THE WRECK OF THE ORWELL. —LAWLESS NATIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6237, 12 November 1881, Page 5

THE WRECK OF THE ORWELL. —LAWLESS NATIVES.

[It is gratifying to learn that tlio loss sustained by the wreck of the Orwell was not so great as at first blush appeared. The i vessel was insured in the South British I Office for £1200, £500 of which was reinsured in the New Zealand, and £200 in another office. Again, a considerable portion of the trading goods had already been delivered at various stations. The cargo was uninsured, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane considering it in the end to be more profitable to risk the loss than pay iusurance premiums. Hitherto their vessels have been very fortunate in this respect, and the disaster which befell the Orwell was quite an extraordinary freak of theirs, it being a very r.Te occurrence for the wind to shift within months of the time it did. We have gleaned some further particulars of the occurrence. The Orwell arrived at Peru on August 2-lth, and remained at anchor all day, the weather being fine, and the wind E.N.E. and steady, the captain feeling quite safe. At 10 p.m. the wind, which was light, shifted to south, and the ship tailed in on to the reef, her stern being in four fathoms of water. There was at times a heavy swell rolling in. About 10.30 the wind went back to S.E., or along the shore, and a start Mas at once made to get under way. The mainsail and topsails were set for a stern board, as the vessel was too close to get clear. As the anchor was beiug hove up the wind came more off the land, but just as the vessel swung round, with her head to laud, the wind fell to a calm. The boat was towing her head round, but the sea hove her end-on, and she touched forward. A kedge was run out astern, and hove on till the line parted. By this time the sea began to rise fast, and soon there was no chance of saving the ship. At 11 o'clock the sea was breaking heavily over her, and the other boat was lowered outside the surf. A chart, chronometer, and other valuables were placed in one of tha boats, and all hands then took to the boats. Fee the first hour the vessel lay end-on to the sea, but as the tide began to rise she swung round broadside on, and at 11.15 the foremast carried away. About tho same time she struck heavily on a rock aft, carrying away the rudder and sternpost, and the water began to come in. At 11.30 the mainmast went by the deck. Held on till 2, when she was full of water and the sea was making clean breaches over her. The boat was bailed, and the captain and mate managed to get into her after being swamped once, and rowed ashore, a3 there was too much risk to try to get to the other boat, which remained out all night, its occupants being in an uneasy state of mind. At daylight the wreck was visited, and a sorrowful sight it presented. The starboard side was all gone, and the deck, in three pieces, was outside, and the ship was completely gutted. She broke up about 5 o'clock, and at daybreak the things began washing ashore, and the natives came in swarms from all sides and plundered everything that came ashore. The Samoan teachers used all the influence they had to prevent them taking the wreckage, but the natives said they were strongest, and would do as they liked. To make matters worse they got some drink which floated ashore. Ten cases of meat came ashore and a few cases of soap and salmon, but no bread or flour. At low water the crew went off to the wreck, which was quite dry on top of the reef, and obtained a few tins of bread and flour, and 10 bags of rice, all more or les3 damaged. This was all the food the crew had till taken off the island. The two days following they saved as much a3 possible from the wreck at low water. On Sunday the missionaries told the natives the danger they ran by plundering the wreck, and called a meeting for Monday. The natives then came in numbers, bringing the things which they said they had saved from the wreck, but nothing of much value. The wreck was sold to Mr. Bick for £14. The Orwell had only been six weeks from Auckland.

There is one matter which calls for comment in regard to the matter : the natives may plunder with impunity, and the English trader's remedy, where is it ? To look on at these savages deliberately setting him at defiance and appropriating his goods. British rule in Polynesia does not permit the trader to carry firearms for self-protection. Without these, what were less than a dozen whites and four Chinamen against a thousand aboriginals. The aboriginals profess the Christian faith, and are, under ordinary circumstances, a docile people enough. There is no form of government whatever, each man being as independent as Israel in the days of the Judges, doing what seemeth best in his own eyes. When they turned penitent through fear the loot which they restored was trifling. Preserve tins, from which the contents had been eaten, and a few yards of a roll of muslin (the balance being carefully stowed away) were not of much value to the rightful owners. If the Government prevent the traders defending themselves, they should be responsible for their protection. Therefore, if Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane can prove a loss to a certain amount through the action of these natives, it would be but fair for the Government to see that the spoilers made restitution to that extent. A visit from a man-of-war to Bau would have the effect of teaching the natives that wreckers are an abomination in the sight of British law, and if a fine were imposed of so much produce as would recoup Messrs, Henderson and Macfarlane their loss sustained the result would be a little extra labour to the natives (a lazy people), and to the enterprising traders. We understand Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane intend making representations to Sir Arthur Gordon, High Commissioner, ou the subject.