WRECK OF THE CHRISTIANA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1665, 18 April 1866, Page 2

WRECK OF THE CHRISTIANA.

(From the Times.) London, Jan, 18. Tho Christiana, an American vessel of 800 tona, whioh sot; awl on tho lsi of Dcccmbor, from London, bound for New York, Captain Josoph Henry Hammond oommandor, bdeamo a wreck on tho 20th of Dooombor, about midway botween London and New York, • Sho had previously lost all bor sails in a galo which commenced on tho 3rd of Dcccmbor, off tho Islo of Wight. Such sails as could bo repaired wore replaced in about ton days, and all went on well with a fair wind till about 2 o'clock p.m, on tho 10th of Docoinbor, when a hurrieatio commoncod, which lasted fivo .clays. About 12,30 p.m. o-j tho 20th Dooombor, tho storm raged with fearful violonco. Tho skylight of the- cabin was first knocked in by the falling of one of the spars. In about ten minutes after tho mainmast Jell, breaking tho bulwarks and for a moment paralyzing all on board. Soon after tho fall of tho mainmast tho forotopmast fell, and in a few minutes moro tho inizentopmast, In tho meantimo, the sails were torn to shreds. At break of day, a spar foil, whioh broko tho stoward's log. Ho was trying at tho timo to cover tho hole with canvas, caused by tho fallen skylight, Tho carpenter and one of the sailors wero washed overboard and lost by the breaking of the bowsprit. A rope was thrown to try and save them, butlin vain. The boat on the veranda was torn from its fastenings and blown overboard. The boat on tho port side got a hole knocked in its side, and that on tho forecastle was blown overboard and lost. The lifeboat on the starboard side was only a little injured. It was afterwards repaired. Both the spare spars got from their fastenings, and rolled about the deck, breaking the bulwarks on each side. The bowsprit was hanging by chains and beating with dostruotivo violonco against tho bottom of the ship, all on board ex. pecting it to knock a hole m its bottom. This painful state of suspense lasted several hours, every one fearing that the next moment might bo the last. At length a heavy sea dashed over the ship and tore away the bowsprit from the chains. The ship was now a helpless wreck. All the officers ana crew were obliged to sleep in the veranda, the otherparts of the interior of the ship being flooded with water or in ruins. Quantities of provisions had got destroyed or damaged. Several casks of water were lost, and it was found necessary to put every one on short allowance. The cook had got wounded and disabled. On tho 26th of December the Catherine Boyd, an American vessel, came in sight; spoke with the Christiana, and promised to wait till the sea moderated, and take all hands off her. She was in sight next morning, but towards night was lost sight of and seen no more. An anxious look out was kept from then till January the 7th, but no sign of another sail appeared until 9 o'clock p.m. when the first mate shouted the longhoped for intelligence that the light of a ship was to be seen to windward. Rockets were sent up, and a blue light burnt on Christiana, and in a short time the gratifying sight of a reply was observed from the strange vessel. At daybreak on Bth December, the flag of distress was hoisted, and the signals, "Send me a boat," hung out. Soon after eight o'clock a lifeboat came alongside the Christiana, which bore the name of the Varuna, a very fine vessel belonging to Smith, Fleming and Co., 1350 tons, Captain Shepherd commander. At this time it blew a gale of wind, and the sea rolled heavily; but Mrs. Cross, of Manchester, and her three daughters; Mrs. Nelson, of Liverpool, and the wounded steward, were successfully lowered over the side of the boat and got safely away. It was eleven o'clock before the lifeboat reached the Christiana on its second journey, and the swell of the sea had become so great that it was found impossible to get the boat alongside. It became necessary, therefore, that in order to get off the Christiana, those on board should jump overboard with the lifebuoys. Captain Hammond went first, then Mr. Nelson, of Liverpool, and in that way all were got safely away by 4 o'clock p.m. The gallant little boat made four journeys altogether, the swell of the sea being constantly on the increase. It would have been impossible, in fact, for the boat to have made another journey, for no sooner had the last man got out of it than a heavy sea dashed it to pieces against the side of the ship. It was one of Clifford's patent. The saving of the crew and passengers of the Christiana was ono of the noblest acts of heroism ever seen upon the seas; and, to the honour of the brave fellows who so generously risked their own lives for the salvation of others, it should be stated that the boat was commanded on its first and second journeys by Mr. Barry Eatsey, the first mate of the Varuna. On its third journey by Mr. Smith, third mate, and on its fourth journey by Mr. William Mackenzie, second mate. The following seamen manned it on its first three journeys, viz.: Adamson, Johnson, Trevellick, Lloyd, M'lntyre, and Hickson; and the following on its fourth: Everett, Atkinson, Brown, Eyan, and two others, whose names have not been ascertained. As soon as they were brought on board the Varuna, every one of those saved from the Christiana received the utmost kindness and attention, every one vieing with Captain Shepherd in trying to make them comfortable. All the officers of the ship, with Mr. William Burn, chio: steward, and Mr. Edward Burn, second' steward, Mr. Phillips, planter, : from Assam, India, Mid the Eev. Mr. Kincaide, of the American Baptist Mission, in Burmah, threw open the whole of their wardrobes for the comfort of the men, while Mrs. Eincade and her daughter, Mrs. Cowie, did the same for the wotnon. Captain Shepherd presenting them with some linen to make under clothing, Thesame kindness which was shown in regard to clothing was also observed in bedding and sleeping accommodation, and the most complete comfort was secured. The Varuna havingj ust come off ti long voyage—having sailed from Calcutta on Sept. 1, and having been 30 days longer on the passago than was anticipated,—provisions ran short, and inconsequence of the addition of the personsfromthe Christiana, the crew were obliged to be put upon a shorter allowance of meat than usual. Nevertheless, their distressed messmates were received with the utmost cordiality by the brave men of the Varuna. Notwithstanding the eitra duties thrown upon them, the stewards from the first were incessant, in their kind attention to the wants of their unfortunate visitors. The Varuna was not an hour too soon on its mission of mercy, for on the 10th of January a hiaty gale set in, which must have sunt the Christiana. Sunday! January 14, was observed as a day of thanksgiving, the Rev. Mr. Kincaide officiating, the passengers and part of the crews of both slrps being present. The motto on the crest of the Varuna to be seen in various parts of the ship is "Let the deed show. How bravely the men acted up to it, the deed of noble daring in saving the crew and passengers from the wreck of the Christiana will abundantly show. Though all luggage was lost, every life was saved without an accident.

The Keera, 1.1, left Hokitika at 3 p.m. on the sthinst., bound to Milford Sound, but under orders to search the coast thoroughly on her way for a party of men who were seen by the -Barwon 8.5,, when passing by, and who it was' supposed were shipwrecked an distressed mariners. At 2 a.m. on the 6th, she was abreast of Bruce Bay, and at 11a.m. arrived at Jackson's Bay, whore the anchor was let go and a boat dispatched on shore. Here, to their astonishment, they fell in with the parties to whose relief they had been dispatched, and who proved to be diggers out prospecting, and not shipwrecked seamen. However, as two of the number desired to return to IJokitika, they wore at once conveyed on board, and at midnight the Keera up anchor and steamed out of f. B ,. Bi 7 with the intention of proceeding to Milford Sound, and thus fulfil the tarns of her contract. At the time of her departure the weather was fine, with light breeze from w 8 ' W "' hm ? I'ghtning in the is. VV. gave unmistakeable warning of an approaching gale. At 2 a,m. it bur ß t suddenly upon her from the S.W., increasing considerably as Cascade Point was opened upon, and at 6 a.m., it it was found that little head-way had been made since the lelt Jackson's, and also that there was no apueranceofachange,it was, after mature cinsideration, deemed advisable to bear up for Bruce Bay, and abandon any further proseoution of the expedition, which certainly terminated at Milford Sound. The helm was accordingly put up, and the Keera ran before the gale, making eicellorit weather of it. . At 10 a.m. however, the feed-pipe fouled, which compelled her to blow off steam and trust to canvas alone, and although the mishap delayed her to a certain extent, Bruce : Bay was reached by 3.30 p.m! The damage to her feedpipe having been repaired, she, at 9 am. on the Bth, left with about thirty passengers, and at 6.30" p.m. anchored off llokitika, and at next tide timo crossed the bar safely. The Keera reports that, on the 3rd instant, the Amherst, whaler, eix months, out from Sydney and not a barrel of oil in, left Jackson's Bay for Milford Sound. Three : of her boats were away bay whaling, one of them being at Big Bay, the other two at Milford Sound. On the same day that the Amhorst left Jackson's Bay, the Maid of Erin, schooner, arrived from Dunedin. After discharging twenty-five tons of cargo and a score of sheep, and also lauding about fifteen; passengers, she sailed for Bruce Bay and Greymouth. It is stated she ran into Bruce Bay, and after shipping some, twenty-lire passengers, proceeded to her final port of destination.— West Coast Times, By tho courtesy of Captain Tumbulf,we have been placed in possession of the following valuable information respecting the far south. Mr. A. 11. Williamson, the gentleman from whom it is dorived, has beuu fur many months exploring and prospecting in the Bruce and Jackson's. Bay districts; his report therefore of,'the different mors enumerated istaken from actual observation, and may be implicitly relied on. The line of coast

I which ho dosoribes extends from Jackson's Eivor to Martin's Bay. Jackson's Rivor, which joins the sea fivo milos to tho north of Jackson's or TiaiTawat Head, has a splendid entrance. At high water of ordinary spring tides thero is often from 12 to U foot of water on the bar, and Mr. Williamson says that this harbour is, without excoption, iho bost ho has mot with on tho coast. From Jaokson's Bay south, i,tho first rivor arrived at, at all navigabla for vessels of small draught, is the' Cascade', whioh is situated about four ratios south of Cascade Point. Vossols ontoring will find tho doopost channol running closo under tho South point. Our informant, who has orossod it ton times on rafts, always closely observed the bar and sot of tho curront, and although at times tlioro aro two channels, tho one to the south is invariably tho best and deopost. By keeping the shoro aboard, a small steamer of light draught could navigate the rivor ten or twelve miles inland. Four or five miles south of Cascade Rivor is Barn Rivor, which nothing can enter larger than an ordinary boat. Afterrunning thecoastdown for eight or ton miles, ' George River is reached. Its mouth is very nearly abreast of the southernmost Seal Rooks, and has a very long narrow entrance, out of which a strong current is always setting. No vessol drawing over three or four foot could enter. Tho next break in the coast is the Awarua or Big Bay. This partakes more of the character of an inlet, and it is exceedingly deep. From the North Point along tongue of land runs out to seaward, from the extreme end of which a reef of rocks runs out quite half a mile further.. On this tho sea constantly breaks; in bad weather, vory heavily indeed. Two rivers empty themselves into Big Bay, but neither are safe to enter by anything save a whaleboat well manned. Martin's Bay is next wived at, whioh Mr. Williamson imagines is well known, as he does not think it necessary to describe it.—TTest Coast Times.

Catjiioit to Shiphabmbs.—We (Southern Gross) have to call the attention of the authorities to the fact that one of the piles in the Manukau, which was a leading mark of the channel opposite the Whau blockhouse, has been carried away, and that in consequence two steamers have grounded on the bank thero lately. The Phosbe got aground owing to the hading mark being away, and the Wanganul stuck on' the bank on Wednesday night, the 4th April, at the top of flood tide, and did not get off until the following morning. If sho had not got off then shejmust have remained there for nine days, until the next spring tides floated her off. We are sure attention has only to be called to this to have a leading mark set up again. Great credit is due to Mr. William Davis, who, when the steamer grounded, chartered the Bluenose, at his own expense, and landed the troops and baggage at Onehunga on Wednesday night. The Teip op the Sobchats io Batavia aitd Back.—On this topic the Fort Denism Times remarks:—"The successful opening up of the new mail route by the Queensland Government contract steamer Souchays is an event of sufficient importance to demand a more detailed notice than we were able to give in our last issue. We may expect to receive here on or about the 17th of each month news that loft England on the 12th of the preceding month—that is to say, a fortnight later, than the mail that via Galle arrives at Melbourne mi the 12th, only five days earlier than the dayon which tho mail via Batavia is due in Port Denison. Thus when tho electric telegraph is completed as far as Bowen, Queensland will once a month be placed at the head of the chain of _ communication, instead of the ignoble position at the tail which she has hitherto occupied. Captain Blick expects on his next trip to bring with him about twenty saloon passengers, principally invalided officers quartered in Batavia, who cannot get sufficiently long leave of absence to enable them to visit Europe, and therefore come to Australia in search of health. A tolerable influx of such visitors would be of mutual advantage. Batavia is the principal town in Java, and the metropolis of the whole of Dutch India. It is situated in lat. 8° S., long. 105° E,, at the mouth of the river Jucatra. The harbour is considered one of the safest and most commodious in the world. The native population of Java consists of about 11,000 souls, and of the whole Dutch possesions in India, which are governed from Batavia, about 25,000,000. To keep this large population under control the Dutch employ an army of 8080 European and 12,000 native troops, and a considerable fleet. Somo of the dependencies are managed by the native rajahs, under the supreme control of the Governor of Batavia. The total revenue is about £6,800,000, and the expenditure about £4,000,000. The island of Java is about 700.miles long by 100 miles wide, and is separated from Sumatra by the Straits of Sunda. There are about 12,000 Europeans in the islands, of whom about 10,000 are Dutch. _ As to the question of expense (says the Times, in a subsequent issue), we would venture to suggest to the Government that if the mail steamer ran merely between Port Denison and Batavia, and the mails were distributed by the coasting steamers, upwards of 2000 miles might be saved. We have reason to believe that in a very short space of time coal as good as tho English Newcastle coal will be obtainable near Bowen,"