NARRATIVE OF MR. ALLEN.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 974, 1 September 1868, Page 3

NARRATIVE OF MR. ALLEN.

We loft the wharf in Wellington on Wednesday, 19th August, about T3O. The passage across the Straits was of the ordinary character— a beautiful day ; but owing, I suppose, to the strong " flood tide" it was liot a. quick passage. We neared the entrance to Tory Channel and dinner had just commenced when the accident occurred. I will endeavor to give the particulars as they appeared to me — standing on the bridge close to the Captain, who had taken his position on the lifeboat, which from being much higher gave him a clearer view of the entrance. The magnificent view of the sea breaking on the rocks on the north side, and. upon which the sun was shining, entirely Occupied my attention, when suddenly I heard from the Captain, in a low tone; the words "stop her," followed by "full speed astern ;" instantly turning and looking straight ahead I saw the Boat Hock close on the vessel's bows ; even then it was almost impossible to understand the danger, although so close at hand. However little time was given to think, for in less time than occupied in writing this* the steamer ran up the rock, slid off, and then, lifted on the sea, struck heavily twice — immediately broaching to ; an immense wave hove her broadside on the rocks, with a force that drove the donkey engine right into the middle of the engine-room, knocking down the man at the wheel, and at the same time clearing the dinner table in the saloon, and sending its occupants hurriedly on deck, the vessel still striking, though apparently not so heavily ; on the whole, I should think she struck ten or twelve times. The crashing noise made when she struck amidships was so fearful, that I expected nothing less than that she must immediately go to pieces, and felt truly thankful to find her leaving the reef, and being carried rapidly by the strong tide into the entrance, but so close did she pass round the Boat Hock, that it did not appear difficult for a bold swimmer to have jumped overboard and reached the shore in the small bay just inside the entrance on the south side ; in fact, I was near to trying it myself, but fortunately did not. Of course the consternation amongst the passengers was very great, but it was not of that heartrending description that might have been expected, probably owing to the suddouesa of- the calamity.' the' first thing we learned was that the propeller was knocked away entirely, and the engine rendered useless, except for pumping, to which purpose the Engineer informed me that it was immediately applied, and continued to work until the water reached the fires, when steam was at once blown off. Little time was lost in launching the boats, and bringing them in succession to the gangway, which was lowered, and the ladies and children assisted into the largest boat, with such few shawls and wraps as could be hurriedly collected and thrown in, orders were given to " shove off," and having landed at the first convenient spot, to return with the boat at once. The next largest boat was hauled alongside, and the steerage passengers placed therein, life being of most consequence, luggage not allowed to be taken ; she then left. By this time we had drifted nearly a mile, and it became necessary to keep the vessel as near the shore as possible, hoping to drift into some bay> where she could be beached, the Captain not feeling inclined to risk crossing to the opposite side, fearing the vessel might sink in mid-channel. Lines were got out, and all the boats employed in towing ; we tried a little with one or two sails, but did not appear to make much way with them. The water, all this time kept gradually gaining, and the boats being fully occupied, it was not possible to save anything in the shape of cai'go ; however, some passengers and luggage were landed ; the ship drifting and not at all manageable. Several passengers were in the boats aiding in pulling, hardly any remaining on board. It now began to get dark, and I felt very anxious to getf a boat sent to Picton in order to telegraph to Wellington, but owing to the ship's boats being occupied none could be spared. At last a whaleboat came alongside, and after considerable delay, occasioned principally by the anxiety of some passengers to get away in her, a start was effected about 6.30 p.m. — I having become answerable for the payment for her services. Mr. Kebbell, the purser, by my direction, went in the boat, in order to forward the telegraphic message ; the charge of the mails I tradertook during his absence. The vessel was now nearly deserted, with the exception of the Captain, myself, and a few persons whom it was too dark to recognise, and the steward and assistants were all that now remained on board ; and solitary enough it was, the Captain's attention being entirely directed to the towing operation, with occasional reports as to the water gaining upon us ; of course I could not speak to him, and therefore wandered about the vessel, not feeling inclined to go below as the water still kept gaining. Anything more deplorable than the state of the vessel at this time it is difficult to imagine. Shortly afterwards, by the aid of the few persons that could be collected, the mails were got up, though the water had already reached the mailroom and wetted some of the bags. About 8 o'clock a small boat with two men came alongside, and as lights coxild be seen showing that we were at the entrance of some bay, afterwards' found to beßowden's Bay, I engaged these men to assist in landing the mails. Mr. Bowden shortly afterwards came up with his boat, followed by one belonging to the ship, in which was the Bishop of New Zealand ; all the mails were then taken ashore and landed in the first convenient spot, the boats again going off to the vessel. Sometime afterwards, [ namely about 9 o'clock, the steamer's bow came upon a rock where she stuck and could not be moved ; every one then left her, the Captain remaining on. board, as I customary, to the last. To return to the ' mails, it was found necessary at once to I remove them as they were not above high

water mark. A few ofythe saloon passengers, principally the younger portion, having collected together, boxes and bags were cheerfully shouldered by willing hands; and the whole /carried round the wet and slippery beach arid placed in safety under cover of Messrs. Bow--den's boat shed, together with a considerable number of packages of luggage, which came ashore with the mails ; this being accomplished, thie Sfessrs. Bowden made us some hot tea, a'- most welcome dish, which we had nearly finished, when the cry arose that the Taranaki was going down — she slid off at once into deep water with a most fearful noise, and so closes, for the present, the career of the Taranaki. I took note of the time when she first struck— exactly 4.40. • The time when she finally sunk was 10.40, as noted by several passengers, being exactly six hours ; during this time, by the aid of the tide and the boats towing her, we drifted about two and a half miles. Every soul, nearly 150 in. number, were landed without a single accident— without even a solitary ducking. I have not heard of a scratch. Several falls took place on the slippery beach, but no one received more than a slight bruise or two. Subsequently the Captain went round by boat to where the ladies and children were landed ; but they determined to remain where they were, and I think wisely for themselves, as Messrs. Bowden's house was crammed to excess. Between 7 and 8 on tho following morning, the arrival of the Airedale was announced, she having picked up the ladies and children and a large number of the passengers on her way up the Sound. No time was lost in shipping the mails, the remaining passengers and all luggage, and. .effects saved from the wreck, and the Airedale steamed away for Picton. I remained behind, and returned to Wellington in the Lady Bird. I beg to be understood as only intending, in this imperfect narrative, to give a rough sketch of what immediately fell under my own observation. I have purposely avoided individualising any one, as. most of the passengers were entire strangers to me, and, having determined to remain in the ship as long as possible, I had. few opportunities of noting the exertions of any one in particular. I can only say that the saloon .passengers generally exertedthemselves to the utmost, assisting to place the ladies and children in the boats, and allowing the steerage passengers to precede them in the next boat, aiding in' pulling the boats, landing luggage, &c, and doing all this wet and dirty work most cheerfully. The steward and his assistants were indefatigable in saving luggage, stores, and ship property, and afterwards, when on shore, striving to do all that could be done to make the passengers as comfortable as possible. Of the Captain, with whom I remained nearly the whole time, I can truly say that he conducted himself, throughout these trying circumstances with the utmost coolness—in fact, behaving as became one placed in the responsible position of having so many lives dependent upon him, and the charge of so large an amount of property. In conclusion, I cannot close this account without bringing under notice the truly hospitable treatment we received at the hands of the Messrs. Bowden and their good wives. Their house was freely placed at our disposal, relays of tea were made nearly all night, and good fires kept. No one could sleep, the house being crammed to excess. Every accommodation they had to offer was pressed upon us with such genuine warmth and good will that it increased the obligation fourfold, and will not be readily effaced from the minds of the recipients. Even after the departure of the Airedale a , considerable number of persons were left .behind, . who remained until taken off by the Lady Bird. Thanks is but a poor return for such hospitality, and I trust to see some more substantial acknowledgment. — I am, &c, William Allen.