THE WRECK OF THE ROYAL ADELAIDE.

Colonist, Volume XVI, Issue 1605, 7 February 1873, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE ROYAL ADELAIDE.

The following is taken from an account in The Times of the wreck of the barque R->yal Adelaide, bound from Liverpool to in Wesb "Bay, near Portland, on the night of November 26th : — Ifc was too rough, however, for any boi(s to venfcuro out to her, and, besides, it was too clear tho illfated vessel must come to shore. Hn1 signal was answered by the coastguard at Portland, who threw up rockets find burnt blue iiglits with the object of showing the captain tho mo3t suitable s-pot to run his vessel ashore. It now became so dark that tho vessal could not bo soen ; but every now and then she showed blue lights, and each one told pLiinlyjßnough that she was getting nearer and nearer the bhbre. At last she came so near that her msst-s and sails could be seen standing from the gloom. In a few minutes she grounded, and then swung broadside towards the beach. She did not.seem to be more than 20 or 30 yards from the land ; indeed, so close did she appear tint it almost seemed as if those on board could jump to shore. Bub the sea was running so high that any such idea of getting from the vessel had to be abandoned. Tho coastguardraen in charge of the rocket apparatus were on the spot, bub before the rocket could be fired some brave Portland fishermen rushed into the boiling surf, and ultimately succeeded in throwing a line to the veesol. This they did at the very great danger of losing their own lives, aud how they succeeded in doing what they did was little short of a miracle. Their live was fastened to the stern of the ship, and while an impromptu cradle was being got in readiness to run along it, the coastguardmen fired their rocket, which carried a ropo right across the centre of the ship. What the crew should then have done was to draw in the line till they tho rops upon which the cradle would work, but in their excitement they paid no attention to tho second line, and risked everything upon the rope which had first been sent to them. The scene was now most terrible. The ship was rolling very heavily, and every now and then a wave would strike her broadside snd completely cover her with foam and spray. Before tho fishermen could send a cradle along their linn two men were seen clinging from the eide of the vessel by means of a rope. Their intention was to wait for a favorable opportunity, and then to drop and make for the shore. But, poor fellows! the attempt cost them their 1 ives. They had been clinging for two or three minutes, when the vessel made a tremendous roll townrds the sea. Not boing able to bjar the strain which this caused upon their hands they dropped into the water, and before they could make for the shore the vessel lurched over, as it seemed, upon them, and they were seen no more. By this time the cradle was in readiness, and then a man, next a woman, and then the captain were brought to laudTo make matters worse, it was ascertained that, in addition to her crew, she had between 30 and 40 passengers, many of whom were women and children. The cradle was again s')t to work, and, onu after another, the crew or passengers were landed in safety. In one case a man who had got into it. with a little boy arrired safe, but tho chill was drowned. A woman, to>, was also carried away by the violence of the surf before she could be rescued. Several little children, one after -the other, wera safely landed, having uome ashore without any ono's strong firm to protect them. Daring the whole of this time the s sea was dashing with the wildest fury against the vessel, threatening to sweep off the remainder of the people who were seen anxiously waiting their turn to come in the cradle, but afraid to venture. One by one the masts fell with a terrific crasii, while the sea began to pour through the sides of the ship, and it was evident she was breaking up. All seemed to have been got on shore, wit!) the exception of four or five, aud these would not leave the aiiip. Shortly after the masts had gone by the board, the vessel's biick was broken with a noise resembling the report of a, volley of musketry, and the beach was strewn with bales and boxes of all descriptions. Still the stern remained firm, and two or three people wore saved —oue brave fellow coming in the cradle with a littls boy. who was almost frightened to death. The man wanted to return to the ship to render aid, but the coastguard would not allow him. Tho last to leave wera two men and a little child, who all got into the cradle together, but, unfortunately, they were caught by an immense wave, which snapped i.he ropo asunder, and all three were drowned. There was still one human being left on board —an aged woman—who had refused to trust her life in tho cradle, but as the rope had broken, and there was now nothing to hold another line, she had to be left to hor fate—that of death. One negro, who it appears had acted very bravely in assisting people to get into the cradle, was in his turn landed, but bo severely injured that for some time his life was dispaired of. Large quantities of spirits have been washed on shore, and as the barrels floated in they were broached 'by the crowds wlio were assembled on the beach. In a short time scores of people wero lying about in in all directions dead drunk; indeed they had drunk so much that medical assistance had to bs obtained, and even now one man is in such a dangerous state that he is not expected to recover. There was a strong patrol of tho 77th Regiment and coastc.uardmen on the bea^h to protect tho property as it was washed on shore, but their efforts were useless, a great quantity of valuables being made away with. The Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, through their own agent, Mr. H. Dawson, of Weyruouth, have been most zealous in providing for the wants of the shipwrecked passengers and crew. Ha has fed and clothed them, and will forward them to their respective homes free of coot. Mr. Henry Edwards, M.P. for Weymouth, has placed £70 in the hands of the mayor for distribution ; so that every person— man, woman, and child—will receive one sovereign. Mr. Edwards also most generously informed Mr. Dawson that he could draw upon his bankers for any amount required. The captain of the Royal Adelaide has made his deposition at the Custom-house. He says he mistook i his course, thinking he was off Lulworth, instead of in the "West Bay, as the weather was so thick. Ho could not wear the ship, and finding she must go on shore, anchored about half a mile off in 10 fathoms of water, but tho ship would not ride, and drifted on shore. He estimates tho loss on the vessel to amount to £200,000, and the cargo to £800,000. He believes chat about 63 persons wero suved in all. He attributes the loss of the ship to tho hazy weather nnd the violence of tho gale. The owners of the Rc#al Adelaide are said to be Messrs. Greffall, Taylor, and Roberts, of Liverpool. ' At the inquest held on the bodies of three of the passengers, ovidenco was given that Cuptain Marten had no knowledge of the coast at all. When the ship was in peril west of Portland, he believed himself to be east of tho island, and off St Albans Head. The father of the little girl Bunyan and other witnesses proved that the captain called for a "passage for the woman " to get ashore, and then, when a passage was cleared, effected his own escape; Mr. Bunyan catching hold of him when in the cradle and saying, "you may go, but you are no man if you do." Marten was the fourth oi fifth to leave the ship. Woolloy, tho mate, however, said that at that tiuie 30 persons had got ashora. The jury wished to return a verdict of manslaughter against Marten ; but on the advice of the coronor, delivered an opmi verdict, recommending an inquiry by the Board of Trade inlo the steering of tlm vessel afler sighting Portland Lights, and into the conduct of the captain after the vessel slranded. The coroner told the mate that his evidence had been proved false in overy particular. The following is a list of the passengers who were drowned by the wreck of the Eoyal Adelaide: —Uhief Mute Powell, Edwin Ruddock, steerage passenger j John Edwards, steerage passenger; llhoda Bjnnion, steerage pussenger; Mrs. Fowler, steerage passenger ; Catherine Ir-.ma, a child, it is believed that there ib another missing. Four of the p'isstingors behaved with much heroism, viz., Mr. Frank Cumtuing (son of Dr. Gumming), Mr. King, Mr. Bryan, and Mr. M'Latchie ; but for their exertions the los 3of life would have been muoh greater. The coroner, Mr, H. Lock, hold an inquest yesterday on the bodies of some of the men who drank themselves to death. Tho evidence revoked tho fact that the unhappy wretches wore frantic with drink, and after drinking spilt ttud threw it about ia all direction*,