MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT AT THE BULLER.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 13, 31 January 1865, Page 1 (Supplement)

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT AT THE BULLER.

HIS HONOUR THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THKEE MEN DROWNED.

It ia our most painful duty to record a very sad accident which occurred at the mouth of the Buller river on Saturday last, the 28th instant, by which his Honour J. P. Robinson, Esq., Superintendent of this Province, irith the chief mate of the steamer Wallaby, and two sailors, lost their lives. We mentioned in our issue of Thursday last, that the Superintendent had left town on a short visit to I the Grey and Buller rivers, with the intention of in- | specting the coal-fields in those localities. Bib Honour proceeded thither in the steamer Wallaby, and was, it appears, accompanied by his second son, Mr. Edward Robinson, Mr. Blackett, Provincial Engineer, Mr. Burnett, and Mr. Gully; Captain Walmßley was also a passenger on board the steamer. The party had visited the Okitiki gold-field, and, after calling at the Grey and taking in coals, proceeded to the mouth of the Buller river, where | the Superintendent was desirous of quitting the ! steamer and remaining for a few days, intending to return by the next trip homewards of the steamer Nelson. His Honour, therefore, accompanied by , his son, Mr. Burnett, and Mr. Gully, left the ! vessel in one of her boats, manned by the ' chief mate, and two sailors, and the sea being [ very calm at the time, not the slightest I apprehensions seem to have been entertained |on board the steamer as to their safety. ; But it pleased Him in whose hands are the issues of life and death, to ordain it otherwise, and within a very short time after the party had quitted the vessel, the fatal catastrophe occurred, which has cast such deep gloom over the community. The sad details may be gathered most satisfactorily from the evidence given at the inquest held upon the two bodies which have been recovered, and from the letter addressed to the Acting-Superintendent by Mr. Blackett and Captain Walmsley, acquainting that functionary with the melancholy event, and both these documents will be found below. The afflicting intelligence reached Nelson this morning by the Wallaby, which arrived in port at eleven o'clock, bringing with her the survivors of this dreadful tragedy. It would be vain to describe the deep gloom which cast itself over the community as the mournful tidings became known, and which evidenced itself in many ways during the day. The Union Jack was hoisted half mast-high at the Government Buildings, and at the Flag-staff; the vessels lying in harbour also displayed the same token of respect, and the minute bell at Christchurch tolled the death knell until sunset, whilst the many knots of individuals in the streets sadly and sorrowfully discussing the details of the catastrophe, showed how wide and deep sympathy had been awakened by the event. It is scarcely necessary to add that the preparations for the fite in honour of the anniversary of the- settlement of the province were immediately countermanded, and the circular which appears in tibia extra was issued by the Provincial Secretary in reforem| to the event. Mr. Robinson has left a widow with a family of ten children to lament his untimely loss, and we need hardly state that the deepest sympathy is felt for them by all members of the community. He was a man of estimable character, and deservedly much respected in private life. We may mention as another melancholy fact in connection with this sad affair, that M'Culloch, who was amongst those lost on the occasion, was only married last Christmas.

On board the Steamer Wallaby, < Blind Bay, January 31, 1865. ' Sib — It is with very painful feelings we have to , report to your Honour the distressing accident which j occurred on Saturday, the 28th instant, when lying ' off the Buller river. ■ About half-past four o'clock on the afternoon of , the 28th instant, on the Wallaby arriving off the ■ harbour of the Buller, from the Grey river; the [ master ascended the rigging for the purpose of ex- . amining the bar. Having satisfied himself that there i was no apparent danger (the bar being perfectly i smooth), he ordered the life-boat to be lowered, and ' his Honour the late Superintendent, his Bon, Messrs. Burnett, Gully, and M'Culloch, four seamen, and , the chief officer, with the luggage of the first-named five persons, left the vessel, when, after crossing the : first roller- wave on the bar, apparently in safety, as the boat did not appear to rise over the second, the chief engineer, who was observing the progress of the boat, ascended the rigging, and immediately called to the master to come and ace, as there seemed to him to be something wrong. Immediately the vessel was put to full speed, and another boat lowered and pulled towards the bar, where was found the lifeboat full of water, and some of the party holding on by the sides, and others inside of her. On her returning to the vessel in tow of the second boat, we deeply regret to say that Mr. Robinßon, John M'Culloch, the first officer (Andrew Fowler), and one seaman (Joseph Cooke), had met with a watery grave ; and the survivors were in so weak a state, that, but for the prompt assistance rendered by the second boat, not one would have been saved. On the Wallaby entering the Buller two hours afterwards, and the distressing circumstances being made known, parties immediately started along the beach to endeavour to discover any of the bodies, and not until the following morning were there any found, when two were perceived on the sands, those of the chief mate and John M'Culloch. We summoned a jury, and held an inquest on the bodies the same evening. Coffins were made, the Funeral Service read, and the bodies decently interred yesterday morning. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." We also beg to state that a messenger on horseback was despatched fifteen miles from the Buller, along the beach, with a hope that the other bodies would be found ; and also parties on foot, after two tides receding ; but we regret to say without success. Instructions were left with the constable at the Buller to send out every day for the next week, in the hope of finding the missing bodies, and should ' they be discovered, to make a report by the first steamer to Nelson. We have, &c. B. Walmsley, J.P. J. Blackeot, J.P. His Honour John Waiais Babnicoat, Esq., Acting-Superintendent, Nelson. THE INQUEST. Proceedings of a Court of Inquest, summoned by Benjamin Walmsley and John Blaokett, Esqrs., Justices of the Peace for New Zealand, touching the death of John M'Culloch and Andrew Fowler, at the Buller river, West Coast, Province of Nelson, New Zealand, this 29th day of January, 1865. The following were sworn in as jurymen : — Joseph Ferguson, Andrew Preston, Joseph Williams, William Beattie, John Martin, Thomas King, Thomas Mackenzie, Robert Saunders, Frank Crossling, William Murrells, and Isaac Waylan. Of the above, John Martin was chosen foreman of the jury. The jury then proceeded to view the bodies, and, having returned, the following depositions were taken : — Joseph Lucas Hodges, being sworn, said : lam district constable at Westport, and, on account of information I received last evening from Mr. Martin, relative to an accident which had occurred at the mouth of the Buller river, I proceeded half-way to the Orawiti river in search of bodies supposed to have been drowned, but I found nothing. This morning I got up at three o'clock, and searched on the beach, from the upper flagpole, and found nothing round the point. I then proceeded towards ■ the Orawiti, following a man on horseback who was ' also in search, of the bodies. I Baw him stop and return, and he informed me he had found a body, ! and believed it to be that of John M'Culloch. On proceeding to see this body, I found another, which I identified as that of the mate of the steamer Wallaby, by name Andrew Fowler. I also found a tent, and covered it over the body. I then proceeded to the body found by Charles Wootton, the horseman, and have since identified it as that of John M'Culloch. I assisted in bringing the bodies to Westport. Thomas Whitwell, being sworn, said : lam master of the steamer Wallaby. Proceeding from the River Grey and Nelson, I had occasion to bind some passengers at the Buller, and there not being sufficient water for the steamer to get across the bar, after examining it as closely as I could, I decided on sending the boat in with the passengers, thinking it {terfectly safe bo to do. I had the ship's life-boat owered, and a crew of four men with the chief

officer in charge were put into her. They proceeded towards the bar, and after being gone some twenty minutes, during which time the vessel had drifted some considerable distance off the bar, and not being able to see the boat distinctly, the chief engineer, who was up in the rigging, called my attention to look at her. I then saw something floating from her and I concluded that some mishap had occurred. I put the vessel at full speed and headed her towards the bar, at the same time getting the other boat ready for lowering. When as near as it was B&fe to go I Baw the life-boat was swumped and the people clinging to her. I sent the second boat to their assistance with three men in her. They succeeded in reaching her and towing her off to the steamer. I then found that some of the people were missing, and on inquiry I found that four were missing out of the whole number which had left the ship. The names of the passengers who had embarked were, Mr. Robinson, the Superintendent of Nelson, and his son, Mr. M'Culloch, Mr. Gully, and Mr. Burnett. Of these I found the Superintendent and Mr. M'Culloch missing, also the chief officer, Andrew Fowler, and a seaman named Joseph Cooke. I took the survivors on board, and sent the boat in search amongst a number of articles floating about. I also steamed tho vessel in amongst them, but could find none of the missing men. I then steamed Blowly down in the direction of the current with the boat pulling about to examine every object we saw. I then steamed in shore in the direction in which I supposed the bodies would float with the wind. Finding nothing, I then came into the Buller and anchored, and sent word on shore of the accident. I searched for the bodies on the beach early this morning. I found nothing myself, but saw two bodies which had already been discovered by Mr. Hodges and two other persons. I have since identified one of those bodies, as that of Andrew Fowler, late chief officer of the Wallaby. By the Foreman : The life boat will carry about two tons. She will carry about fifteen persons in all, without cargo, safely. She is fitted with cork under the thwarts. In stating that I steamed in as far as it was safe to go, I referred to the draught of water, and not to the break on the bar. I should imagine that there would be about four or five feet of water on the bar. I was satisfied as to the ability of my first mate to steer a boat in broken water, or I should not have sent him. It is usual to land passengers by means of a boat, if the bar be smooth enough to allow it. I havo never landed passengers in this way, in the Buller, before ; but I have done so on the Okitiki and at the Wairau ; at the latter, many times. I should have had to wait for two hours before I could cross the bar with the Bteamer. If a passenger objected to bo landed in a boat, I could not oblige him to go. None of tho passengers objected to be landed in the boat. The mate was steering the boat when he left the ship's side ; he steered with a rudder. I considered that, under the circumstances, it was safe to Bteer the boat with a rudder, but it is not so safe to steer a boat with a rudder through a surf as it is with a steer-oar. The mato had been about three months with me, and came down here as master of her (the Wallaby), from Sydney. I cannot say whether he had had much experience in surf boats before he joined the Wallaby with me. I considered he was the most competent hand on board. None of the I passengers applied to be landed in a boat, and, as far as I knew, they were all agreeable to be landed in the boat. I never saw the flag hoisted on the flagstaff on shore, nor did I see any one on the beach beckoning to the boat not to take tho bar. Had I seen the flag I should not have known what it meant. I have no means of communicating with the shore in case of any accident. The Wallaby draws about 6 feet 6 inches of water. I should require a foot more than that to come in safely. We did touch several times as we came in. The tide was then first quarter flood. I consider that a boat could have got out quite safely yesterday. By the Coeoneb, I have been commander of steamers on the New Zealand coast constantly since 1857. A similar occurrence has never occurred with me before. By a juror: I consider that it would be a great security to life and property to have a set of signals, and a life-boat and crew, established at the Buller. Alexander Brown, being sworn, said : I am chief engineer of the Wallaby. I was on deck yesterday when the boat with passengers left the side. I saw her proceeding towards the bar of the Buller. I took particular notice how it got over the bar, I saw the boat rise upon one sea, and then she seemed to fall down. I then saw an oar appear to project very high up. I then thought all was not right. I went aloft and I could see the boat lying broadside to the sea, and there seemed to be people about it just between two breakers. I called the captain's attention to it. He came up, and immediately told me to go full speed ahead. I went below and saw no more till we came inside the river. I proceeded this morning early, by request of Mr. Blackett, with some hands to assist in bringing in some bodies which had been found, and assisted to bring them in. The first body I saw was that of our chief officer, Mr. Fowler. I could not identify the other, he being a stranger to me. I consider that the bar was perfectly safe to land passengers over when the boat left the vessel. I should not have objected in the least to have gone in the boat. I have seen boats I with passengers cross the bars of other rivers in perfect safety, the Wairau for example, and the Oki- , tiki, in similar weather to that of yesterday. I con- ■ sidered the bar to be perfectly safe because there was no break on it at the time we were preparing to land the passengers. As the boat neared the bar the surf appeared to increase, which made me take more particular notice than before. I did not hear any passenger object to be landed in the boat. I consider the boat a proper one for the purpose of landing passengers. I think the steamer was about half-a-mile from the boat when I saw the oar stuck up. The steamer could not safely have been taken nearer to the bar than she was when the boat left her. The steamer could have been kept near the position at which the boat left her, by Bteaming, but I cannot say whether, had she been bo, it would have been the means of saving more lives. James Burnett, being sworn, said : I am a surveyor and reside in Nelson. I was a passenger on board the Wallaby from the Grey to the Buller river. ' When the boat was lowered alongside the steamer

yesterday, I went on board along with the other passengers for the purpose of being landed at the Buller. At that time the bar seemed pretty smooth, but shortly after leaving the Bide of the vessel the sea increased, and some one observed that it was rather rough to land in a boat. The mate said "Oh the landing is nothing, the coming back will be the worst." One of the sailors — Cooke I think it wa9 — observed "If she will not ride over such a sea as this she ought to be burnt." Another of the sailors observed that it would be better to land to the lee of the north spit, than to cross the bar. By this time a big unbroken sea rolled under us and she seemed to ride well over it. I looked back and saw another sea coming up which appeared likely to break — it struck us slightly on the quarter, and the boat at once capsized. The next thing I observed was that my feet were touching the bottom and I was completely under water, I then rose and my Head touched one of the thwarts of the boat, I groped about to get to the side and after two or three attempts I managed to get my head above water and seized hold of the side of the boat, and almost immediately after she righted; after that, she continued to roll over several times, being struck by seas each time, when I was either washed off or washed under the boat. I reached it again by Bfrimming. The first few times the boat rolled over, the Superintendent (Mr. Robinson) was alongside of me. I was then washed off by a very heavy sea, and found myself some yards from the boat, and when I got back to it I fancied that there were not so many people clinging to it. I then climbed up, and got on the keel of the boat, and, as there seemed to be a lull, we contrived to balance her for some time, and she kept in the same position, although some seas rolled over her. She righted again soon, and I managed to get inside along with some others, and some were clinging to the sides and bow. We managed, with little difficulty, to keep her in a right position, as we were drifting outside the bar with the fresh water. I then saw a boat let down from the side of the steamer, and pulled towards us. When it reached us, some of us got into it, and I and another man remained in the lifeboat. We were then towed to the side of the steamer, and we got on board. The names of the passengers who embarked in the boat were — Mr. Robinson (the Superintendent) and his Bon, John M'Culloch, Mr. Gully, and myself. Of this number, the Superintendent and John M'Cullock were missing when we got on board. By the Cobonee : I think very prompt assistance waß given to us from the Bteamer. The remark made about the roughness of the sea was made in the boat, after leaving the vessel ; and after the sea became rougher I did think it was unsafe to proceed then, but it was too late to return. I did not hear any one propose to return to the ship. The mate seemed to have no fear about going in, and was perfectly cool. I have seen the body of John M'Culloch since it was found on the beach. John Gully, being sworn, said : I am a draughtsman, and reside in Nelson, and was a passenger by the steamer Wallaby from the Grey to the Buller. I left the ship in the ship's boat, with nine others, passengers and crew, and proceeded to the Buller mouth. When on the bar a sea capsized the boat, and after rolling about sometime — about five or ten minutes — during which time we were sometimes clinging to the boat and sometimes washed off it, the boat gradually drifted into smoother water, when I saw the steamer coming to our assistance very fast, and the rapidity with which Captain Whitwell sent a boat to our assistance Bayed the lives of those who were left in the boat, as in a few minutes more it appeared that we should be again amongst the breakers. The jury having consulted together for short time, agreed upon the following verdict : — " We, the undersigned jurors, do hereby find that Andrew Fowler and John M'Culloch were accidentally drowned in attempting to cross the Buller bar into the river by a boat, and we recommend that, to prevent similar accidents, a code of signals and a whale boat be established here ; at the same time we express our opinion that no blame can be attached to the master of the steamer, or to any one else concerned."