The Wreck of the Fiji.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 5095, 3 October 1891, Page 4

The Wreck of the Fiji.

DISGRACEFUL SCENES.

The Age states that some disgraceful scenes occurred in connection with the wreck of the Fiji at Moonlight Head, near the month of the Gollibraud River. As long as the ship held together, the crowds of people who had gathered from far and ueaf could do nothing but look hciplcjsilj on at those who were dying before them for want of assistance, which, with all their willingness, they could not render. At last the life-saving apparatus from Port Campbell arrived, and the agony and suspense of ttuit awful time were o*er. Something, if possible, even more awful awaited them, however, for the breaking up of the vessel commenced. It held together as long as lift* was on board, but when that was gone the waves did their work quickly, and the cargo was soon strewn far and near. Schnapps and brandy formed a very large portion of the cargo, and hundreds of cases of spirits were soon washed ashore. The multitudes around soon discovered that drink was to be had. and down the narrow pathways of the high rocky headlands they crept Kick and forth like ants. All coming up carried bottles or packages or even cases of the spirits. jSo customs officers were in attendance, and the work of smuggling was carried on without restriction. All the rescned men, including the captain, were in such a state when they got ashore that they could not be removed, and so tires were lighted all along the beach for their benefit. It blew hard and rained hard, and a terrible sea was running, casting enormous quantities of cargo on the little sandy beach. Few assisted those who had suffered, and were stt!l suffering, all the agonies of shipwreck. The attractiveness of the brandy and the schnapjts swept ivway the feelings of human kind* ness, and the sufferers were left to care for themselves. The captain of the ill-fated vessel overcome with sickness, lay before tire on the open beach, exposed to the wind and rain, in the anus of one of his sailors who was nearly as ill himself, but with a heroism more than great he took ofl his own coat and wrapped it round his master to shelter him from the storm. That did not matter much to the spectators, who could allay all their troubles with the spirits they were obtaining by the very freest of trade. On Monday morning the sight along the coast was something to be remembered. Front the cliffs overhanging the beach the foreshore could lie seen literally smothered with wreckage. Toys of every description, children's indiarubber balls in thousands, bottles of schnapps and spirits, cases broken and otherwise were mixed together. The sea presented a similar spectacle, and it seemed as if the water had flooded some storehouse and was quietly receding. ITie smouldering tires, where the sick lay waiting for strength to climb the clifts. looked miserable and unsightly, and added a touch of desolation and ruin to the scene.

On all sides people came pouring in to view the wreck. Settlers. farmers, sightseers, and att with spring carts, drays. and baggies, hurried up in confusion to satisfy their curiosity, but soon joined in the general spoliation of the wreckage. I>veiy - one had a flask of brandy, and drunkenness became rampant. Those who had suffered shipwreck were regarded in a pitying way, but no one seeuied to think of assisting or tending them. Quantities of dynamite were washed ashore, arid one man, who hail evidently not beyond the regions of fear, amused himself by gathering quantities of it and lighting it in his hand. Alt this time the bodies of those who had been drowned lay upon the beach and looked a irti.istly sight. Drunkards staggered around amongst the corpses, the rescued lay helpless before smouldering tires, and rain and misery were over all. _ As the grey cold light of uioniina stole intipon it. the scene was heart sickening. No one would wish to look upon sttch a picture twice. It told too sad a tale of the frailties and sufferings of mankind. There was an utter want of supervision of any sort. One solitary policeman represented law and order. It was impossible for him to attend to everything. He paid what attention he could to those who had been rescued and to attending the dead. Customs and wreckage regulations had to look after themselves, and the drunkenness and disorder that followed was the result.