THE LOST ORPHEUS.

New Zealander, Volume XIX, Issue 1791, 11 February 1863, Page 3

THE LOST ORPHEUS.

One of the points connected with the wreck of this unfortunate ship, and which appears to have made a deep impression on the public mind, is that it occurred not only in open daylight, but on a bright and brilliant day, with moderate wind and smooth water. The wreck, calamitous as it has been, is not without its parallel, both in regard to circumstances and the proportionate sacrifice of human life. On Saturday last, at noon, under a smiling sky, all sail set, full steam on, the Orpheus was lost in the attempt to enter Manukau, a bar harbour, —one hundred and eighty-five, out of a ship's company of two hundred and fifty-six officers, seamen, and marines,

perishing. On the 11th March, 1847, on an equally bright and brilliant day, the steamer Sovereign, bound from Brisbane to Sydney, became a total wreck in attempting to take her departure from Moreton Bay, also a bar harbour. The loss of human life was, by comparison, quite as great as that of the Orpheus, and the breaking up of the sh’p equally instantaneous. The consternation and anguish was intense, and will never be forgotten by those whose relations perished. The following dirge, written at the moment, is so applicable in certain points to each of the ill-starred ships that we need offer no apology for reproducing it:— DIR&E On the appalling wreck of the steamer “ Sovereign,” at Moreton Bay, 11 th March, 1847. BY DAVID BURN. I. The tropic sun shone glorious, the morn was in its prime, Nor fitful gust, nor flitting cloud, foiewarned a dangerous time ; The bright and flashing waters, the eager vessel shimmed Whilst snatches of exulting joy her careless inmates hymned— Her couise seemed fair—their hopes soared high—the surge no peril showed. For o’er the “ rails” and “five-harred gates” right gallantly she rode. Yet then—e’en then—when all but crossed, and the blue ocean p'gh, A sound of wail thrilled thro’ her womb—was’t Death was in that cry ? 11. Like racer smitten in his might—like falcon in her pride— The labouring vessel groans and grinds ’mid an engulphing tide:— No more revolve her powerless whee'.s;— in vain she spreads the sail, — And every effort to exclude the raging billows fail. One faithless anchor quits its post—to stem the furious sea Another plunges in the flood, yet, still, she drives a lee. Where the gay smiles, the cherished hopes, of that late happy band ? Turned to despairing agony as nears that fateful strand ! 111. Choaked are the pumps—swept are the decks—and Death, with grisly might. Like pirate fell, stands rioting in fierce, unchecked- delight : Then ’twas that manly constancy, and woman’s deathless love Blazed forth with pure undying truth, nor doubt nor death could move. With precepts of Immortal love to cheer the fainting soul. And calm the pangs of mortal dread. Earth knows not to control. Ah, who more meek or Christian-like, the drear ordeal bore. Than thee, thou fond and faithful one,—now t' age'—Mary Gore I IV. All’s lost! All’s lost I Deck, bulwa-ks, planks, from stern to stem are riven— * “No hope for us, my Mary dear, ere night we sleep in Heaven I” Amen, replied her trusting heart—Amen, her tearless eye ; 41 God keep us.** 44 Jesus for us died,** And 44 tVe but once can die l” One struggling roll—one settling heel—one shriek—how wild.

how shrill! One gush of human agony—and all, alas, how still ! But few survivors gained the strand—but how, they could not

say— Whilst, in a twinkling, forty-five were swept from life away,

Ah! many a widowed eye will weep, and many a cheek grow

pale.. And tears of sympathising grief bedew our piteous tale. Give grief its due—give pity vent—and Nature gentle scope. But sorrow not as those, dear friends, devoid of holier hope ! Peace to the parted 1 They sleep we I’, by Moreton’s sounding

shore; Mourn not for them,—they are not dead.—they are but gone

before To mansions of Immortal bliss—realms of Eternal d iy— Where, from believers’eyes, the Lord will wipe all tears away! Sydney, 38th March, 1847.