MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK.

New Zealander, Volume XIII, Issue 1191, 16 September 1857, Page 3

MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK.

LOSS OF THE “DUNBAR.” WITH ALL ON BOARD. [From the “ Empire,” August 22.] On the arrival of the steamer Grafton, yesterday morning, from the Clarence River, Captain Wiseman reported that portions of a wreck were floating about between and outside the Heads, and almost simultaneously rumours reached town of dead bodies having been washed ashore in Middle Harbour. Considerable anxiety began to manifest itself among persons commercially connected, and in the course of the day, as rumours of the fearful reality assumed a consistency, a feeling of consternation took possession of the public mind. At an early hour of the day, a gentleman from this office proceeded to Watson’s Bay, and the following particulars are the result of his observation and enquiry. The articles seen consisted principally of beds, bundles of clothing, and other things which at once led to the supposition that the ill-fated vessel was an emigrant ship. The Washington, steamer, got under weigh and went down the harbour in search, as soon as the intelligence had been conveyed to Captain Williamson, and on her way she passed several pieces of wreck and bundles, apparently of wearing apparel, drifting between Chowder Bay and Middle Head. A heavy easterly sea was breaking completely across the Heads, and as a body of persons was seen at the Gap, it was at first imagined that the ship was ashore under that locality, and lhal some chance of saving human life existed. The Washington accordingly steamed into Watson’s Bay, where Mr. Crook, Mr. McVeigh, ami others landed. On reaching the Gap, a horrible scene presented itself: the sea was rolling in, mountains high, dashing on the rocks fragments of wreck, large and small, and bodies of men, women, and children, nearly all in a state of nudity, by which it may be inferred that the catastrophe occurred when the passengers were in their beds. It was at first conjectured that the lost ship had immigrants on hoard, as quantities of white pine hoards, having all the resemblance of emigrant fittings were strewd along the rocks, from the Gap to the bight, on the north side of the South Head. It also seemed probable that the ship struck at the latter place, as little or no signs of a wreck were visible any further to the southward, and here were floating several pieces of spars and rigging. A considerable portion of the wreck had been washed into crevices in the rocks, much of which remained high and dry. Some men by the aid of a rope, went down the cliff, amt examined the articles, with the hope of finding out something to identify the vessel.

Upward* of twenty human bodies were counted under the Gap—the waves dashing them against the rocks and taking them hack to their recoil. Pieces of masts and spars, the half of a studdingsail boom, and part of the ship’s flooring, with innumerable torn pieces of cotton and woollen goods, were also being dashed to shore by the violence of the sea, within a short distance from the (south Head. The schooner Ann and Jane came inside the Heads this morning, and anchored with loss of sails, but the Washington removed her from her perilous position. jThe Captain of the Ann and Jane reported several pieces of wreck, bedding, and clothing drifting up Middle Harbour, and pieces of flannel and other articles of that description came in the hawse holes with her chain, when getting under weigh to be taken in tow by the steamer. Part of a stripped cotton shirt, and a piece of a figured muslin dress were taking from the Washington’s cable. Captain Jenkins found a lady’s glove, and a gentleman’s light coat, and the men in searching about the rocks discovered several articles, but nothing which could in any way lead to identification. Some beer casks branded “ Tooth,’’ and a piano case were seen. One man stated that he saw a scroll figurehead, and noticed that tome of the bolts, in the timbers of the ship were copper. Nothing more satisfactory could be learned from the visit of our reporter to the South Head. Mr. Crawford, a gentleman residing at Narrabin, about eight miles from Middle Hatbour, informed us last evening that about half-past i) yesterday morning two bodies (males) were washed on shore at Hillery’s Spit: one had his shirt and drawers on, and was of a slight built frame, apparently 3D years of age; the other was a tall, fine built man, dressed in a dark brown pea coat, ami black trousers, with neither boots or stockings, also about 30 years old. Another body floated up without a head, also a male, and another man was washed up a small creek a short distance from Hillery’s Spit. Mr. Crawford also saw three red and white bulls, one all white under the belly, in the same locality. Part of the hull has drifted into Middle Harbour, and a small board with " London.” in white letters on a black ground, supposed to belong to a boat, was seen floating about ; also a piece of board or case with the name "Peek” upon it. Several saddles, shoemaker’s lasts, canoles, reels of cotton, Manila hats, tablecloths, and sundry articles of merchandise, had also been washed up Middle Harbour. About seven o'clock Mr. Pockley, (be superintendent of pilots, called upon us with information which leaves no room to doubt the identity of the ill-fated vessel. Mr. Pockley had just returned from Middle Harbour where a mail-bag had been washed on shore bearing the inscription, ” No. 2, per Dunbar, Plymouth, May 2!),” also a cask of tripe had been recovered, marked ■■ Ship’s stoics Hunt ar.” In addition to this evidence, in itself so conclusive, a large part of the hull, teak-built, and answering to the description of the Dunbar, had been washed on shore. The facts, then, in proof that the wrecked ship is the Dunbar are these: a mail-bag and stores belonging to the Dunbar have been washed on shore: articles bearing the names << Mylne" and '• Peek,” who were passengers on the Dunbar, have been washed on shore ; the carcases of bulls—animals which the Dunbar was bringing out—have been washed on shore; the bottom of a teak-built hull, the Dunbar being a teakbuilt ship, has been washed on shore.

So far as we have heard, not one of the mangled bodies seen at the South Head has been recovered. At Middle Harbour, when Mr. Pockley left, twelve bodies had come to land, but none of them had been recognised. One was clothed in military dress, with a crest, and the letters “ W. 0. W." on the buttons. The Dunbar was an established trader to this port: and Captain Green, her commander, esteemed as an experienced and excellent seaman, and a gentleman of character. It is conjectured that the vessel struck at a very early hour yesterday morning. A little after midnight, Mr. Siddons, the keeper of the lighthouse, was out attending to his duties when his dog rushed away from him to the edge of the cliff, and stood barking at the sea fur a considerable time, a thing he never did before. The night was gloomy and tempestuous. Mr. Siddons is of opinion that the Dunbar and her unhappy crew and passengers, were then yielding to the elements. With the high sea rolling at the time, it is said she could not have field together in her dreadful position more than a few minutes. The following is a list of passengers so far as the names can lie ascertained Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Peck, Mr. and Mrs. A, Meyer and six children, Miss J. Wake, Mr. and Mrs. Waller and six children, Miss S. Kothergill, Miss E. King, Mr. C. Troughton, Mr. and Mrs. Mylne, Misses A. and E. Mylne, Misses Hunt, Mr. A. D. James, Mr. F. Tindal, Mr. C. Davidson, Mr. and Mrs, Cuhnac, Mis. Egan, Mr. Simmons, and Mr. Hyacinth M’Quoid. Mr. Peek was an old and respected resident of Sydney. Mr. and Mrs, Waller and six children were related to Mr. J. GWaller of Wynyard-square, the two gentlemen being brothers. Mr. and Mrs. Mylne and family were old colonists. Mr. Adrian De Voting James was the only son of Mr. H. Kerrison James (Bishop’s Secretary); he went to England in the Herefordshire, fur the purpose of completing his studies for the church ; Mis* Egan was the wife of Daniel Egan, Esq., M.P., of this city. Mr. Isaac Simmons was the son of a well known colonist who had just attained his majority, and came out to Sydney to take possession of his property. Among the articles of personal apparel washed ashore, a lady’s night dress was marked ** M. A. Dobell, and a handkerchief was marked “ Mrs. Howell, 105(5. ’

And tills is all that U Known of the terrible casualty which has just occurred at our very doorsRESCUE OE ONE OF THE SEAMEN. (From the "Empire,” August £4.) The miraculous rescue of one of the seaman of the ill-fated Dunbar, the sole survivor from the wreck, has been the means of removing a portion of the mystery which previously shrouded this awful tragedy. As soon as it became known in Sydney that a man had been saved, we directed inquiries to be made of tbe circumstances. It appeared that in course of the forenoon of Saturday, a boy on the rocks near the Gap saw a man on a ledge of rock below making signals by waving some object. He immediately ran for assistance, which was quickly on the spot. Ropes were obtained, and a lad named Antonio Williska, a native of Iceland, volunlered to be let down. On being lowered some distance, however, he became frightened, and desired to be drawn up. This was done ; but after an interval of some time, he recovered courage, and was again lowered. This time he got safely down. The man was then hauled up, and on reaching the top, was immediately attended by Inspector Mortimer, in charge of the police, and by Sergeant Mealy. He staled his name to be James Johnson, and that he belonged to the wrecked vessel. Some spirits were given him, and he was enabled to walk with slight assistance to the Marine Hotel, where he was placed under the care of Dr. West. Dr. Duigan was also subsequently in attendance. Johnson was immediately placed in bed, and of course carefully attended; but it is remarkable that though he had been exposed for forty-six or forty-seven hours without food,yet he was but little exhausted. He had received very little injury, and in a few hours appeared to have almost entirely recovered. He is a strong, hearty looking man, between twenty and thirty years of age, and is, we believe, a native of Drogheda, in Ireland. The courageous lad who was lowered to the assistance of the seaman, was of course soon brought up after the rescue of the man; and in rervaid for his exertions a subscriptions was at

once got up mnorrgst the persons present, and the lad was sent home with fresh clothing and some £lO or £ll in his pocket. . Naturally enough great interest w r as awakened in the mind of every one to hear the seaman’s account of the catastrophe and his own miraculous escape. A great number of statements were current in a very short time, amongst which was one to the effect that there were two other survivors yet on the rocks. This unfortunately was without foundation. A great many versions were also given of Johnson’s story by the different persons who were admitted to see him. The man's statements would naturally be a little confused at first ; but he adhered substantially to the main facts. From several gentlemen who conversed with him we have received reports of his statement. A gentleman from this establishment yesterday, however, had half an hour's private conversation with him. He was then quite recovered, and in the complete possession of his faculties. The following is his story, nearly in his own words:—“We were coming in before the wind with close-reefed topsails, when the mate cried out, ‘broken water a-head—breakers a-head.’ The capfain then gave the order, * Port your helm,’ which was immediately done. The ship swung round, but there was not sufficient canvas to carry her offthe shore. The sea took her, and she went broadside on. The passengers—more particularly the women—ran up on deck, screaming ; the waves broke over the ship : her masts immediately went out of her; every one was washed away, I think I was nearly the last washed away ; I clung to a piece of the wreck; the boatswain and another seaman were also clinging to it. I was v.a-hod off, and 1 recollect nothing further till I found myself on the ledge of the rock. 1 was thrown up by a wave to one ledge, and I crawled to the one on which I was found.’’ On a previous occasion, Johnson stated that the ship struck about half-past 12 on Friday morning ; that the ship was under easy canvas, and that Sydney lighthouse was in sight shortly before the vessel struck, the moment she struck a sea swept away the boats; and, directly afterwards, she thumped heavily, and the water commenced rushing Into the ship. lie, with two other men, attached himself to a plank. Ills shipmates were soon washed off, but a sea sent the plank towards the rocks and lodged him in a cleft without his receiving much injury ; hosaid he shou d think those on board did not live five minutes; any one who might have been below would not have had time to get on deck; it might have been an hour before the Dunbar broke up entirely ; it might have been less, as the time seemed very long to him ; he thought the captain must have mistaken the Gap for the North Head ; the light was obscured by the heavy rain at the lime; the officer on the forecastle reported breakers ahead; the ship had not enough canvas to tack with and there was not room to wear. In answer to the inquiries of another gentleman, he said he supposed there were altogether about 120 persons on board, the ship’s company numbering 59. In rep Iyto a question whether any signals of distress were made, we understand he stated expressly that only one blue light was burnt. Johnson will of course be examined at length at the inquest to-day. His evidence cannot fail to excite the deepest interest. We ought not to omit to state that Captain Jenkins, pilot,, who was in Sydney, on its being made known that a man was on the rocks, immediately started for the heads in his whaleboat, taking with him two coils of rope, and blocks. He reached the Heads ]in forty minutes, and was fully prepared to go outside to make an attempt at rescue, but, happily, the man had by this time been drawn up. •Subsequently, between four and five in the afternoon, a steamer passed outside, and the rocks were carefully examined with glasses, but no appearance of any other survivor could be observed. FURTHER PARTICULARS. Herald Office, Saturday Morning. The hopes we entertained last night that the wreck would not be tiie Dunbar, have proved fallacious. That unfortunate vessel must have struck between the Gap and the Lighthouse, and have instantly been dashed into a thousand pieces, and not a single soul is saved to lel I the sad and melancholy story. We proceeded to the Heads this morning at daylight. The bodies were still being washed to and fro on the ledges of the rocks, and articles from the wreck continued to be brought ashore. Amongst the latter was a pillow-case with the name “ -S. Peck’’ marked upon it. Other evidence also continues to come up of the fact that all on board must have perished. The following is a correct list of the passengers •. Mr. and Mrs. Kilner Waller, G children and servant, Mr. and Mrs. A. Myers, 6 children and servant, Mr. and Mrs. .S. Peek, Mrs. Egan, son and daughter, Mr. Hyacinth Macquoid, Mr. Severn, Misses Hunt, (2), Captain Sleane, R.N., Mr. James, Mr. Dotvney, Architect, Mr. Isaac Simmons, Mr. Troughton, Miss Logan, 2 Masters Logan, Mr. and Mrs. Mylneand family, Mr. Davidson.

Twenty-four second and third cabin passengers. Crew about sixty. Of theabove Mr. and Mrs. S. Peek were well-known colonists. Mr. Peek having been for many years a large importer, and formerly a partner with Mr. Robert Porter. Mrs. Egan was wifeof Mr. Daniel Egan, M.L.A., and was accompanied by his son and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Cuhnac. Mr. Kilncr Waller, was a brother of Mr, J. G. Waller of this city. Mr. Kilner Waller was the author of several interesting and valuable letters respecting emigration, which have lately appeared in this journal. Mr. A. Myers was a brother of a gentleman at Hathurstof the same name Mr. Mylne was, we believe, a squatter in the Northern district. Mr. Adrian de Young James, was the only son of Mr. H. Kerrison James, the Bishop of Sydney’s Secretary. This young gentleman had been to England pursuing his studies preparatory to entering the Church. The Miss Logan and two Masters Logan are the children of Mrs. Logan of this city. Mr. Macquoid willbe remembered as the son ofthelate Sheriff and who so honourably, a few years ago, liquidated the debts of hi* father. He was accompanied by his friend, and partner in a sheep station, Mr. Severn. Mr. Isaac Simmons was the second son of the late Mr. John Simmons, ami was returning to the colony to take possession of his share of the property. In the second cabin was Mrs. W. 11. Brown and child. Mrs. Brown was coming out to join her husband, an assistant in Messrs. Thompson, Symonds, and Co.’s house. Theie was also a M • Healing, wifeand three children: It is believed that Mr- Hyno was likewise a passenger. A letter from Captain Green, dated 12th May, to Messrs. Smith, Campbell, and Co., states that Mrs. Green would accompany him in the Dunbar ; but as an Illustrated London Net i;s, dated 13th June, also two letters with the initials “ A- G.” in the corner, bearing post mark "Commercial Road," were received by the mail steamer addres ed to Captain Green ; it is hoped that Mrs. Green may not have accompanied him this voyage. "Herald" Office, Sunday Evening, 10p.m. The steamer Black Swan, chartered by the Government to assist in searching for the remains of the ill-fated passengers and crew of the Dunbar, proceeded down the haibour yesterday (Sunday) morning, at about 10 a.m., with Captain Rockley and numerous other gentlemen, more or less concerned, on board. Captain M'Lcrieand Inspector Weale, with a couple of water police boats (as also one or two private ones), were in attendance, and rendered efficient aid. The steamer immediately made for the North Shore, and commenced to explore the various bays At Taylor's Bay several men were lauded, with orders to walk along the rocks and keep a good look-out ashore and afloat, a policeman being in company to watch over any property that eight be found. At Chowder Bay another boat put ofl’for thesame purpose, and landed with the intention of keeping along the edge of the water till they fell in with the other party, the steamer to pick up both boats as she came back; pieces of timber and the like were found, but nothing of importance.

Watson's Bay was n w visited, and, after leaving two shells on shore, the survivor, James Johnson, was taken onboard. The Middle Harbour was the next place, and there the steamer waited a considerable lima to allow a search along the shores. A numerous party landed near the spit, which we may remind our readers is the place where Mrs. Waller, a midshipman, and Mr. Downey were picked up. Here the principal part of the wreck and cargo seem to have been washed. The shore is literally white with candles, and the rocks are covered a foot or more deep with articles of every kind—boots, panama hats, and bonnets are here in abundance. Drums of figs, hams, pork, raisins, drapery, boots, and pieces of timber, piled in heaps, and lining the shore fora considerable distance, give a vivid idea of the havoc created. Among other things there were a barrel of brandy and another of red wine perfectly uninjured. Here also was picked up an interesting relic—a child’s straw hat with a feather in it which was shown to Johnson (the fortunate survivor), and he identified it as worn by one of the children in the Tropics, We have heard that a pieceof crotchel- - with the needle stuck in it, and a reel of cotton attached, was picked up at North Harbour, This melancholy relic of the calamity seems as if it were only just laid aside by the fair fingers that but a few moments after were motionless in death. Thesteamer after calling at Manly Beach and sending a boat up North Harbour (which however discovered nothing) stretched straight across for Watson’s Bay and received on board the bodies of three men, evidently stamen by the marks on the arms one, with the exception of the top of the scull, and the loss of part of the left arm. was entirely whole, and seems to have been a fine man. The other two were only trunks, tha mutilated remains of unfortunate sailors. Mr. P. Cohen, of Manly Beach Hotel, saw two bodies floating, and tried to recover them, but in consequence of the number of sharks, and the ferocity with which they fought for their prey, he was unable to do so. Mr. Moffat and a pilot arc, we believe, the persons under whose directions the three bodies were taken from the Gap. The steamer, having thoroughly searched every nook and corner, returned to Campbell's Wharf between seven and eight p.tn. The bodies were immediately conveyed to the dead-house where we believe they will be ou view for identification this day. EXAMINATION OE THE SCENE OE THE WRECK. Shortly after daylight on Saturday, the Circular Quay became thronged with persons desirous of going down to the Heads by the Washington and other steamers reported to have been chartered to visit the locality where the wreck took place} A feeling of intense melancholy appeared to prevade the whole of those present, and the numerous coffins sent down to the wharf to receive such bodies as might be picked up, added to the general gloom- It was a painful gloom. It was a painful sight to wittiest the agonising felings of many who were there, either cognizant of the fact that theic friends or relatives were passengers by the ill-fated ship, or expecting such to be the case. At about ten o’clock, one of Mr. Edye Manning’s steamers, in charge of Captain Sullivan, came alongside the Circular Quay, and such was the rush to get on board that stringent measures hail to be adopted to prevent as much as possible, any persons embarking other than those who were directly interested in the vessel and her passengers; who could perhaps identify any of the bodies, or who claimed a right to go on board, as representatives of the press, or as holding some official appointment. The shells for the reception of the bodies having been shipped, the steamer left the wharf with about GO or 7 11 persons aboard, amongst whom wheie Captain Hockley, the Inspector-General of Police, the Coroner, ami several police officers. The Harbour Masters boat with its crew, towed astern. The steamer went close along shore after rounding Bradley’s Head, when one of the pilot boats (Mr. Jetikin's) hailed her, and showed a gangway board, which was .immediately identified as belonging to the Dunbar. Taylor