WRECK OF THE ORACLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6763, 21 July 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)

WRECK OF THE ORACLE.

O. J. Humphreys, First Officer of the American ship Oracle, supplies the following account, written at Valparaiso, Chile, last April, of the wreck of that vessel, and the sufferings of the officers and crew, near Capn Horn :—The Oracle was chartered by S. F. Freeman to load wheat for Liverpool direct, and had on board 2028 tons. She was in command of Captain S. H. Morrison ; First Officer, O. J. Humphreys; Second Officer, R. M Belferidge; Carpenter, T.Anderson; cook, steward, 2 boatswains and 18 seamen. Gofc under weigh in the harbour of San Francisco on the morning of January ISth, 18S3, at S a.m., and proceeded to sea in tow of the tug Wizard ; at 10 a.m., crossed the bar, made all sail and tag left; at 2 p.m, the pilot left, and the ship proceeded on her course with light north-west winds, which in a few hours increased to a strong northwest gale and high sea. Under a heavy press of canvas we commenced the homeward voyage. With favouring winds we crossed the 7° north latitude nine days out, and then had light airs and calms to the equator, which was crossed. February sth, seventeen days out. Then took light southeast trades, which carried us to 25° south latitude, and then light baffliug winds until we took the westerly gales. Gale succeeded gale, which was rode out in safety, and nothing of note occurred until the morning of March 4th, when the barometer commenced to fall rapidly, with cloudy, gloomy weather. Sail was gradually reduced, but for 24 hours had only a moderate gale until the morning March sth, when the barometer stopped falling. It then stood steady at 28.40, and at 6 a.m., saw the hurricane coming on the water from the west southwest and with such force as to make the sea comparatively smooth. Sail was quickly reduced to storm scnddingcanvas and the hurricane struck the ship wfth terrific force, but without accident, and during that day and night the ship scud well and at a terrific speed. The wind blew with such force as to make it almost impossible to get along the decks. The squalls of hail and rain were terrific. In a few hours the sea had raised until it was running mountains high aud terrible to look upon—rolling on boar.i, filling the decks completely, causmg the ship to tremble and stagger under the heavy load. During the day all hands were employed marling the sails to the yards, which were constantly blowing adrift aa fast as secured. At 4 p.m., called the port watch aft for safety, and sent starboard watch helow to supper, as nothing had been eaten during the day. At 5 p.m. a terrible sea came along, boarding ship over the quarter, smashing in the wheel-house aud after-cabin, filling it with water and filling the decks, smashing in the forward part of the cabin and washing Harry Mason, a seaman, overboard. He was not seen afterward. The remainder of the crew was washed about the decks, r.early drowned, but saved themselves by holding on to rope 3 until rescued from their perilous position. At 6 p.m. a terrific squall struck the ship, carrying away starboard fore-arm in the shelvehole, causing foot-rope, brace and life-band to drop on deck and the lower topsail sheet to split into the yard, where it held and could not be taken in. With great exertion and risk of life a preventer brace was got up and the yard secured as well as possible. The post bulwarks were then cut away to free the ship of water, with which the decks were constantly full. During that night we scud before the hurricane, all hands on deck, expecting that every sea that rolled on board would break in tho decks and send us to destruction. The morning of March 6th dawned at last, after what seemed to bo a life time, and with it the hurricane increased until it seemed impossible to blow any harder. We could only get along the decks by creeping close to the weather bulwarks. From daylight until noon all hands were at work securing the upper fore-top sail and foresail. The upper maintopsail, a new cotton sail with wire roping, was blown adrift and to ribbons. The Captain then decided to bring the ship to the wind, as she scud no longer without foundering. The decks were full of water and all hands nearly exhausted from the wet and exposure, having had no food or rest for 48 hours. If brought to the wind successfully, there was a chance for the ship weathering tho gale. It was a terrible undertaking, with the sea running so high and with such terrific force, but it was our only and last chance for the ship and our lives. Accordingly everything was made ready,a favourable chance watched for, and at noon on February 6th the ship was brought to the wind in safety. It was not until the ship was brought to the wind that the fury of the hurricane was realized. The first squall blew the lower fore-topsail tc ribbons ; the lower main-topsail blew from the bolt-ropes, and sails that were marled to the yards blew adrift and to pieces in a short time. Men were thrown against the houses and held there, findiug it almost impossible to move. They could only drop on deck and and creep and lash themselves, to keep from blowing overboard. The ship lay on her beam-ends with the water up to her hatches the greater part of the time. Tho sails were blowing adrift and a complete wreck aloft. We could only lash ourselves securely with ropes and bold on, waiting for the gale to abate. At 7 p.m. the wind lulled for a few moments and the bead of the spanker was set, making the ship lay easier. A tarpaulin was placed in the mizzen rigginp, but the wind commenced to blow again with the same fury, although the barometer had now commenced to rise rapidly, and at S p.m. stood at 29 95 The squalls now came faster than ever, with thick, blinding hail and snow, making it impossible to see a ship's length. It was wonderful how the masts stood. At 12 p.m. it slightly moderated suddenly and cleared up enough to show us land close to the lee beam. All haods made sail. The maintopmast staysail was set only to be blown to ribbons. The lee clew of courses was then hauled aft, whole spanker, fore and fore-topmast staysail set, and the ship . straightened out her wake, but in a few moments land was made ahead and on the weather bow, and we could now see high cliffs and heaay seas breaking against them. Destruction seemed inevitable to the good ship and all on board. Only by the Captain's grest coolness and presence of mind were all hands saved from that sad fate. When close upon the breakers an opening in the land was discovered, and the wheel was put hard up. The ship sailed in. between the land towering up hundreds of feet and into smooth water, but she then became unmanageable on account of tho eddying currents. The anchor was got ready, but no bottom could be got, and in a short time a ledge of rooks was seen under our lee, with seas breaking heavily. The ship struck with tremendous force, but remained only a few moments, and then drifted off into smooth water. Boats were then made ready, officered, manned and provisioned, and made fast to the ship, which continued to drift until she struck a high ridge of land. Cast tho lead and found four fathoms under stem and fifteen fathoms under the stern. Steam was made on tho engines and both pumps started, but the water gained rapidly. The boats were brought alongside and filled with provision, and we had only time to secure a few clothes when the vessel listed over and sunk entirely from sight, sliding off into deep water. The boats then pulled along the shore for some distance before a landingplace could befound, as the land rose abruptly from the water, aud in many placea there were high cliflsj