THE WRECK OF THE SORATA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 6072, 16 September 1880, Page 3

THE WRECK OF THE SORATA.

FUEL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCENE. (united press association.) Auckland, September 14. An Adelaide correspondent writing under date 4th September states ;—“ At about ten on Friday night a telegram reached Sernaphore, from Cape Jervis, that the Orient steamship Sorata was aground. The Governor instructed the harbormaster to proceed to the scene. The steam tug Galatea was first away, and soon passed station. The Adelaide was next commissioned to take a lighter down. It was afternoon whan the steamer passed the North-West Bluff. An occasional puff of smoke over the land showed the position of the Sorata. Hardly her own length intervened between the fi<mre-head and the rooky coast. Her hear appeared to lie about south-east. At this point, which is at the most a mile from the lighthouse, the coast line is not precipitous, but from a high elevation descends gently te the water-line. The steamer had lef l the roads and made her way dowr the Gulf in magnificent style, but or turning the point at Capo Jervis had suddenly palled up. The night was withou a moon, but the stars were bright. Whei at nine o’clock the course was shifted th< passengers were all about the decks. Some noted how close the land appeared to be The vessel’s rate of full speed was then suddenly checked by a violent concussion, am stopped. The force of the shock is describee as being similar to grounding on a coral ree when the lighter part gave way, and the bee of rock brought up the vessel with a suddei jerk. There was no appearance of consterna tion among the passengers, and the mastei having made a little speech from the bridge quietly assured everybody that no immediat danger was to be anticipated. Shortly aftci wards the steamer Woononga turned up, an offered to assist tbo stranded ship. It w; almost low water at the time of stranding. ] was resolved to accept the proffered aii Meanwhile the ships’ boats were lowered an a fire lighted in the steam cutter, and prepar; lions made to land passengers. The first bo. made an attempt to reach the shore in straight line, but the surf beating against tl rocks was too much for her. She was fortuna enough, however, to fall in with a lighthou boat, and was directed to the harbor. Tl people were nearly all taken out of the shipsome to the lighthouse, while others sougl

quarters with Christie, Next morning all were glad to return on board the Sorata, under the impression that the next tide would float her off. . ' , On steaming alongside, the Adelaide made fast her hawser, and joined her power to that of the Sorata. Bowlines were stretched to their greatest tension, and the Sorata’s engines were going full-speed astern, but as the tide had passed its highest point, the efforts proved futile. The Sorata listed heavily over to the starboard, and then up-righted, but never made any great move astern. Anchors were let go from forward, and the cables were run out m order to lighten the vessel, but she seemed to be hung in the midship section. As soon as the tide bad run down to first quarter-ebh she swung violently round till her head was at right angles to the coast line. The impression gained ground that the vessel was leaking, and the passengers became urgent in their entreaties to be taken off the ship. Towards sundown the Adelaide was hauled alongside, and took on board the Duke of Manchester and some other saloon passengers, with the intern tion of steaming towards the North-West Bluff to intercept the departure of the Lady Diana. This had such an effect on the remaining passengers that when the Adelaide was taken alongside the passengers made a rush, and in a very short time the tug was completely full. After sunset the scene was most impressive. Close to the rocky line of coast were more vessels. than were ever before seen in the locality. Some persona ashore set fire to the undergrowth, which emitted fitful flames, and sent up dense clouds of smoke. As darkness approached, the surroundings were most interesting. The long hull of the stranded ship, illuminated from end to end, formed the centre of a strange picture. The clang and clash of discharging cargo into lighters showed that the men were hard at work. Throughout the first night the crew worked hard and uncomplaining, seeing how much depended on their united efforts. On the second night, while discharging cargo went on as before, there was an appearance of change in the weather, and large, ominous clouds promised very badly for future operations. The leakage in the Sorata had been unwisely kept quiet, but soon it became a serious matter, having increased from 3 feet to 4 feet 9 inches in one compartment. As soon as the peop'e were safely out of the ill fated ship, it became known that her fore compartment was full of water, and that the injury to her bottom plating was so serious that there was little hope of her being got off. The third class passengers were safely put ou board the Adelaide, which had anchored a short distance away. The remainder were taken on board the Galatea. Thus the vessel was completely cleared out. As the vast ship lay on the rocks, with a slight port list, she was .lighted up as usual, but the corridors were vacant, save here and there where some person was to be seen rushing to save a trunk or a forgotten hat-box. As the tide made down it at first had but a slight effect, but after a little time it caught the vessel on the port quarter, and slewed her slowly round. A little later on there were some convulsions forward, and it was evident the vessel had opened out to such an extent as to allow a free passage to the .tide. The weather had completely changed, and a strong breeze brought down a*very short, jumpy sea, which, on the ebbtide, created much commotion. She lay completely end on to shore, with her bowsprit almost overhanging high-water mark. Under her stern-post there was plenty of water, but through the force of the striking and subsequent slewing round, her bows were very much raised. Dr. Lemon has kindly furnished us with the following telegrams : Cape Jervis, September 15, 9 a.m. No communication has been held with the Sorata this morning. The pumps have been working all night, but do not appear to make any difference. The tug left with the hulk for Adelaide about midnight. The sea is smooth. Fort Jervis, September 10. The pumps on board the Sorata are still at work, and the after hold is nearly dry, but it has been found impossible to reduce the water in the main and fore holds.