NEWCASTLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 288, 14 October 1864, Page 6

NEWCASTLE.

TEP.P.IFJC GALE AND TOTAL WRECK OF THE BEICr GEBTRriDE, SCHOONEE JAMES, AKT) STEAM Ell LOWESTOFT. (From the St/tlnn/ Jlcrnld's Correspondent, Oct. 4.) The weather for the last few days lias been very overcast and threatening. Thursday was particularly dull with little or no wind ; towards evening a slight breeze came from the westward, accompanied by showers, l.ut notwithstanding the thnatcning nspee't of the weather, a huge number of vessels took their departure. On Fridny the wind shifted round to the south-west, mining steadily all day. The masters of vessels evidently did not expect the ceminp- storm, as seVeral got underway and proceeded to sea; amongst which were the barque Ty bee; blips Ensipi, Gertiude, Water Lily, 'Ihanics, and Drover; schooners Atlantic and .lames; steamer? You Yangs and Leiwostoft, and others. At fix o'clock, when the steamer Paterson left, there was only a light breeze from the southward, with smooth sea. Shortly after ten o'clock the inhabitants were somewhat alarmed by what appeared a snlvo of arlilleiy; fo preut was the noise made by the first fun- of the stoim. The wind blew with fearful violence during the whole night, accompanied by heavy downpours of lain. The gale appeared at its height between twelve and two, when the gusts of wind were most frightful. The nois-e of falling elates, ridfcihg, spouting, and boards—the clatter of the galvanized roofing—the whistling and licwling of (lie wind and booming of the f/e'a, as it broke on the sandy beach and dashed agairst the rocks, coupled with the fact that the very house beneath one rocked to ami fro as if it was a cradle, could not but make the stoutest heart feel, and utter a prayer for their poor fellow creatures at sea ; it was indeed an awful night, such as was never ' before known in our recollection. When daylight came (ho first thing that, caught otir view was the topmast of some vessel sunk in the river, this was the Polly Hopkins, lighter, which had foundered at anchor. Nearly the whole of the shipping alongside the wharves had partially broken from their moorings, and many of the vessels had dragged their anchors, hut no particularly severe disunity occurred among them. There was a fearful sea running, breaking heavily right across the harbour, and making clean. breaches over the breakwater. Any attempt on the part of a sailing vessel to enter was certain destruction, and even a steamer ran great danger; many thought it impossible for one to coino through such heavy breakers, shortly after seven o'clock, the Patcfson (s.) was observed endeavouring to make the port. At times the noble little boat would rise on the mighty billows ; at others would be, as it were, eiigulphcel and entirely lost to vie*-, it seemed ii hard struggle, a'fter rounding Nobby's, to contend with, the dreadful roll of the ecu running aerp«. Bluny thought she would not be able, !o come through. Onn sea only struck her, and she managed to come safely alongside the wharf she had left Us elve hours previously. Not only did the steamer show signs of the terrible. ni<»ht, but the blanched hands anel drenched clothes of the poor unfortunate seamen gave evidences of the awful night spent at sea. The puFsengcre seemed thankful they were again in port, and considered they had had a most miraculous escape for their lives. It. appears the laterson made a capital run to Bird Island, of two hours; btit shortly after passing the island she met ti cyclone. The sea got up rapidly, breaking over the vessel, buveral heavy FP as broke on board, currying away water casks, gangway, and fore companion, down winch the water poured into the fore cabin. At one time it was expected that she would founder from the immense quantities Df water breaking on board Captain Somerville thought of making Broken Bay but the fearful thick weather prevented him seeing more than a few lengths ahead ; he lay the vessel to • tned her at slow and half-speed, but all to no purpose. Ihe gale was too violent, and the sea too contused. As a last resource, although a very hazardous one, Captain Somervillo determined to run back as ins only chance of earing the passengers, crew, and boat; fortunately, ho succeeded, only losing his quarter boat in the attempt. There can be no doubt that under Divine Providence Captain Somerville by Jus coolness, courage, and able seamanship, was the means of saving the shfp and the lives of everyone on board. The very fact of the largo gap left by the ioro companion being carneiTaway, and the immense qniintilicH oi water pouring down, it is surprising she did not founder. 1 regret to say one of the seamen named Hugh Cameron, got severely injured bv the ragments of the fore companion striking him oil the lieud; his side is also much bruised. He now lies in tlie hospital, and is progressing better than it was anticipated. The schooner Atlantic ran down under Nobby's about nine o'clock this morning, but finding the sea too heavy, the master turned about and attempted to run out to sea again. The schooner was last seen a long way down the bight, and fears were entertained she would not weather the point. The New Moon (s.) alsb ran down, but was compelled to bear oil'for Port btepnans. 1 he crews of the Salamander and William Melliuish nobly volunteered to man the ljfoboat, but although it, was held ia readiness it was not deemed prudent, unless of w. fipn tnpceeßilv to send it outside, Captain Allen, Master,' sent a boat's crew,

trith life "buoys, ropes, &c, up to tho bluff, from thonco tho men would walk bver on the beach, to render assistance, if found necessary, In the after-i-'pon the crews of tho brig Gertrude, and schooner James, walked into town from the Nine-mile Beach, and reported both their vessels total wrecke. They left heie yesterday, coal laden, bound for Sydney ; tho master of the Gertrude finding the seas breaking on board so rapidly, and not being able to keep her free from water with the pumps, and knowing she must shortly founder, deemed it advisable to beach her to save tho lives of the crew ; he thereforo ran for the land, and made the bench about two miles from ltcdhcud. All the crew got safely ashore, with the exception of the cook, who is supposed to be flrown'ed. The schooner James went ashore about a mile to the southward of the Gertrude; crew all saved. The Gertrude is not insured, and was owned by Pr. BowkerandMr. Boycc. The James, schooner, I was owned by Mr. "Warburton, of Pyrmont, Sydney. I do not know whether she is insured or not.

Nearly every houso lias Fullered more or less by tho violence of tho gale ; scarcely a house hut admitted tlic rain ; in some dwellings buckets had to bo employed to bnil out the water. Numbers of dwellings lost ridgeeapping, slafes, shingles, and cliininojß ; in somo the lead wns torn completely oil', spouting all blown down, plaster tumbled oft'in large patches, windows blown in, pigiiboards torn down, and nunie; otis fences broken and levelled with the ground. There has boon considerable other damage done, but time Juis prevented mo obtaining full particulars. The most serious damage done is to the new "Wesleyan Chanel. This beautiful building hap been lately erected at coneidcrnble cost on the hill. Tho situation is somewhat exposed, but it was never for a moment anticipated that the gale would expose it lo any immediate danger; but 3 regret to say, the storm of lust night nearly proved the destruction of the splendid edilice; the large window was blown completely in, exposing the interior to the full force of the wind and rain; us a consequence, it was found this morning that the floor was covered several inches with water ; pews, cushions, &e., all wet; the western wall cracked nearly the vliole length of the building ; riilgo lead and many slides off. At a lirst glance it was thought there was no hope of sa\ing the building, but his "Worship the Mayor, 11 r. J). T. Bishop, one of the trustees, was early on the ground, and aided by Mr. Winship, also a trustee, tome fifty men were engaged and placed under the superintendence of Sir. Cox, who have been all day securing the walls and root. Carpenters have partially bearded up the window. Mr. Vinship kindly lent all his available stafl'to assist in saving the building. Everything movettble has been taken out, and it. is not expected Divine service can be held in the chapel lor some weeks. The estimated damage is at leutt £500.

The wind carried the sand in drifts from the sandhills into the harbour. Some huudrcds of tons of sand must, have been blown into the river. No one but those who crossed over the sand-hill could fomi any idea of the power of the wind, and the vast quantities of sand carried down; in fact, it was quite alarming to observe the immense mischief being perpetratcel in a few hours that will t-.ke years to undo. It certainly behoves the Government to step in and take immediate iietie>« in the matter, or they may find whin it is too late, that the evil has grown to such dimensions as to be beyond control or remedy. The ' Telegraph' did not put to sea. It is generally admitted that the present gale is the most scvire we have had for manv rears.

Monday morning, Oct. 3. I regret to have to chronicle another disastrous wrick during the late gale, nnd I afraid from its celerity and the fearful sea that has been running on the coast, we shall- yet hear of more losses to our meicantile marine. Jn the present instance our port has suffered a severe loss by the total wreck of the well-known steam-tug ' Lowesloft,' on the Nine Mile Beach. The'LowCMoft' left here between twelve and one on Friday afternoon, in charge of Captain Beechy. . Mr. llcscott, the late pilot, was also on board. The tug was going to Sydney for the purpose of towing up the ship ' Prince Consort.' Everything went right until within a short distance of Broken Bay, when a gale burst upon Ihcm without a moment's warning. The weather became so thick that it was impossible to tec a boat's length ahead, or they would have iuii for Broken Bay. The sea got up remarkably fast ; in fact, within half an hour of the comniinctinent of the stoini the sea was running fearfully high ; sea after sea broke en board, and notwithstanding every elioi t was made by those on bcarel to bail and pump her out, the seas came so rapidly that all their tilbits were in vain ; the water gamed on lliclu, and at last put Ihe fires out. Captain Beechy turned and ran beiorc it. "When daylight came they were oil" Lake Mae-quarie, and finding it was useless in endeavouring to make this port, as the water gained so fust, Captain Beechy determined to mn ashore to wtc the lives of those on board, providentially they managed to make the Nine-mile Bench, Lut not before the water was up to her red streak. All lunula managed to get safely on shore, but the steamer soon parted in two from the heavy sea dashing against her. Ihe engines are visible ; Cuplaihs.lifctrjiy and Hescolt have remained at the wreck ; the engineer and crew anno into town yesterday afternoon about 3 o'clock.

i'cfteiday the weather moderated, although it blew Ireth all day, with a good sea. The Coonanbara and City of Newcastle, steamers, came in from Sydney but neither the Telegraph nor thePaterton, steamers, attempted to go out.

(From the Sydney Jloald's Correspondent, October 5,) 1 lie Sampson, in low of the Bnleluthn, came in today. '1 he following is her report:— Tho Samson (s.) crossed the Manning Biver bar at G.EO p.m. on Friday, September 30th. with moderate wind ; SJ.3O p.m., engine broke down ; 11.30 p.m., engineer busy repairing engine; started again; 2 a.in. on fcaturdny, cumiuenced to blow from south ; 8 a.m. wind increased 1o a hurricane, Black 11 cad in sight, bearing to S.W., vessel shipping largo quantities of water, forc-lrysail and staysail carried away, are employed bending new fore-trysail ; 11 a.m., get it set, employed throwing dead cargo and bags maize overboard ; 1.15 p.m., shipped heavy sea, which swept deckt, filling fore-cabin and engine-room half full of water, same sea carjying away her rudder-head. fchip laying on her luiim ends, with weight of water on boiud ; cut iorotrytail sheet awiiy ; ship gradually righted h'jrsi'll ; stopped engines, imdlay-to with her head ea-t, with close reef maintrytail r same sea washed three of the teamen ait, broke two of their h-ps, nipturtd another; ship making a good deal of 'viiirr; employed throwing cargo overhoaTd to lighten ship-. 8 p.m., got pumps to work in after hold and t'libin, kepi them constantly going. Midnight, still blowing heavy gale with fearful sea. Sunday blowing perfect hurricane with heavy squalls of rain ; puiiipe going all the time ; unbuiit'the iore-hysail; the main one being split. '2 p.m. main trysail blown away ; bent new one in its place, and set it. -1 p.m, put ship on port lack, weather moderating a little ; midnight, weather more moderate, but still blowinghare. Monday, (i a.m. got chain rove through shacMe in her rudder to steer with ; weather moderate and line-. 10 o'clock p.m., sighted land; 3 p.m., steamer in tight ; 7 p.m., made signals of distress to her. 'Tuesday 8 a.m., Jinlclutha took us in low abreast i;f Pert Macquarie ; weather moderate and iine; and arrival at at 1 p.m. Immediately on tho arrival of the Samson (s.), Mr. .T. Dibbs, agent.tor the company went on hoard, and atoneo had every attention paid to tho three unfortunate senmen who had got injured; they wero placed on board the tug Tamar and brought ashore, no timo being lost in conveying them to tlie hospital. To look at the Samson in her present condition, it is surprising how she managed to keep alloat. The fore-cabin presents a perfect wreck, aud tliu deck-scams show evident signs of the working of the vessel while contending with tho storm ; parts of the deck-house ;ire washed away. In tho heavy soa which swept tho vessel throe horses wok- carried overboard, as well as several coops of fowls, pigs, &c , &c. Upwards of <100 bags maize were thrown overboard to lighten the vessel, and the remainder of the cargo is more or less damaged by water. Captain Jiennud ne-e-d be proud of his vessel weathering such lerniic gale. Me certainly deserves tho greatest praise for his intrepid and noble conduct. "With the greater pi.rt of his crow disabled, the engines not workable, sails blown away, and several feet of water in the hold, rudder gone, the vessel scarcely manageable, Captain Uenaud, by his calmness and seamanship, managed to keep his vessel well out to sea until assistance came. Certainly he was abty assisted by his chief officer, Mr. H. .Boylo, a name familiar to many hero from the fact that Mr. Boylo resided many years with his father at the Old Signal Station, now occupied by our Harbour Master. Tho A. S. N. Company neod bo proud of having two such ellieicnt officers as Captain Benaud iuid Mr. H. Boylo, to whom too much praise cannot be awarded for their heroic conduct during the lato fearful weather. Tho Samson lias four steerage passengers.

Report of Balclutha, Captain J. W. Brown—Left Rockhampton Friday morning last, had fresh head winds up to Sunday morning, -wind freshened from S.E., with heavy swell from south; met Samson Oft Port Maequarie last night about eight o'clock, took her in tow this morning, and arrived in Newcastle at one o'clock. In a telegram I sent you on Saturday I stated the New Moon was off here. She ran down well for tho port; but suddenly turned and run out, shaping her course for Port Stephens. "Wo watched her with much interest riding on the mighty hillows—seeming a mere cockleshell, from the way sho was tossed about in the fearful seas ; at times she would be lost j to view, then she would rise for a moment, and again disappear. Sometimes we thought she would never rise again, but she braved it wonderfully, mating good progress. We watched her until oureyes got dim, and we could see her no longer. Not many hours after the unfortunate litttle steamer lay a hopeless wreck on the beach—scarce avcetngeleft and only one known survivor left to tell the tale. It appears the New Moon was returning from the Maccleay River, bound for Sidney, and had proceeded as fur as Bird Island, when elie was met by the gale ; soon (lie sea began to break on board; the engines became useless in consequence of the steam vaivo getting out of order, the foresail, jib, and trysail were carried away, piimps got choked, there were three feet water in her hold. Finding the water increasing and no chance of the gale abating, the captain resolved to run back. On arriving off this port a consultation was held, when they determined run to Port Stephens for safety ; ths vessel soon after became unmanageable, and they drifted ashore near Haima Bay. The man saved is a fireman, and he says, immediately on the steamer striking on the beach, one of the crew jumped ashore, but a sea swept him back and he never saw him more. r ihe females and c;ew lie observed floating about on pieces of Ttrcck, but cannot say if any of them succeeded in making the beach, as he did not get ashore before dark, although it was six o'clock when the vrssel struck; many seas rolled him over and over, each successive sea taking him higher up on tho beach, he taking the precaution to keep his hands and feet well embedded in the eand. When daylight enme n6t a vestige of the wreck was to be seen, nor any sign of any human being: he walked along the beach until met by Captain Allen, who at once took him into a farmhouse, provided him with tea, etc., and brought him in his boat to town, where everything requisite is paid to his wants. The Poribang, Government tug, has gone down to Port Stephens this morning, to ascertain if there is anv one saved from the unfortunate vessel.

'J here were eleven persons on board, viz., captain, owner's two sons, three firemen, three sailors, two female passengers. Two men passing along the beach picked up her mail bag and brought it in, but report no further news. There are several rumours of other wrecks and casualties, but no positive information at present, as 1 eumiot tiace them to fountain head.