THE WRECK OF THE TAIAEOA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7538, 15 April 1886, Page 3

THE WRECK OF THE TAIAEOA.

(Pun United Piuess Association.)

A SPECIAL'S REPORT. Wellington, April 14. The Evening Post's special reporter, who went down in the Penguin and returned this afternoon, supplies the following:—

The Penguin left the Queen's Wharf "at 20 minutes past 11 on Monday morning, and at about 4 p.m. reached Cape Campbell, under which we anchored for the night. A strong S.E. wind was experienced on the way-down, and owing to adverse circumstances we did not make the Cape as soon as we otherwise would have done.; Captain Bendall, Captain Williams, and Captain Allmau were inclined to the opinion that as it would not be possible to reach the scene of the wreck before dark, and as a heavy . sea was running on the coast, which would render work _ exceedingly dangerous, the best thing that could bo done was to anchor under Cape Campbell for the night and leave for the Clarence River early in the morning. The vessel accordingly came to an anchorage about a mile off the lighthouse shortly after 4 p.m., and a boat, containing Captains Williams and Bendall, Mr Grant (chief officer of the Ohau), the representative of the Evening Post (Mr J.R. Gibbons), and Mr D. Cameron—the boat being in charge of Mr Shepherd (the second officer of the Penguin)—was despatched for the shore for the purpose of ascertaining whether the lighthouse people possessed any information concerning the wreck. On landing, the visitors learned that the residents at the Cape knew nothing about the matter. They informed us that they saw the Taiaroa pass the Cape at ahou, 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon; that a north-west breeze had sprung up shortly before; and that the illfated vessel was bowling along at a good rate. One of the lighthouse men offered to lend us a couple of horses, so that two of the party might ride over to the Clarence River. But the distance was over 20 miles, and the track bad; and, as darkness was approaching, we decided not to make the attempt, as we should be able to reach the desired locality just as quickly by water. After inspecting the lighthouse and partaking of the hospitality of the principal keeper, we returned on board. Soon after dinner Captain AUman observed that a light had been waved from the shore, and believing that the keepers had obtained some information since the departure of our party, he sent another boat ashore for the purpose of ascertaining what the landsmen had to communicate. The signalling naturally caused some commotion on board, and everyone anxiously waited the return of the boat, which came back in less than an hour and reported that two men employed on Flaxbourne Station, which is situated several miles from the scene of the wreck, had just arrived at the lighthouse with a few particulars concerning the sad event. The men from Flaxbourne stated that the Taiaroa had ibroken up, and it was believed that three boatloads of people had left the ship. They further reported that they had been sent along the beach as far as the lighthouse, by the manager of the station, to see whether any bodies had been washed up. They informed Captain Ben.dall that when travelling along the beach they (came across three bodies.a lifebuoy, and aboat's mast and sail, but did not; think of looking at ihe name on the buoy. As they were about to return to the station, Captain Bendall instructed them to inform the manager that the Penguin would be along early in the morning, aud would take on board the survivors or any bodies that might be found in the interim. The Penguin got underway about 2 o'clock this morning, and travelling at the rate of 10 knots, reached the scene of the wreck shortly . before 7 o'clock. The Wakatu (Captain Wills), which had been telegraphed for from Lyttelton, arrived just before we did, and the Wanaka, en route from Lyttelton to Wellington, put in an appearance at the same time as ourselves. Some time before we came to an anchorage we had ocular demonstration that tiie Taiaroa had not broken up as reported, as she could be seen lying on the edge of the beach apparently little damaged. Her bow is to the south, sad instead of lying on her beam-ends as ■stated in iije first message received in Wellington oh Monday, she simply has a cant seaward. As we approached^ several men could be seen - moving about on the decks, and a number of others standing on the deck,.evidently awaiting ihe arrival of the steamers. Fra.m the fact that the vessel is lying close to the waters edge and appears to have sustained little damage, considerable surprise was expressed on board tlio relieving steamers that nearly all hands should have been drowned. The scene of the wreck is • abut a mile to the north of Waipapa Point, and ■midway between the Clarence or Big giver and a creek which runs down from the Kaikoura Tanges an the Cape Campbell side. The point forms the south end of a large bight, in which ihe sea is always said to roll pretty heavily, and an which one could well imagine a small vessel ■ would have a lively time jn rough weather. The gieople living in the immediate vicinity of the •wreck know very little of the as sione of them saw the vessel go on shor.e. There 5s very little doubt that when she stranded the ■ Taiaroa was hugging the shore too closely. Her : deck-houses are very little damaged, but there • appear to be several holes in her .bottom. All the charts and papers have been recovered and taken £>ri board the Penguin. Several articles belonging to passengers have also been recovered. Amongst these is a lady's handbag ■ containing two handkerchiefs marked "jane Fitzgerald." Captain Bendall believes that it is possible to get the Taiaroa off if she is not more damaged than he believes her to be.

PARTICULARS.FROM KEKERANGU.

. Kekekangu, April 14. Sergeant White and Constable Dew made a thorough search for bodies here, and Constable Smart, of Kaikoura, along the coast at Trolove's station. Dr Bedford came through from Kaikoura last night, and made a medical examination ready for the inquest. The Rev. Mr M'Ara is also here from Kaikoura, to conduct the funeral. There have been no further identifications up to the present. The body supposed to be that of Morrison, the fireman, is that of a much older man. No money or valuables were found on any of the bodies but that of the second engineer, whose - body was found in M'Quartier's boat. He had £55 on him. Martin, the passenger, had £49, and was supposed to be on his way home to Nairn, in Scotland, where his relatives reside. Martin had also letters, his discharge as a seaman, and Government correspondence relating to a lighthouse appointment. Up to a fortnight ago he was working on the Flaxbourne Station. No money or valuables were found on board the_ wreck, ..except the captain's gold ring, which is in possession .of Mr Liggins. The purser's books have been found in splendid order, but it is supposed that he had a large. sum of money upon him when he was drowned. His body has not been recovered. The body of chief officer Monkman has been identified by the papers on it. A ninth body was found yesterday at Flaxbourne, but it has not yet been brought up here, and it Is not known whether st is that of a seaman or passenger. Should ithe wind shift round to the norlh»east it is probable that all • the bodies will come ashore. The chief officer's body had on two shirts, from which he had evidently tried to extricate himself, as both were off except at one wrist, where the other hand clutched it in a fruitless attempt to unbutton the wristband. It is probable that ithe position of the shirts hampered him in his .attempts to swim ashore.

Among the money found on the body taken out of M'Quartier's boat, and hitherto supposed to be that of the engineer, was .a cheque for £2 ss, drawn in favour of the Union Steam Ship Company on the Bank of New South Wales, .signed " Erskine Galbraith." <

It has been ascertained that the total number on board the Taiaroa was 48, of whom 14 were saved. y Besides the nine bodies recovered, 25 bodies are unaccounted for at present. The body of the chief mate is to he removed to Blenheim after the inquest. The others will be buried here. The man already referred to as the engineer is supposed by some to be the purser, as a large sum of money and a cheque were found on him. His body wears the Company's uniform and buttons, and has a Maltese cross tattooed on the front of the right forearm, and a Union Jack on the other arm, the staff being held by the_ figure of a sailor having a .cutlass in the right hand.

Among the passengers was a gentleman named Murray, about 55 years of age, who was on his way from Nelson to Lyttelton to meet his brother, Mr W. G. Murray. The deceased was not long out from Home, and had been resident at Dunedin. Mr W. G. Murray reached Kekerangu this morning, the Wakatu having landed him at the wreck last night. None of the bodies recovered answer the description of his brother. Only one mail-bag has been recovered. The search by the Kekerangu postmaster for the remainder of the mails has proved a failure up to the present.

The bndy found at Flaxbourne yesterday is that of Mr R. H. Vallance, whose brother has since identified it. Among the relics of the wreck lying on the Clarence beach is a green box, with 'I ,T. Harbard " painted on it. The Taiaroa is now settling down in the shingle. The list seawards has increased fo much that the deck is flush with the water, and the waves are washing over her in all states of the tide. The steamer is in charge of Joseph JNantarrow, who has been placed there by Captain Br-ndall. No other mail-bags Jjave been recovered, but it is possible that they are under the cargo, which is all on one side of the vessel. Further search is to be made to-day. The coroner opens an inquest this afternoon, when the evidence of -H'Quartier will be taken. Gilbert Hutton left for Wellington in the Wakatu Jast night. Mr Gerald Fitzgerald, of Blenheim, the beach to-day for the body of his aunt, but unsuccessfully. No other bodies have come ashore. A*.bundle of\abont 30 lifebelts name ashore this morning.

SERGEANT GRANT'S STATEMENT,

The Wakatu is expected off Kekerangu Point at daybreak, with the steward to identify the bodies. She will take away the chief officer's body for Lyttelton.

Sergeant Grant is just in from Woodbank to give evidence at the inquest tc-morrow. He says the Taiaroa was going from eight to ten knots when she struck. The night was very wet and dirty. It was blowing a gale and there was a heavy sea on. He could just see the outline of the hills. The boats we.-c attached by a line astern, as it was thought better to wait for daylight before trying to land; but they soon capsized in the heavy sea. A rocket was sent up and blue lights burned to show the position of the .beaqh. ; After-.Grant swam ashore he wandered eight miles northward along the beach, and finding nothing or a trkek WP r4 back again, .ijiltim'ateVy' reaching Woodbank Station" »fj;er

going up Sandy creak under the impression that it was an unfinished road. Grant is a stiff built powerful man, and none the worse for his adventure. He recovered from the wreck today his own luggage and the Government- box containing torpedo fittings. .-

. THE INQUEST ON THE BODIES. The inquest on tbe bodies of Robert Boylo Monkman (chief officer of the Taiaroa), Alexander Martin (passenger by the same vessel), fiud three other bodies of porsniis unknown, was opened this afternoon at the Kekeraugu schoolroom before Mr John Allen,-H.M. (coroner), and a jury of six, of which Alexander M'Lachlan, manager Kekerangu Station, was foreman. The Union Company was represented by Mr Liggins, Blenheim agent. Sergeant White conducted the inquiry on behalf of the police. After the jury had viewed the bodies in the woolshed, the following evidence was taken :— Dr Bedford, Kaikoura, gave the result of the examination of the bodies as follows:— No. I.—Man apparently about 4-5 years of ago; large portion of left leg eaten away by fishes; name unknown. No. 2.—Alexander Martin. No. 3—Chief officer. No. 4.—Young man in Union Company's uniform, supposed second or third engineer. No. 5. —A young man, apparently a fireman. All the five raeu, he stated, had died by drowning. There wore no marks of violence save a fow scratches from collision with the boats or gravel. The Coroner inquired of the police if there were any marks of violence on the three bodies at Woodbauk. Sergeant White replied in the negative. One was the second mate, and the other two seamen.

The Coroner intimated that he should not hold an inquest ■on ■ those three, but requested Dr Bedford to examine the bodies and forward him particulars.

John M'Naught, shepherd, Flaxbourne, identified the body of Martin as that of a labourer working at Flaxbourne up to January last. He was a native of Scotland, and had an uncle named Thompson in Invercargill. Martin was a single man.

JohnM'Lachlau deiiosedto finding the bodies on the beach north of Kekerangu. One was in the boat, the others lying at high-water mark. None had anything in their hands. Two wore lifebelts. One body was naked all but the trousers and a shirt hanging by the wristband. He found several lifebelts scattered along the beach for 15 miles. He found no bodies south of Kekerangu, but saw the lining and bailer belonging to a boat and one lifebelt. The fastenings of the lifebelt seemed all right. It appeared as if it had been worn.

C. J. Liggins, agent for the Union Company at Blenheim, said he first visited the wreck at 1 ■o'clock on Tuesday morning, having left Blenheim at 11 o'clock on the previous moruing. The Taiaroa was lying 15 miles south of Kekerangu, with her starboard side to the beach, the bow somewhat towards the beach, about 10 yards from the shore, at low water drawing 6ft. There was a slight list towards the beach, which was gravelly with boulders. He procured assistance from the Clarence bridge, and at daylight and low water put a man aboard and ran a cradle along jl rope from the foremast to the shore. He went aboard and searched the steamer thoroughly. He found the hull not broken, but both holds were full of water. The saloon was gutted, everything being smashed by the sea. The officers' rooms under the bridge were in the same condition. The purser's room was locked. He broke it open and took out the ship's box. He searched for cash, but found none. He found no bodies. He left the wreck three hours before high water, when the sea was washing right across. Her holds were a mass of floating debris. The Taiaroa had four boats. All appeared to have been let down from the davits: She could carry 90, but had only 20 passengers and 28 of a crew. The following had been saved :—Passengers: Robert Henderson and Thomas Harper, in the captain's boat; Sergeant Grant and Mr Hutton, at Woodbauk; and Mr M'Quartier, at Kekerangu. Also George Thompson (captain), Duncan Campbell (chief steward), and seven of the crew; making a total of 14 saved. He did not examine the evgiue-room aboard. He could not say how v the telegraph was. Two lines were hanging aft. The Clarence bridge men had been aboard before witness went, and had fastened ropes from the mast to the shore to prevent her list/ ing. It was quite possible for such people to have altered the telegraph or done anything else, as they had the entire freedom of the ship. Witness collected the silver ont of the saloon and placed it with the ship's box on board the Wakatu for Wellington. The Company decided to abandon the steamer, which he handed over to Captain Beudall for the Underwriters' Association. The Company, as usual, holds part of tko insurance themselves. He could find no passengere' luggage on board. In the captain's room the .charts pf the coast were lying open, with, parallels upon them to keep them open. The fact that the captain and chief steward left the steamer proved no one was. then on board, as they always left in tlie last boat. There did not seem to have been much confusion at the time. Witness identified the body of the. chief-officer, and said the second officer's certificate had been taken from, one of the three bodies at Woodbank. Four of the passengers were women, and there were 16 men, besides one child. The Taiaroa parried a stewardess; ' '"*.-.i/.

The inquest was adjourned till 9 the following morning, by which' time the Wakatu is expected with the steward to identify the bodies. The evidence of the survivors Grant; and M'Quartier will be taken tormorrow.

The Coroner issued the necessary certificates for the burial of the chief officer and Martin,

MISCELLANEOUS.

The statement telegraphed yesterday about the underwriters refusing to accept abandonment has referpnee ouly to the cargo in the vessel, some of which was ex the Kaikonra. The steamer, which is said to worth £15,000, is insured by the Company in their own books, and that sum above £5000-had been written off. Mr John Harper, of Christchurch, who was saved, is well known in the JTorth Canterbury district, having for many years been a coachdriver on the Ferry road.

The Timaru Herald notes as a somewhat singular coincidence that the cottage which had been furnished by Mr Fitzgerald in anticipation of his wife's arrival was named Tararua Cottage. In furnishing it that disaster was recalled to him without any thought that a somewhat similar catastrophe would deprive him of his wife. Mr Fitzgerald has gone' .to the scene of the wreck.

(Ppa United Pbrss Association. ) Wellington, April 14. An inquiry re the Taiaroa wreck will be held on Saturday. The sale of the vessel has been withdrawn. -.'■■■ Captain Thompson has been presented with a valuable gold locket by the occupants of the boat rescued from the Taiaroa.