CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1123, 27 July 1865, Page 4

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

TREMENDOUS GALE IN TABLE BAY.

TOTAL LOSS OF THE R.M.S ATIIENTS AND SEVENTEEN OTHER VESSELS. (From the Melbourne Leader.) We have received, per 13oon, Captain Munro, from Mauritius, a copy of the " South African Advertiser" of the 20th May, which gives full details of one of the greatest catastrophes that has ever yet been witnessed since the settlement was formed:—

For two or three days previously the wind had stuck persistently in the north-west, with a gradually increasing swell in the Bay. The barometer, too, # fell slowly and steadily—an almost certain indication of a coming galf. On Tuesday, at nine a.m., it stood at 29.78, and remained at that point up to three p.m. By noon on that day the breeze had freshened into half a gale, and continued to increase in force during the afternoon and evening. At sunset there was every indication of a " dirty night," and the dawn of the following morning showed that the portent had been fulfilled. A lurther fall of the barometer had taken place, the wind had increased to a heavy gale, a tremendous swell was setting into the bay, and the ships labored heavily at their mooring.-;. . The mighty waves rolling in in rapid succession struck them with a violence that threatened to shake the in'ists out of them as they lay at anchor. The bay was white with foam, the waves breaking as far as the eye could reach seaward, and the thunder of the breakers on the beach would have drowned the roar of a park of artillery. At daylight, Bignals were made from the port office to veer-to a whole cable, strike top-gallant-masts, and point yards to the wind. These directions were complied with by most of the vessels in the harbor with as much promptitude as circumstances permitted. With the courage and hardihood characteristic of Cape boatmen, several of tho larger cargoboats were quickly manned and put off with anchors, and two or three vessels which had parted were supplied with extra holding gear. The tremendous sea running, and the wind, which came down in fitful gusts, rendered the management of the boats a work of great difficulty and danger. Still the boatmen persevered, and as late as half-past eight an anchor was run to the brig Esther. Shortly afterwards, the first fatal casualty, bo far as is yet known, occurred. Several large cargo-boats had already broken from their moorings and been stranded on the beach, when Charles Bryce, the coxswain of the police boat, went off in a dingy to bale out the boat and throw overboard her ballast, she having filled and being in danger of foundering. While doing so, he observed a Jarge cargo-boat adrift, and is supposed to have conceived the idea of boarding her and letting go an anchor she had on board. As he was making towards her his dingy was capsized; and, encumbered in Ms heavy oilskins, he was precipitated into the raging waters. He struck out manfully towards the jetty, and for 6ome time battled successfully with the waves. The passenger-boats had all been hauled up for safety, and there was none in readiness to put off. An attempt was made to launch a fishing-boat in front of the Sailor's

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Home, but it was discovered that there were no oars at band. At length a couple of lifebuoys were procured from the port-office, and a brave fellow named Maderosse, a man of great strength, and an expert swimmer, boldly plunged into the waves, and struck out towards the drowning man. Dipping his head as each wave met him, and then reappearicg in the trough of the sea, he was rapidly nearing Bryce, when the poor fellow, exhausted by his efforts, sank to rise no more. The occurrence created intense excitement. It took place within a short distance of the end of the central jetty, which was crowded with spectators, all anxious but unable to render assistance. None but the most expert swimmer could have possibly lived in such a sea. Maderos.se, after his gallant but unsuccessful effort, regained the jetty in safety. A subscription list to acknowledge his services has been started. Meanwhile the gale continued, and the violence of the waves increased momentarily. Shorlly afterwards the first fatal casualty to a Cape anchor boat occurred. Hitherto these boats have been able to weather the most violent gales in Table Bay, and have saved hundreds of ships from destruction. The gale of yesterday was, however, too severe tor them. The boat Stag, the largest boat in the bay, belonging to Messrs Anderson and Co., filled and sank. Tl>c steamers Briton and Athens both lowered boats in the hope of s iving the crew. The result of their efforts is detailed in the following letter from Mr Ricketts, the chief officer of the latter vessel: —" About half-past nine observed an anchored boat capsize, about three hundred yards from the Briton, the men clinging to the mast just above water. Seeing a boat put off from the Briton to their rescne, thought they were all saved; still, fearing the Briton's bout would not fetch, Jl jumped into our boat and obtained four volunteers, Messrs Hindmarsh, third engineer; Renari, quartermaster; and Richmond, A.8.; also Drysda'e, fireman. There was a tremendous sea running, our boat being nearly swamped running down to the wreck. We fetched the anchor-boat after the Briton's boat had left, seeing one man hanging dead in the rigging. We then pulltd for the Dane, and got fast astern o£ the Briton's boat. Whilst hanging on a heavy breaker capsized our boat. When coming to the surlace, Mr Hindmarsh'and myself succeeded in reaching the boat, where we clung till the Briton's boat's crew took us in their boat, which waa rove under the Dane's stern. Richmond and I succeeded in pulling in to the boat in an exhausted state, hue the fireman was stunned and went clown. Both boats' crews were hauled on board the Dane with lines and buoyß, and made as comfortable as hot blankets and stimulants could make us. Captain Smith was on bonrd the Athens and sanctioned my volunteering for the boat. When I left, we were riding with 90 fathoms on the starboard anchor and 40 on the port, steam being up. Our crew.s have been on board the Dune all night, having but narrowly escaped going on shore, the ship tailing the bank for several hours, and two barques having come on top of us, carrying off boats, jibboom, &c. I take this opportunity of expressing my thanks in public to Mr Harris, second officer of the Briton. for his assistance. His boat (filled with airtanks) while astern of the Dane, was stove, but still swam, after my crew were got into her. It was from her that we were hauled on board the Dane, the first officer of the latter (Mr Espinesse) having all hands aft with buoys and small l'.nes for our rescue. The boats were swept away almost immediately we were hauled on board. No boats were lowered from the Dane, she being so far to leeward as to render assistance out ot the question. Seeing no lifeboat out to render tho unfortunate m<>n on tfie wreck assistance caused me to risk our bout's crew, which so nearly proved fatal to all of us. The fireman who so bravely volunteered and lost his life was a swimmer, but, I fear, lost his presence of mind. The disaster to the Stag was observed from the shore, and the cargo boat Victory started from the North Wharf to save the lives of the crew, but did not reach her, although it succeeded in running an anchor to one of tho vessels in distress. The boat Prince, belonging to Messrs Bates and Co., was more fortunate. The crew of that boat were about to run an anchor to one of the vessels, but seeing the lives of the poor fellows in the Stag in jeopardy they made direct for her, and succeeded in caving t«vo, who with others, were clinging to the mast ; but the remainder wore already lifeless, although they retained with a death-grasp their hold on the mast and riaging. The Prince itself, while performing this noble 'luty, had its sails rent, and with difficulty reached the shore. The services of the crew deserve to be rewarded ; for they thought not of themselves or the profits they might have earned, but only of the lives of their fellow-creatures. The Stag wus manned by almost the best crew in the Hny. They consisted of Jack Collins, Joe Myers, Frank Maker, Nicholas (a cousin of Matthew Stevens), Dorninick (an Italian), Long, Peter (a Dutchman), John II«an (un Afrikander), Harry Sharp and Jack Shoemaker. Tho lattf-r two were picked up by the boat Prince. The others—all of whom nre said to have been marrkil, and to have hud families—have perished. In attempting to pass a warp to the schooner Kehrweider, the anchor-boat Providence, under the charge of Thomas Keogh, lost her mast. It snapped short oft a little above the level of the bulwarks. The crew let go their anchor, and the boat was brought up in the middle of the Bay, where she lay at the mercy of the waves, the sea making a clean sweep over her. After this no further attempt was made to run anchors. Signals were flying from all parts of the Biy; but the most tempting offers on the part of the agents of the different ships failed to induce the crew of any boat to incur the risk of almost certain destruction. About this time several cutters and cargo boats were driven ashore. At about eleven am. the brig G,i!ittea parted, and drifted towards the shore. She finally stranded on the sandy beach beyond the Castle, where she was speedily joined by the brig Juno. The next to go was the cutter Gem, which also stranded a little distance beyond the Castle. The cutters Walter Kelpie ami Libra, the former laden with guano, were also driven ashore—the Walter Kdplo hot ween the south wharf and tho Castlo. Shortly after striking, the Walter Kelpio turned over on her side. A seaman on board of her held on by the shrouds until taken off by a small dingy launched from the creek between the South Wharf aud the Castle, in which there ought to be,but is not, a boatslip,and manned by volunteers. The next vessel to go was the Star of the "West, a new iron barque, which arrived on Saturday with over 500 tons of coal and coke. She took the beach between the Castle and Military Hospital, stern on, and being in a good position, hopes are entertained that she may be got off. The next vessel that took the ground was Messrs Vandtr Byl's well-known coasting schooner Clipper, which dragged her anchors with her. She stranded just below the Castle, where she was soon after joined by the schooner Fernando, which put in on

BRAKDY,

Sunday last'for repairs. She was bound from Rio to Singapore, with a general cargo. The next victim was the Frederick Bassil, also a new barque of 341 tons register, and the property of her captain, Noab Glendinning. She took the ground opposite the hospital, where she lies quarter on. It is fearel she is a good deal strained. Her owner gave L4OOO for her only a lew months ago, and is insured for L3OOO. At about two o'clock p.m., the barques Deane and Alacrity parted and drifted down upon the steamer Dane, which both of them fouled. The Alacrity carried away one of the steamer's boats, and the Dean her jibboom. The latter lost in the collision her own fore and main topmasts. The Alacrity took the ground in a capital position beyond the Military Hospital, where she lies high and dry. The Deane drifted against the Frederick Bassil, against which she was in danger of being pounded to pieces. Her mainmast went over the side during the collision. _ She was, hmypver, subsequently hanled higher up on the beach, but went "to pteecß during the night. The barque Royal Arthur was the next to vo She struck near the South Wharf, but afterwards forged further on the beaih. Sue had on board a cargo of sugar. The schooners Benjamin Milter and Maria Johanna went about the same time ; both took the ground close to the Clipper. Later in the afternoon the Danish schooner Figilante and the schooner Isahel both came on shore; the latter near the Maria Johanna and Clipper, ihe former a little to the westward of the Deane. Shortly before sunset the schooner Kehrwieder parted, and finally grounded, broadside on, alongside the Figilantc. At this time the scene wns terrible in the extreme. Immediately before he finally sank behind the Lion's Hill, the sun broke through the barrier of clouds that had intercepted his rays durinpr the day, and shoae brightly upon the Bay,.illnminaiing for the moment every feature" of the rcene of havoc. At this time there were lying upon the beach, more or less dismantled, 15 sea-goiDg vessels, besides smaller craft; a tremendous sea was rolling in, threatening every moment to carry away the few vessels remaining at their anchors. The barque City of Peters burg and the steamer Dxne were dragging their anchors, and signalling in vain for more anchors and warps. The steamer Athens also was showing signals of distress, and letting off large quantities of steam, showing that she was prepared at any moment to put forth her full power. The Dane and Briton likewise had their steam up. The officers and men of the port department were engaged in taking off the crews of the various stranded vessels by means of lines from the shore, the vessels furthest out being reached by rockets fired by Manby's apparatus; and before dark nil were safely brought ashore, the tcreat majority of them in a state of utter destitution. There was every prospect of the g;de increasing, with a probability that ere morning should break there would not be a vessel remaining at anchor. Mr Andur3on offered LSOO for an anchor to be run to the Dane, and Mr Searle LIOOO for one for the City of Peterborough; but without effect. No boat would incur the risk. Directly afterwards the Athens signalised that hrr last anchor was gone, and'on such a scene the sun went down. After the sun had set, the fury of the gnle increased. The barometer continued to fall. At nine in the morning it had sto >d at 29.72; at three in the afternoon it had fallen six-tenths; and the most dismal apprehensions for the safety of the people on bonrd the vessels remaining in the bay were entertained. And but too sadly were those apprehensions realised. Alter losing her lasi anchor, the Athens endeuvore i to steam out of the bay. She whs seen passing the breakwater, under a full pressure of steam, and apparently making headway. Whether her engines broke down, or her fires were extinguished, or whether, when she got to the mouth of the bay and endeavored to wear to the westward, the tremendous sea that was rolling in overpowered her, is not known, and never will be known. But certain it is that at about seven o'clock she was carried broadside on upon the rocks at Green Point, between the lighthouses, and very rapidly broke up. The calls for help of those on board of her could be distinctly heard upon the shore amid the roar of the breakers; but the crowd of persons whom those cries attracted were powerless to aid. All that those on shore could do was to light a fire, snd thereby indicate to those on board that their peril wa<s known. There was not a rape nor lantern at the lighthouse; no rockets nor Man by apparatus within a mile or two of the spot. And yet for two hours a continual wail of anguish and appeals for help came from the steamer, which occasionally could be seen lying on the rocks broken backed,, but hlill above water, with masts standing until after nine o'clock. Fragments of wreck washing ashore then bore testimony that the ship was rapidly breaking up. About ten o'clock the cries ceased, and thick darkness gathered o'er the scone. This morning nothing remains of the vessel except her engines and boilers, which have been carried some distance from the place at which she is believed to huvc originally struck, and nearer to the Mouille Point lighthouse. All the way from the reef to the breakwater the shore is strewn with fragments of wreck. Even the masts and yards have been snapped into short leng'hs, and the lighter portions of the ship have been literally smashed into matchwood. During the morning, two bodies were recovered. Both were much bruised from pounding against the rocks, and both were stripped with the exception of und-'r-drawers, showing that before taking their final plunge the unhappy men had calmly prepared themselves for a last struggle for lite. The following is a complete list of those on board the Athens when she left the Bay :— Captain D. Smith, J. 11. Curtis, M.D.; C. Downer, first engineer; T. Brown, third engineer ; Mr Baker, second engineer of Dane, on board at the time •, Gorge Baker, steward •, W. Sharp, cook ;W. Chainey, butcher; C. Palmer, baker ; Louis Burchill, saloon boy ; B. J. LtißCombe, stewardess ; W. Doughty, cook's mute; J. Bernard, W. Butler, and J. M'Clintock, waiters ; J. Cunningham, carpenter ; D. Stone and A. Mitchell, A.B. seamen ; J. Leeson, W. Sutton, F. Young, G. Baker, W. Bagshaw, and J. Derrick, firemen ; G. Godbold, and C. H. Bennett, waiters ; J. Windebank, A. Corbis, and Robert Miller, ship's boys. While this tragedy was enacting at Green Point, scarcely less disastrous occurrences were tnking place at the opposite extremity of the Bay. Shortly after nightfall the City of Peterborough finally broke adrift, and about seven o'clock she struck on the reef opposite the military hospital. The cries of the crew for help could be distinctly heard, but it was found impossible to render assistance. Attempts to communicate with the vessel by means of Manby's apparatus was made, but without success, and shortly after ten o'clock she went to pieces, all hands perishing. The following is a list of thoso on board :<—Joseph Wright, commander, aged 39, of Lincoln ; Mrs Wright and child ; Joseph Keslake, mate, aged 2G, native oJ Devon; Titmarsh Coverdale, cook, aged 51, native of Falmouth : Daniel Williams, able

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seaman, aged 28, native of Swansea; John - Chamberlain, ordinary 6eaman, aged 16, of Lowegtoft"; William Jones, aged 2?,* able seaman"; William Smith, aged 27 (Swede) ; Henry' Rogers, aged '31/ of Donegal; John Crew, aged 26, able seaman, of Dublin ;'Wm Crozier, aged 21, able seaman, of Dublin; Wm Croziur, aged 21, able seaman of Sunderland ; Charles T. Pyke, aged 23, able seaman, of Liverpool; John Whitehouse, aged 22, carpenter, of Sunderland; John Burroughs, Edmund William Fenn, William Jar vis, and George Martin, apprentices, all of Wisbeach. The last vessel that was parted was the barque Royal Minstrel. She took the ground opposite the Hospital, in a good pusition. After midnight the gale moderated, and at five o'clock this morning the sea had so far subsided as to permit the rescue of the Providence by a fishingboit. They managed to keep themselves alive during the nijjht by lighting a fire on board. This morning the body of poor Bryce was found at the South WharJ. One hundred and ten seamen are now in the Sailors' Home —three-fourths of them being from the wrecked ships. Many of them are totally destitute, and the committee uro endeavouring to provide for them.

The following is a list of the vessels lost, with their tonnage and careo :—Alacrity, 317 ton, Capt Gough, in ballast; Atheriß, screw steamer, 750 tons, Capt Smith, cargo sundries ; City of Peterborough, barque, 300 tons, Capt Wright, cari»o wool and wine ; Clipper, schooner, 75 tons, Capt Carstens, in ballast ; Deane, barque, 491 tons, Capt Bratmer, cargo general ; Frederick Bassil, barque, 311 tons, Capt Glendining, in ballast; Fcrnande, schooner, 86 tons, Capt Giles, cargo general ; Figiiante (Dan.), schooner, 75 tons, Capt Cloete, in ballast; Galatea, brig, 104 ton?, C;»pt Kiugstan, cariro wood ; Gem, cutter, 42 tons, Capt Parow, in ballast ; Isabel, schooner, 97 tons, Capt Nelson, guano ; Jane, brig, 213 tone, Capt Picot, in ballast ; Kehrweider (Hamburg), schooner, 150) tons, Capt Haverberg, in ballast; Maria Johanna (Dutch), brigantine, 204 tons, Cipt. Driest, general cargo; Royal Minstrel, barque, 347 tons, Capt Andrew, cirgo flour; Royal Arthur, barque, .301 tons, Capt. M' Dougal, cargo sugar; Star of the West, barque, 386 tons, Capt. Ellery, cargo coal; Benjamin Miller, schooner, 26 tons, Capt. Ilempel, in ballast. The following vessels rode out the gale:—Alma, ship, 555 tons, dipt. Conn; Annie Duthie, ship, 471 tons, Capt. Mathieron; Briton, R.M.S., 1000 tons, Capt. Boxer; Dane, R.M.S., 500 tons, Capt. Waldeck; Echo, barque, 25G tons, C.'tpt. Henry; Jonquille, schooner, 47 tons, Capt. Stephen; Telegraph, schooner, 60 tons, Capt. Smith; Western Province, schooner, 35 tons, Captain Rewaldt; Esther, brig, 130 tons, Capt Buttschan. Of these, three are known to be injured. The Dane lost her bowsprit, and wns otherwise damaged in the collision with the D_'ane and Alacrity; the Telegraph had her bowsprit carried away by the Galatea; and the Western Province had both masts swept out of her by one of the vessels that drifted ashore. The crew jumped on board the B'.-njamin Miller as she swept by them, and cot ashore in her.