increased to 16ft, not at all a reassuring fact for those on board, and one causing speculation as to whether she would bieast the lighthouse. Captain M‘Gee at once prepared a note for the captain of the Southern Cross, requesting him to follow us back to*thc island, and render assistance if required.. When the vessel breasted us a boat from the Waihora, containing a messenger and the letter, connected with the Southern Cross, and the captain of'that craft immediately fell in with the suggestidn made, and accompanied us back to Swan Island, which we reached about an hour afterward. The bow of our' craft had then gone down another 3ft, and a decided list to starboard had become apparent. Captain Capurn, of the Southern Cross, and the lighthouse-keeper boarded our ship, and had a consultation with Captain M'Gee, with the result that we were to procure our luggage and make preparation for transhipment to the Cross. Dinner was then served to the passengers, and by seven o’clock we were all safely aboard the steamer that had given us timely aid. Naturally Captain Capurn was not prepared for such an influx of passengers to his ship, but pro? visions were extensively carried from the Waihora, and several of the stewards ordered to join the Cross to give us every attention. The Waihora was now drawing 22ft forward, with her propeller bladcsshowing afoot out of the Water, Previous’to our leaving for Low Head the Waihora fitted her anchor and steamed for the beach under the lighthouse, being guided for the channel by a fight on the shore. This not being placed exactly in line with the channel, she caught on the tail of a reef and hung, there, about 150 yards from the shore, subsequently events proving that this was a lucky mishap, as it enabled the steamers despatched to her assistance to work all round her. We then stood away for Low Head, the entrance to the port of Launceston, to report our trouble and await orders. These latter reached us some four hours after arrival, and requested us to steam straight away for Melbourne, where we arrived about eleven o’clock on Friday all safe and in the best of spirits. Previous to leaving the Waihora the passengers presented the captain with an address of sympathy at the unfortunate accident. On the \oyage across in the Southern Cross Mr Keith, the purser, alto reecived an address, of thanks for his attention to our wants, while Captain Capurn, in addition to receiving a testimonial, was the recipient of a purse of sovereigns. So fsr ns bodily discomfort was concerned, the wreck was the most pleasant that it could have been the lot of anyone to experience. Everything was auspicious—the sea ttibn, the delay very little, and the surroundings satisfactory. In the evening, on board the Cross, the deck aft was decorated profusely with Chinese lanterns, while several of the opera company kindly sang excellent Many of the passengers are hqavy losers through their luggage being damaged by water. The majority had their goods placed in the forward hold, and this was completely swamped. The agent of .the Wilson ami Majeroni Opera Company esti-

mates his loss in scenery, etc., at about L7OO, while another member of the company Is LISO to tho bad for dresses, etc. Both have lodged claims. The cargo was not valuable forward, being mostly bark, shipped at Hobart. Several valuable draught horses were between decks, but they wore all safely transferred to the deck, and afterwards transhipped on board another steamer. On receipt of the nows of the accident in Melbourne steamers were at once sent to the aid of the vessel in distress, taking with them pumps and all necessary gear. Favored by calm weather, rapid progress was made in successfully getting her afioat again, and on Tuesday morning she was safely lodged in Messrs Wright and Orr’s graving dock in the Yarra. Had a gale from the eastward sprung up while the vessel lay on the rocks, she must have at once gone to pieces, as the point where she was resting is quite exposed. The intention, of'course, was to beach her when putting the vessel for the land, but it is now considered certain that she would never have been removed from tho sandy shore had she been beached upon it, and must have become imbedded there. The; rooks she caught on are apparently responsible for most of the mischief wrought to her hull, but this is infinitesimal considering the ship has been saved thereby, Every sympathy is expressed for Captain M‘Gee, as it was well known that he was contemplating quitting seafaring life, and was in tho hope of securing an appointment In connection with the Company in Sydney. He exhibited groat calmness and resolution at the time of striking, and has shown praiseworthy tact and skill in superintending matters in connection with tho Waihora’s recovery. Mrs M‘Gce (with her little boy) was also on board, and refused to leave her husband, although requested by him to proceed on board the Cross with the passengers. To the officers and ship’s company generally every praise is due for their obedience to duty and willingness to do their utmost for the safety of the passengers and ship. Naturally there were incidents in connection with the voyage, and one or two may prove interesting. While the vessel was lying to her anchor in tho stream off the Derwent, and the cattle were made to swim ashore, it was found necessary to destroy one of the animals that had become cast. This was done by knocking tho beast on the head. The captain was standing with several of the passengers witnessing the destruction, and, turning to them, remarked: “ There is no knrfwing ; it may be my knock next.” And so it proved to be. There was a gentleman on board who Is familiarly known in Zealand as “Ready Money,” and who rejoices in the possession of the letters M.L.C., and there was also on tho ship a gentleman of German extraction, hailing from Nelson. The worthy lord, being in a facetious strain, remarked to a fellow-passenger that Bismarck was observed directly tho vessel struck making hastily for the rigging. This libel on the foreigner’s character was ton much to be endured without some reparation. He forthwith accosted tho “ slanderer,” and demanded an apology, excitedly proclaiming that his courage had never before been questioned, and that he felt grossly insulted. The noble lord blandly stated that he was repeating the words of another gentleman, and answered the aggrieved one that it was only a goodhumored joke, and entirlcy devoid of truth. This explanation appearing satisfactory, harmony again reigned in the saloon of the Cross.

An Invercargill passenger had perhaps the most unpleasant experience. On Sunday morning a man killed himself by cutting his throat at the Bourke street Coffee Palace. By some unaccountable means a statement gained currency that the suicide was a passenger in the Waihora, and his name was freely mentioned. Now so it happens that travellers by sea seldom know their fellowpaasengers’ name, although freely talking to them. Well they all knew there was a person named on the ship, but they did not know which was ho. This gentleman was walking down tho street on Monday with another passenger, and happened to meet the purser of the Waihora, who remarked that, to make matters worse in connection with the wreck, a gentleman named had cut his throat. Imagine the consternation of the purser being confronted in tho life by tho supposed suicide ; and this incident was repeated every time a passenger by the Waihora was mot with, and it became decidedly unpleasant for a few days to the one maligned. The rock on which the vessel struck is not charted, but some assert that it was known, especially to the captains of the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company’s boats. By taking the inner passage through the Eucalyptus and Salamander Rocks three or four miles are saved, and the wisdom of using the shorter route with such a large ship as the Waihora may be questioned. Some think the ship was too near the shore, but another captain of the Union Company’s line has been, it is stated, three-quarters of mile nearer in, and found deep water. With the discipline of the ship’s officers and crew, as I said before, no fault could be found, but there was certainly a want of smartness and preparedness in launching the boats. It was evident they had not been swung for some time, and the pumps were anything but in working order; one on tho port side refusing to draw water, and having to be abandoned. These defects arc not pointed out in a hostile spirit, nor merely for tho sake of fault-finding, but to secure their being guarded against in tire future, and thereby ensuring for travellers what is their due.—‘ Southland Daily News,’ March 3. THE IXQTJIIiy. The inquiry into the causes that led to the striking of the steamer Waihora off Eddystone Point, on the north-east coast of Tasmania, was commenced on the 24th ulc. by the Steam Navigation Board. From the evidence (says the ‘ Argus’) it appeared that the Waihora was taken up tho inner passage between tho Salamander and Eucalyptus rocks, as the weather was fine. It was not an unusual thing for tho Union steamers to take this passage, which cuts off about six miles from the outer route. The officers of tho Waihora generally expressed the opinion that the vessel struck a pinnacle of a rock and broke it off with the force of the collision, as she continued her way without deviation, and, although the vessel was deeper aft, nothing was heard or felt after the first sharp shock. The chief officer thought that if the ship struck the Nurgato rock she would have hung on it, while the second officer said thaton thcocoasion of the accident the ship was following the ordinary course, and had on other occasions passed closer into Eddystone Point and further away from it. The Board expressed a wisli to hear the evidence of some of the passengers who had given statements to the newspapers, and adjourned the inquiry until Friday, in order that those who might wish to say anything about tho matter should have an opportunity of presenting themselves.

A telegram in the ‘ Hobart Mercury ’ of the 2Tth inst. says :—“ The inquiry has been concluded before the Steam Navigation Board in relation to the disaster to the s.s. Waihora off Eddystone Point on the 19th inst. After several witnesses had been examined, and lengthy consideration, the captain and officers were exonerated, and the Board directed attention to the fact the position of the rock on which the Waihora is alleged to have struck is directly in Hie fairway of navigation on the cast coast of Tasmania, and that it is imperative for preservation of both life amt property that action should bo taken to search for tho said hidden and unknown danger as early as possible, and thus prevent, or at least reduce to a minimum, the risk to navigation. The Board considered it tiicir duty to urge these views upon the Government in order that tho necessary steps may be taken to have tho locality examined without delay by H.M. surveying ship Myrmidon.”