AFTER THE WRECK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1184, 9 November 1894, Page 12

AFTER THE WRECK.

SCENES OF GHASTLY HORROR.

THE GRUESOME OBSEQUIES

Auckland, November 3

When the Argyle arrived at Katherine Bay, preparations were made for the melancholy work of collecting, identifying and coffining the dead, and boats were sent ashore with police and the men engaged by the Union Company to assist in removing corpses, the men landing on a rough shingly beach under a high cliif. The first body found was that of a man name unknown, lying on the stones with a lifebelt under his arms. His only clothing was a portion of a nightshirt. A dead horse was lying between high and low watermark a few yards further on. Round a rocky point and about 300 yards along the beach, again under the overhanging rocks, the party came upon the second corpse, that of a young woman. As each body was located, planks and tools were brought ashore from the

I steamer, a rough coffin fashioned and the body nailed up therein, after minute particulars of the appearance of the body, effects, &c, had been carefully noted down to assist in the work of identification. The second body—that of a young woman —presented a shocking appearance. With a lifebelt under her arms, like all the drowned persons washed ashore, she lay huddled on tho rocks, her only clothing a pink-coloured nightdress. She had been a good-looking girl of about twenty-five years of age, with what seemed to bo auburn hair. On her finger was found a ring with small pearls and some greenstones set in it. Close by lay a third remnant of poor humanity, another young woman, a lifebelt strapped round her, and her body wrapped in a bit of sail-cloth. Portions cf her body were frightfully discoloured by bruises, received no doubt by contact Avith the cruel rocks, and her light brown hair was imbedded in the sand. It was stated by some of the survivors that she was a hospital nurse, a steerage passenger from Sydney, name unknown. She wore a nightdress and a sort of velvet bodice. On her fingers were three rings, one with pearls and small stones. She was apparently about 20 years of age. The body was fearfully discoloured by bruise 3. Nos. 4 and 5 of the bodies recovered in this bay were found lying in a little bight under the shade of the pohutukawa trees. They were thos© of two women, and presented a pitiful sight. As the party from the Argyle clambered over the rocks and waded round the jutting points to reach the spot, they found the bodies stretched out full length on the hard rocks. One of the women, both of whom had belts fastened round them, was entirely naked. The other wore a tattered chemise. The savage sharks had attacked the firstnamed body, which presented a shocking spectacle, the calf of one leg and a big piece out of her side having been bitten away. The younger girl was apparently 14 or 15 years of age, and looked a most pitiable object as she lay with upturned face on the sea-worn shingle, her eyes staring vacantly into space and her mouth filled with sand. The men in the party had to turn away their heads to hide their emotions as they took in the situation. The younger girl was evidently a Roman Catholic, for round her neck she wore a cross and some Catholic relics tied together with worsted thread. The other woman was apparently about 28 years of age. She wore a wedding ring and a diamond ring with three stones. The faces of both bodies were so knocked about as to be unrecognisable. Next in order along the beach was found No. 7 corpse, that of a man. This body wore grey striped trousers and a strap round the waist and one boot on. He had black hair and red moustache, and was apparently about 25 years of age. Close by lay a dead borse, while all sorts of wreckage, oranges, &c, strewed the beach. The next body, No. 8, also presented a sad sight. The corpse was that of an elderly lady, with hair brown but turning grey. She lay on her face on the sand and shingld, a bandage being visible on her right foot. She wore a night-dress and wrapper, and seemed to have been much bruised and knocked about on the rocks. On her wrist she wore a gold bracelet watch, while four valuable rings were taken off her fingers by the police. One was a gold wedding ring, another a diamond ring, and there were two rings with small stones. On the watch was found the monogram " M.R.G.A." Tho search party then took their way along the beach for a considerable distance, clambering over rocks and sometimes wading knec-cleep in Avater. Tho Avhole of the coast-line was strewn Avith thousands of fragments of Avreckage, consisting of deck cargo, boxes of oranges and lemons, pieces of deck structure, cornices and panelling from the music saloon, the letter-box from the companionAvay, &c. Picking their way over slippery rocks the party suddenly came on another body, that of a man with a life-belt on; sandy moustache and brown hair, trousers and shirt on. *

Round his waist was found a bait sewn to the lining of his trousers, and this belt on being cut open was found to contain a sum of money in gold and silver coin. This man was supposed to have been a saloon passenger. Round a little rocky point from this was found the body of a young man with red moustache and light hair, waistcoat, striped tweed trousers and shirt on, and a life-belt strapped round him. He was about sft Gin in height, and was apparently 30 years of age. A purse with a key in it was found in one of hU pockets. The unfortunate young fellow's hand was thrown across his face, as if to shield him from some blow.

It was a peculiar feature of the bodies recovered that several of them had their clenched hands thrown across before their faces, as if warding oft* a blow, probably in their struggles on fatal rocks. About ten miles away another body was found—that of a young man, sadly discoloured by decomposition and bruises. The body was identified as that of Arthur Bray, a young resident of Onehunga, whose brother, Alfred Bray, recognised him. The deceased lived in Church street, Onehunga, and Avas 25 years of age. The body was put into a shell and brought up to town this morning. [A later telegram, published elsewhere, states that Mr Arthur Bray was not a passenger.] A big, powerful-looking man, entirely naked, Avas the next body discovered, lying on its face on the stones at high watermark, under a burning sun. The body had a lifebelt round it, It was

very much discoloured, and from the bruises the unlucky man must have made a hard struggle for life before he succumbed. His hair was fair, turning grey, with light moustache. The age of the drowned man was about 50 years. The face was unrecognisable. Two bodies discovered a few yards away were identified as those of Mr Whaley commercial traveller, and the youngest Miss Scoular, aged about 14 years. Both bodies were almost entirely naked. The man's body was encircled by a lifebelt, and was lying with one arm over its face. The young girl had a nightdress on, which had got entangled round her waist. The man had one sock on.

Not far from this, under a high cliff, the party about 11.30 a.m. found a portion of the captain's gig from the Wairarapa smashed up. Up on the beach some distance further on two more bodies were found. One was that of a woman with grey hair, wearing a black Alpaca skirt ; the name "C. Stewart " was sewn on her garments. The body is believed to be that of Mrs C. Stewart, a saloon passenger. Beside the old lady lay the corpse of a poor young girl slightly built, with stays and chemise on, and a portion of a nightdress. The girl, who seems to have been pretty, with brown hair, was so terribly disfigured by tho rocks that her features were unrecognisable. The name "E. Burton" was found on her clothing, and it is now known that she was a Miss Burton, who was a saloon passenger. She was apparently about 14 or 15 years of age. The next body found was that of a young woman, the face and part of her body covered by a chemise and petticoat, the former of which had blood on it, as from a wound.

This body was recognised as that of the eldest Miss Scoular, about 18 years of age. The face was upturned, the mouth open, and the whole appearance of the body terribly ghastly. Hard by lay the keel of one of the Wairarapa's boats. The nineteenth, and last, body found in Katherine Bay was discovered near a liferaft, along a stretch of rocky coast, intervening between it and the body of Miss Scoular.

This was found to be the corpse of Mr Warry, saloon passenger, of Dunedin, sft Bin high, with red beard, and moustache, apparently between 30 and 40 years of age. He was a brother-in-law of Mr Chick, who is also lost in the Wairarapa. Mr Chick kept the Port Chalmers Hotel. The body of Mr Warry was fully clothed, with two coats, waistcoat, &c, and one boot on. The right hand was tightly clenched as the dead man lay under the sun with his lifebelt still fast round him. The bodies identified are those. of : Eobert Magee, a fireman ; Arthur Bray, Onehunga; Misses Scoular (2), Dunedin ; Mrs C. Stewart, cabin passenger; Miss E. Burton, cabin passenger; Mr Warry and Mr Spencer. The bodies having been all coffined and taken on board the steamer, tho Argyle steamed round the bay to the Maori settlement at Kawa, where a few Natives and half-castes of the Ngatiwai hapu of tho Ngapuhi reside, the local chief being Kino. The steamer anchored close to a parklike clearing near the Pohutukawa which fringed the beach, and the bodies were all taken ashore in boats, in order that an inquest might be held and the bodies interred there.

No prettier place could be found in the vicinity for a burial place than in this little nook between the Pohutakawa grove and high manuka on the hillside above. Every additional detail of the wreck of the steamer "Wairarapa renders the disaster still more shocking than before. The death-roll has increased, while the terrible sights witnessed at the wreck and along the coast of the Great Barrier Island daily impart a more sickening aspect to the catastrophe. Dead bodies have been washed ashore by the dozen for miles and miles along the rocky Barrier coast' line, and the distress of relatives and friends renders tho calamity most heartbreaking. Those who visited the locality of the wreck and laboured at the recovery of the corpses yesterday witnessed scenes of horror which will cling to their memories till their dying days. another steamer chartered. Mr Jackson Palmer telegraphed to the Premier for permission to be granted to the Coroner to charter a steamer to collect the bodies with, as they were scattered over a distance of 20 miles along the beach. Mr Jackson Palmer also, on behalf of the Coroner, applied to Inspector Hickson to send proper material for coffins and also for 100 winding-sheets to cover the dead. Permission was telegraphed in reply by the Premier to Mr Palmer to get a steamer, and ho chartered the s.s. Nautilus, which left on Saturday afternoon, at 5 o'clock, for the wreck. She had on board material for coffins and windingsheets sent by Inspector Hickson, also carbolic and other necessary things. Twelve men from the Labour Bureau have been employed to bury the dead. Mr Perrin, immediately on his arrival from Wellington, was taken on board also, and went down to try and identify his wife and child, who were drowned in the wreck.

Auckland. November 4. The Northern Company's Clansman arrived at midnight from Great Barrier. The steamer picked up the body of Mr Judd, the chief steward, in his uniform. An old woman was picked up, with lifebelt on, also a young married woman, apparently 22 years of age, with a gold wedding ring, and with brown hair. Two bodies of men have been buried at the island, both sandy-haired, one with a hare-lip. - . The Clansman has on board the bodies ot Mr Rowbottom, Mr Whaley and Mr White for interment in Auckland. Mr Judd's body will be brought up by the Argyle. Mr Greenaway, at Arid island, had buried two bodies previously. He had not

heard of the wreck, but'suspected one through finding the bodies. / The body of Bird, a miner from Coolgardie, has been picked up. There was a miner's right on the body, and 133 sovereigns. The Union Company's gang, under the wharf superintendent, Mr Birch, are assisting tho police, and now over 20 bodies have been buried. The Clansman picked up 18 bodies. The Argyle has left again, taking tho / police boat, more provisions, and a further gang of men for the Union Company. H.M.S. Royalist leit this morning under the instructions of the Admiral to cooperate in any way possible in the work of relief. She will stand over to Mercury Island, Cuvier Island and Kennedy Bay, where bodies are likely to have been taken by the current. A telegram has been received here that Mr Fred Wills, of Christchurch, chemist, was on board, and asking the police to identify tho body if possible. Captain Farquhar took tho bearings of the Wairarapa a 3 closely as possible, and found her head lying E.S.E. PASSENGERS DROWNED BELOW DECK. He believes some of tho passeugersdidnot get on deck, as through a port-hole a body could be seen floating to and fro. The sum of .£l4O was found on tho body of a man who has not been identified. The police have now several sums of money and a quantity of watches and jewellery awaiting identification and claimants. A Sunday concert took place this afternoon in the City Hall, the Mayor presiding, and an open-air concert was given by the Newton Band, on the Queenstreet wharf, in aid of the relief fund. FUNERAL OF TWO VICTIMS. The funeral of Captain Laura Flavall, of the Salvation Army, took place to : day, also that of Miss Williams, drowned at the wreck. The Newton Band played "The Dead March " in " Saul" at tho head of the procession. Thousands lined the streets, and many of the survivors were present. ONE OF THE SURVIVORS IN A CRITICAL. STATE. Miss Williams' sister, who was saved after being for several hours in the water, lies in a critical condition. Her hair has turned grey. One of the steerage passengers lost, and whose name is unknown, is stated to belong to Gisborne, ar-d was on his way there-for the shearing season. He owns land in the western, part of Gisborne.. The missing: man spoke with" an Irish accent. He was about s£t lOin in; height, of medium build, and had lightish brown moustache, whiskers, and beard. His age was about 35. MORE BODIES RECOVERED. Auckland, November 5. The steamer Argyle returned this morning from her third trip to the scene of the wreck. She brought up the news that six additional bodies had been recovered round the island. On Sunday the bodies of a man, woman and child wore recovered floating in the sea not far from the wreck, and the Maoris yesterday morning recovered three more corpses off Needles Point. The dead are being buried in Maori Bay, near the Maori settlement. A COURAGEOUS OFFICER. Mr Alfred Kidd, of Auckland, and all others who have visited the wreck are loud in their praises of the third officer of the Wairarapa, Mr H. Johnston, whose pluck and perseverance were invaluable at the time of the wreck and in the recovery of bodies. Many more lives would probably have been lost but for this young officer's presence of mind and courage. A correspondent, writing from Port Fitzroy by the Argyle, says that cases of fruit, several dead horses, and a boat have been found on Midland's Beach, at the south end of the island, having drifted right round from the wreck. A body of a young woman was found last night floating off the Needles, and taken to burial ground at Catherine Bay. She was not identified. She is about 25 years of age, with dark hair cut short in front, oval face, short thick nose, and rather full lips, and she wore a plain wedding ring. The * Nautilus discovered the body of Mark Dickson after passing the Needles. His papers showed that ho arrived in Sydney per s.s. Austral, from London, and transhipped to the Wairarapa. Four more bodies were afterwards discovered. One was that of a child, and was identified by his father, Mr Hector Baldwin, from Wellington. The body of Charles McKinuon Avas also discovered. The following additional bodies have been identified : —Robert McGee, lamptrimmer ; the youngest Miss Scoullar, of Dunedin, and Bray, son of Mr Bray, Enfield, Sydney. Mr Whaley's body is to be buried here. Those of Miss Rowbottoin, White and Bray will be taken to Sydney. The body of the child Baldwin will be taken to Wellington, and that of Warry to Dunedin. THE BURIAL OF THE DEADThe Premier received a telegram from the authorities at Auckland requesting that instructions should be sent for provision to be made for the interment of the bodies of those drowned. A reply was sent .giving the necessary authority. MEASURES OF RELIEF. Information was also received that the supply of food in possession of the Natives was limited, owing to the encroachments made upon it by the survivors from the wreck. Instructions have accordingly been ' sent to supply the Natives with provisions ' in place of those which were fortunately at | hand for the survivors to exist upon. | Inspector Hickson has gone to the island with a body of constabulary to

render such-help as may be in their ower.

The Hon J. G. Ward, as Minister of Marine, has requested His Excellency the Governor to arrange for the despatch of H.M.S. Royalist, from Auckland, to search for bodies, or for any survivors from the Wairarapa who may still be afloat.