WRECK OF THE S.S. “TARANAKI.”

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 133, 29 August 1868, Page 4

WRECK OF THE S.S. “TARANAKI.”

We condense the following additional particulars from the Press of Wednesday last:— “The Taranaki, comparatively a new vessel, having only arrived in the colony direct from her builders about two years and a half ago, was a screw steamer of 299 tons register, and 80-horse power, and a sister steamer to the s.s. Wellington, which belongs to the same Company. She has been commanded by her late captain ever since her arrival, and was considered one of the quickest and best passenger boats on the coast. Captain Francis has been regarded as a most careful commander, and was greatly respected by his employers and those who travelled with him. Much sympathy is felt for the Captain, and an address was presented to him by the passengers of the Taranaki before leaving Picton. Such an occurrence has been predicted to happen in the nighttime, it being the general rule for the steamers to arrive and leave Picton during that time. The cargo, which is said to be of the value of nearly £IOO,OOO, was principally for Nelson and Auckland, consisting of a large quantity of goods from Otago, and a large transhipment from the Panama steamer at Wellington. The cargo for Picton fortunately was small ; but the loss sustained by merchants and others in Nelson and Auckland must be very great. The following is a list of the cargo for Picton :—1 case glass, Order ; 1 qr.-cask brandy, 1 ditto wine, 2\ barrels apples, 1 pkge seeds, Beauchamp (insured) ; 1 box tobacco,Hoffmann; 1 case,Collie (insured) ; 1 case coffee, 1 ton flour, Kummer; 12 empty casks, Picton Gaol; 1 parcel, Hull. Among the cargo transhipped from the Panama steamer*, we hear of a parcel for Auckland containing about £3OO in sovereigns and a quantity of jewellery. The s.s. Lady Bird arrived here on Friday, at noon, from Wellington. She brought no further intelligence of the wreck beyond that she was lying on her keel, and that the top of her mast was about six feet below the surface. She brought the diver from Wellington, and left him at the scene of the wreck, while she came on to Picton. The Lady Bird left Picton in the afternoon, taking, the Captain, officers, and crew of theillfated vessel with her. Mr. Balfour and Capt. Johnson also returned to Wellington by her, and on her way down the Sound she took in some of tHe, deck cargo that had been saved.

The Lady Bird was expected in the Sound again on Monday last. The- last we heard of the wreck was that she was laying in' a slanting' position, hepig .in, 1,3 fathoms at the bow and 18 fathoms: at the stern. It is believed they will attempt to lift her.

A preliminary enquiry, into the cause ,pf of the .wreck:, ,was : held.at iPicfon. on the 20th | inst., - before Messrs. Duncan and Allen. J.F.’s, when Captain Francis deposed that, ad he was entering the Tory Channel on the preceding day at flood tide, the vessel took a sudden steer. The helm was put hard a-port, arid found it had no effect on her. He stopped, the engines and went full speed astern. The strength of the tide, and the way the vessel had, prevented

lier clearing the rocks. The vessel struck heavily about the engine room, and, dragging along the rocks where the tide was carrying her, the propeller was carried away soon after she struck-first. The tide carried her clear of the rocks into midchannel, and with the assistance ot the boats towed her into Worser’s Bay, where she gradually filled and sank in ten fathoms of water, at about a quarter to 11 o’clock. His Lordship the -Bishop of Lichfield and New Zealand, Mr. Nancarrow, (the Inspector of Steamers), and two other passengers gave evidence, after which the inquiry was adjourned to Wellington. A special .telegram, dated Wellington, August 25th, 5 p.m., says The Court of Inquiry assembled to-day, at the Hesident Magistrate’s Court, to enquire into the wreok of the s.s. Taranaki. An objection had been taken by Mr. Borlase, that the Act had not been complied with, inasmuch as Mr. Seed, who demanded the enquiry on behalf of the Customs, had not holden the usual investigation as directed by the statute, it having been held in Picton by the Collector of Customs there. Case withdrawn. In consequence of the informality caused by the application for magisterial enquiry not having been made by the Officer of Customs who first entertained the case in Marlborough, a Special Commission will be applied for from the Government to have an enquiry held under the Act. Thursday next will probably be the day for hearing.