WRECK OF THE SURAT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19204, 21 June 1924, Page 10

WRECK OF THE SURAT.

■A! DISASTER OF 1874. OLD MEMORIES RECALLED, An interesting and beautiful addition to tho Otago Early Settlers’ Museum is tho figurehead of the ship Surat, which was wrecked near the mouth of tho Gatlins River on New Year’s Day, 1874. The exhibit, which has been remodelled with plaster of Paris and painted white, is of a singularly beautiful nature. It is in the form of a woman’s head, surrounded by a wreath, a veil floating behind in tho breeze. Tlio work has been executed by a skilled carver, and its beauty must appeal to the observer. Tho vessel, which was under the charge of Captain Thomson, was of nearly 1000 tons gross register, and was described as a fine ship. She was constructed of iron, and her value, including cargo, at tho time of tho disaster, was about £25,000. She was bound for Port Chalmers laden with immigrants, and included in her cargo was the machinery for a woollen mill to bo constructed for Mr Booth. The skilled workers for theoperation of tho factory were also on Jfioard. Tlio vessel is said to have struck an obstruction five or six times, and tho captain, to save the lives of the crew, beached her after vain attempts had been made to work the pumps. The news was received in Dunedin with considerable excitement, and a leading article which appeared in the Otago Daily Times of January 6, 1874, asked pertinently what business the vessel had in tliat locality on the night of the disaster. A graphic account of tho wreck was given in’the Daily ’limes two days later. It stated that the French man-o’-war V ire, under the command of Captain Jacquemart, was despatched three hours after tho receipt of tho news, and arrived at tho scone of the disaster at 6.30 the following morning. The 1* renc-hman found the vessel stem foremost on the beach, her sails flying loosely in the wind, and the waves dashing against her. Tho vessels Wanganui and Waliabi were steaming up from the south. Tho 307 passengers of tho . Surat were in a high state of excitement. Many were in bed at the timo she struck, and springing out of their bunks, they assembled on deck clad in the thinnest of night attire. Attempts to signal the passing Wanganui were stopped, revolvers being produced and violence threatened. The women were said to be frantic with excitement, waving _ their shawls and handkerchiefs and calling to the passing vessel. This state of affairs, however, did not last long, and the passengers and crow were eventually transferred to the Waliabi and the Vire. The Wallabie steamed over the bar at high tide, but tho Wanganui evidently did not notice tho signals. The former vessel proceeded up the coast and took tho more delicate passengers on board, sailing for Dunedin with all possible haste. The Vire, however, waited and embarked tho greater portion of the distressed people Tho Wallabie arrived in Port Chalmers some time before the Vire, on board which there were curious scenes. Women and children were assembled or. deck clad in anything they could find. Many of tho children were wrapped in grey blankets, and some of the men were wearing nothing but oilskins. Tho pasengers were not so downhearted as might have been expected, and the children were amusing themselves by playing with tho ship’s pet, “Pioberle,” a sheep which had shown sufficient intelligence to escape tho butcher’s knife. It was said that the animal drank brandy and was fast learning tho art of chewing tobacco. The immigrants and crew were, after being kindly cared for by the residents of Port Chalmers, taken to the Immigration Barracks by the Clutha line. An inquiry was commenced on January 9, and lasted for a considerable timo. lii his evidence the captain said that the vessel was 11 years old and had a crew of 37. He had not been supplied ivuh the requisite charts, and the pumps would not work. He admitted that he had been drinking and that when an attempt was made to signal the Wanganui, he had produced a revolver and had threatened to shoot anyone who hoisted the ensign without his orders. The court decided that the captain was blameable on several points, and that wrongful acts on the part of him and his officers had brought about the destruction of the vessel. His certificate was cancelled. Such is the story of the ill-fated Surat. It will, no doubt, recall incidents to the minds of some of Otago’s early settlers. As a matter of fact survivors of the wreck are still living m Dunedin. Tho figurehead of tho Surat will no doubt for many years to come serve as a reminder of the hardships which the early settlors had to endure, and their stewing qualities and indomitable courage.