FULL ACCOUNT OF THE WRECK OF THE-BASQUE QUEEN BEE.

Colonist, Volume XIX, Issue 2274, 23 August 1877, Page 5 (Supplement)

FULL ACCOUNT OF THE WRECK OF THE-BASQUE QUEEN BEE.

ONE LIFE LOST.

(From the Coloni-it, August 9),

Although telegrams were received in town on Tuesday night, it was not general!' current in Nelson till late yesterday morning that the ship Queen Bee, Captuin Davies, bound from London to this pert, had boe<-\ wrecked on Cape Farewell Spit, and until a late hour laßt evening no reliable particulars of the casualty were known. On Tuesday evening, telegrams were received from Motueka, having been sent by the second officer of the ship, who had left the wreck f o seek assistance, by Messrs. N. Edwards and Co, and also by Captaiu Cross, the Harbormaster. The following is a copy of the latter:— "Motcteka, August 7, 8 p.m. "Ship Queen Bee struck off Fmewell Spit last night, at twelve o'clock. We left at four o'clock this morning for assistance. Ten feet of water in her hold when we left. Want immediate assistance. Have sent word to N. Edwards and Co. Distance from Spit light, six to eight miles south-west. "John E. Going, " Second Mate. " J. S. Cross, sen., Harbor-master." It will at once be seen that the information in this is exctedingly meagre, and the statement as to the position of the ship as there given was generally accepted by those competent to judge with considerable feeling of doubt, for had the light bore S. W of the

"\ ship the latter must have been in deep J water, and if the ship was S.W of the light \ she must have been in Massacre Bay, in a position that no vessel bound for Nelson . could scarcely be in. On receipt of the telegrams named, the Lady Barkly and Lyttelton were at once sent to the assistance of the wrecked vessel, as to which there was considerable anxiety on account of the number of passengers on board, and whose names we append:—

Saloon—Mrs J. Gibbs, Mary Gibbs, Kichard Gibbs, Louisa Gibbs, Frederick Gibbs, Sidney Gibbs, Ellen J. Gibbs, John H. Gibbs, Henry E. Gibbs, Luoy F. Gibbs, C. J. Beckett, Earnosfc Catt, W. A. Whyte, H. Hartle, Dr. Maunsell, Mary Maun&ell, Cirial Maunsell, Eily Mauusell, Eva M. and Emma Fosborry, and H. Hilliard. Steerage : Eliz. Pearco, Mary A. Sanders, Charles W. Cheel, Eliza Choel, Eliz. Cheel, Grace Cheel, Diana Cheel, William Cheel, and Ann Cheel.

Failing anything like full particulars, we telegraphed to our Motueka correspondent for any information learnt there from the second officer, and the following reply was received at this office:—

" Motueka, August 8. "The Queen Bee struck on theSandspit at 12 p.m on the 6th August; at 4 a.m on the 7th six men left in a boat to get assistance. They first called at the honse of a fisherman named Huffam, who with another person came with the boat's crew and directed them to Riwalca. Landing there they proceeded to Motueka ou foot, arriving here at half-past seven same nighi. They immediately telegraphed to the agents in Nekon, who replied that they would seni immediate assistance, and stating that the s.s Kennedy, oa the way to the West Coast, would most likely fall in with tbe wreck. The men state thera wa» ten feet of water in the hold when they left, but probably the passengers would take to the boats. The men left here this morning to proceed to the wreck." It was expected that one of the steamers would return from the wreck to harbor last evening, and in consequence great interest was taken in their return, a large number of people waiting at the port to hear what news waß brought. Our Eeporter took considerable trouble to obtain the most authentic information, and the following iB

THE SECOND MATE'S STORY. The ship Queen Bee left London on the 2lßt April, with baffling winds, which continued for five or six days; she then had fine weather till falling in with the N.E. trades. She sighted Madeira on the 9th of May, and light trades with fine weather continued till they were in 15 deg. N.; they then experienced light baffling winds till they picked up the S.B. trades in 2 deg. JS. lat., when strong trade winds lasted till they reached 15 deg. S. lat., after which strong N.W. winds favored them to the latitude of the Cape. They ran their easting down in the 45th parallel, and made the S.W. Cape of Tasmania on the 27th of July; they then had fine weather, northerly winds prevailing till they made the New Zealand coast, just south of Mount Cook. They then fell in with dirty weather, till they sighted Cape Farewell on Monday last, when the wind was from 8. to S.W.; they were abreast the light at about eight o'clock in the evening, which was then bearing about S.E.; they afterwards rounded, till their course was about S.S.E., and about midnight the ship took the ground the light then bearing N.W., and showing red. " It was my watch at the time, but both the Captain and Chief Officer had been on deck, and the latter only went below some five minutes before the ship struck, for the purpose of getting something to eat. The roar of the breakers was heard on board all the time we were rounding the Spit, and just before she struck one of the passengers came on deck with a glass, through which I watched the shore, and fancying I saw a white line like breakers, and told the passenger to look; X then went to look at the aznmuth compass, by which we were partly steering, as wo knew ours to be out. I had just done so, and gone to the weather-side, when she struck right on and stuck. I immediately ordered the helm hard-up, and called all hands. I then let go her lee main brace, spanker sheet, and main sheet,' when she swung off to the E, but she came; up again to about SE, and jammed hard. I then went to clear away the boats. She; was bumping heavily enough to knock one: off his feet. Got all the boats nut, and the! gun cleared away serving her with ten or a dozen rounds, and they were throwing up; : rockets and blue lights aft and firing guney but there was no answer from the shore. Soon after she struck, I found there was 4 feet 6 inches of water in the hold. I was, called aft to take the dingy and go to lock; for assistance, which I did at once. When' I left there was 10 feet 6 inches of water in'

her. After leaving, the ship I made Bark I ss: Bay, ifherieMr Jtfuffam and Mr Hadfiekl uTi'j rendered me every kindness and assistance. , mob They lent me a sail and came with me to ■°<-Motueka. Had it not been for them I could

never have the information to Nelson. Arrived at Mptueka I telegraphed to the rtgouta and to Mr Cross, and on receiving a reply ihat assistance would be sent, I sec out to return to the ship, we had a good breeze to Awaroa, off which place we saw. the schooner Merlin. She was standing out, and by her actions we thought something was up, and she then signalled and tacked to run down to a steamer which was coming up the bay, and which we imagined was one of the vessels sent to our assistance. The steamer proved to be the Lady Barkly. We went alongside the schooner, and on going.on board found eleven of our passengers, and shortly afterwards we were all put on board the steamer, which, after landing Messrs Huffam and Hadfield, made a detour round the bay to look for the other boats, and then proceeded on her way returning from the wreck," OTHER PARTICULARS. The Lady Barkly arrived at the scene of the wreck at 6*30 a.m yesterday, when Captain Cross boarded the ship. He found her abandoned, and the only living things he saw were a cat and four dogs; the latter he loosened; two of them we believe were greyhounds of the first pedigree, which, with two others iibat are drowned, cost £650. He then pulled down the ship's colors, and afterwards, together with Captain Scott, I Captain Walker, and Mr. Koss, the engineer of the Lady Barkly, held a survey, at which the ship was pronounced direlecfc. The whole of the ship was then uuder water, with the exception of a pprtion of the poop and forecastle; the masts, &c, were still standing; some cargo was then washing out of the hatches which were burst open, and the Ccibin had bein smashed in; the ship also appeared to be parting amidships. Had the vessel's course, it is said, been but one hundred yards further E. she would have cleared the Spit

THE PASSENGERS

"Whose names we have given abovo, remained on board till six o'clock on Tuesday morning, when the ship was completely abandoned. The passengers, with two exceptions, were packed into two boats, the life boat and the cutter, the former containing eleven persons was manned by three able seamen and one ordinary seaman; and the cutter containing seventeen persons was manned by one able, and three ordinary seamen. These boats left the ship with the Captain's gig, which including the other two passengers, contained fourteen souls. The passengers boats had no sails, and, we believe, neither instruments nor food, and nothing but water. It is said the men were prevented from putting some biacuita in the boats, the Captain remarking they would be ashore in an hour or two. The two boats kept company all day, but at about five o'clock on Tuesday evening the crew of the life-boat having rigged a couple of blankets as sail, went to windward, and made Awaroa, where the occupants, after enduring great hardships in a boat so damaged that the delicate women with whom it was freighted were compelled constantly to bail away to keep it at all dry, were treated with every possible attention at the station of Messrs. Kadfield Brothers.' They were afterwards taken on board the schooner Merlin, from which they were transhipped to the Lady Barkly, and together with the crew of the Second Officer's boat, were safely landed at this Port last night. Their names are—Mrs Gibbs and infant, Misses Gibbs (2) Mrs Cheel and child, Misses Cheel (3), Mrß Pearce, and Miss iSaunders. They were immediately lodged at the Custom House Hotel, and in providing for their comfort Mr Koberts, of the Panama House, showed much thoughtful consideration. However, the grief of several of these, divided from other members of their family with the uncertainty of their position, and the fear of something worse than a mere temporary severance, was too great for any but themselves to fathom, and their loneliness in a strange place, and just escaped, from the greatest danger, must indeed be most burdensome. The second boat is still MISSING. No more was seen of the cutter after the lifeboat went to windward of her, and with the crew of one able and three ordinary sea man, it would appear there was little chance for them beyond what lay in the mercy of the elements. In this boat were Dr. Maunsell, Mrs Maunsell and 2 children, Misses Fosberry (2), Mr Gibbs and 4 little boys and 1 little girl (childrenjjof Mrs Gibbs, who is now in Nelson), Mr Whyte, Master Hartell, Mr Cheel, and Master Cheel. The ' boat is not yet picked up, but still the weather having continued fine, there is every hope that the Lady Barkl/, which waa again despatched last night to fcearch for her, will be successful on her errand, and we trust that to-day will see re-united those who are for the present parted.

Captain J. S. Davie?, the first mate Mr Balie, the third mate Mr Mason, and nine others of the crew, with Messrs H. Hilliard and C. Beckett, passengers, occupied thegigi

{From the Colonist, August 11).

As we anticipated in our last ieisue, the p.s. Lyfctelfcon was again despatched to search for the missing boats aa early on Thursday morning as was found possible, and Captain Whitvvell, of the Charles' Edward was placed in command, and was instructed to search every inlet on the western side of the Bay to the Spit, or till she met the Lady Barkly, which left, as stated in Thursday's issue, on "Wednesday night with the intention of exploring the coast on thisjside as far as D'Urville's Island as it was supposed.

However.early in the afternoon the latter vessel was .signalled, and it was then more or less confidently hoped that her early return waß in consequence of having obtained some; tidings, but on her entering the harbor it was learnt that whatever was the cause, it, was not success. Soon after five this vessel I was again under way with the same object in view, but at the same time intending to run to Colling wood, &c. OTHER AID. On Thursday night Mr T. K. H. Taylorhaving got his yacht in readiness, manned her with a volunteer crew, of which some ot

the rescued sailors.of the Queen Bee formed part, sailed direct for D'Urville'a Island in order to thoroughly search that locality, and it appears his efforts were nearly successful in rescuing the crew, of the captain's boat, the which was accomplished by the, Manawatu. The same evening the Naval Brigade boat fully manned and provided with all possible requirements, also started with the intention of proceeding: iv the same course as the yacht, but so. far nothing is known,of her doings but we fear the strong weather which came on after her departure compelled her to seek shelter^ ■ WELLINGTON TO THE RESCUE. <■■] With the hope that everything possible might be done in the way of/endeavoring to recover the missing boats we, telegraphed •from this office to Mr Sharp, M.H.K., requesting him to urge upon the authorities in Weliington the necessity of following up the efforts made locally, and later we received the following reply from Mr Sharp:— . " Weixington, August 9. "Mr Sharp inquired this evening if Government would assist in the search for the missing boats and passengers per Queen Bee ? The Commissioner of Customs replied that the Manawatu, the only steamer to be got,' has been ordered to Blind Bay for that purpose. • , ■ ! . '

At nine o'clock last night a steamer's lights were seen from the Signal-station, and all interest .was centred upon her. It was known that it must be one of the vessels which had been out searching, and amongst the crowds of' people ;that' lined the Beach all was speculation aB to the extent of her news for that she had some, was felt certain by her early return, and afterwards by the fact of her burning blue-lights, although the latter undoubtedly was done lor the purpose of obtaining a pilot. At the same time it showed that the boat was the steamer Manawatu, and the apparently long time which was spent in getting the pilot on board waß felt a suspense by those eagerly watching. At length the s earner got down to the entrance, but she then cemmenced whistling so energetically that many feared she had missed the pilot boat, and as the light in that boat had not been seen since she passed the boat channel, some thought the boat had been damaged on the bank, and some cooeying from that direction was accepted as confirmation, consequently no time was lost in launching another of the pilot boats, and which, manned by volunteers was soon on its way to the, steamer, and it was then found that the cause of the commotion on board waß that one of the leading lights at the entrance had been out and the pilot, Mr Lowe, properly refused to risk anything by bringing the vessel in under the circumstances. We may add that the cause of the extinction of the light in question is a mystery more than the lamp was found with the glass broken and fallen in upon the wick. Arrived alongside the steamer, news was learned of the

RESCUE OF THE CAPTAIN'S CREW, with the exception of the carpenter, who was drowned by the upsetting of their boat, although two of their number were still on D'Urville's Island. Afterwards, by the courtee)- of Mr. Docherty, the purser, we learnt full particulars as to the doings of the Manawatu, which under the command of Captain Harvey, left Wanganui at 930 p.m on Thursday last, in consequence of instructions from the G-overnment; she crossed the bar at 10#15 Batne night, and came straight across the Straits to Stephen's Island, against a strong westerly gale. She reached the Island at IO'3O am yesterday, which she then steamed round, and she afterwards made Port Hardy, which was thoroughly examined. After leaving this place they proceeded on their circuit round D'Urville's Island. When, at about 2 o'clock, whilst they were off Jxile Head, they saw a fire on the beach, and at once stood close in. They then saw that the beach was a small shingly one surrounded by high cliffs, and under these were seen some men. A boat was at once despatched ashore, under charge of Mr Stanbury, chief officer, who with considerable difficulty, occasioned by a heavy westerly swell, was able in two trips to put 10 men on board the steamer from the shore. We may here remark that'Mr Stanbury and the captain and steward of the ill-fated Queen Bee are old shipmates, and it is a remarkable coincidence, that to the former should have been reserved the task of rescuing the the latter.

THE MEN SAVED REPORT that they landed at the place where they were found at about dusk on Wednesday evenig. Their boat, which was but 20 feet long, was bo deeply laden with its fourteen occupants that the gunwale was but just out of water, and that when they drifted to land she capsized, turning completely over upon them, and by this mishap they lost one of their number, the carpenter, whose body they were unable to recover. Early ou Thursday morning the butcher succeeded in Bcaling the almost perpendicular cliffi that Burrounded them, and'left to seek assistance. Towards evening of the same day the third mate also scaled the cliff, and he too went to seek assistance, but at the arrival of the steamer neither had returned. All Thursday morning they could see the Lytteltori away out in the Bay, but they were unable to attract her attention, and when the Manawatu came in sight it was altogether so suddenly, inasmuch a« she was close in, on rounding the.headland-was immediately upon them. '-.-■ \ THE CAPTAIN'S STORY. as to the abandonment of the ship varies considerably from the reports which have so far been published. He says that on Tuetulay morning when the boats were got out from' the ship, he had both life-boat and cutter moored under the lee of the ship, crews had'l been put in each of these boats, andalsp u tho; compliment of passengers iniandedfor each. That he gave strict orders that they were! uot to leave till he bad put officers in charge and done all he could, but' that 'they went; adrift", an d that it was t then impossible for; him to get them. back. He then with the1 remaining persons on ihe one< boat stuck by l t the ship, hangingottitill 4 piin.-on Tuesday,f when on account; of the boat being so greatly overloaded, he made ft raft on which he put ( ....,, ..„.; , ; ..i :,...:' h,,-,.i,' ■■■■: ■ ■ ;-;.■■; ->v.\ } \ (■■'>:(■ :■! -

'■Mr~-'.-Balie":an4 took the raft*ia rtoW;!aivd!drifteld' a^ay-from H ■tKd'wreck^^Thb'vm^^'-ttitfHflJ'^eroViip'f to Jtpeip armpnß^ria'.watiß^ their repeated entr.eatie.B,ilie ,topk f f<the!n i into <hiß boat and- cut thei*Ta»ft/adrift/r,ttiHißcb'dafr then sb overiciaafeatha^ ihgr^iin^iler waßtfbilti '^or.[Bqmejpme.\j^f^^^^^^ make iGrreyilie harbor,but;thfrbbat. wasiin a sinning:eonditioo, and he Bad! iftd !ib6a'ch; hfe~r. !lWhere1 they >itfiwiitfd^ - We/learnt from, Mpse : bii, siteamejr that the shipwrecked men are completely destitute of clothing, tho?e' that they had having been tdrri tb'ragsih their scrambles and exertions, arid we understand .that |a great deal of ramsacking amongst the stores of the steamer's crew was necessary before all could be temporarily provided forl "We are pleased, however, to say'that1 thisy are all in good healthj although necessarily mach fatigued and worn out by the hardships they have undergone,: and one of the passengers in addition has his feet; badly, cut about. The Manawatu left the boats crew's place of refuge at about 5 p.m. ' yesterday evening,, soon after which she. fell in with Mr- Taylor's yacht with the search party on board, and they were told of the steamer's having left two of the men on the1 Island, andjithey', Were requested to search oreville Spbor and the rest of, D'tjrville'« Island, in the hope of finding the other boat, which contained the greater number of passengers. The Lyttelton and Lady BarKly were also sighted under' l)'Urville;» Island, when it was blowing,very strongly. There can be no doubt now that to-day will be known the fate of the only boat . missing, for with the yacht and two steamers on the spot ready ; to .take up, the search; at ' daybreak, by which time the Sappho, will, also be in the vicinity, and as the neighbor-, hood of D'Urville'a Island is apparently'the , only place not thoroughly explored, the search is now .reduced to a, much simpler ' matter. There, is no doubt that the places '. which will be examined to-day are very : likely ones for' this boat to drift to, and \ although nothing has yet been heard of its \ occupants, it does not follow' that they are ] not safely harbored. Until the boats now ;j out return, and until a most complete search , has been made, hope muat not b« forsaken. STORK" OF ONE OF THE PASSENGERS'^ , THE LIFE-BOAT. \ ' [ ; j The life-boat and cutter left the wreck^ ii together, the crews being told to pull easy, | with a view that the Captain should overtake j and pilot them to tho land. These boats f kept well together for sojae time. The men ; in the life-boat after pulling for about six j hours became exhausted, and Baid, they ] wanted ileep, having been on watch when the ■* ship struck. One of them, known as Ned, t then took charge of the boatj and by pinning '; two blankets together he erected a sail, which carried the boat swiftly along. This' ] seaman behaved most nobly, working to the j very laßt, at the same time giving cheering j words to the females. As dusk came on, , and the boat was nearing the land, Ned took \ down the sail, and pulled by himself, \ although he exhibited signs of being worn f out. That night (Tuesday), the lights of a ( steamer (which, no doubt, was the Kennedy) j were seen bearing down towards them, and ] they raised shouts and criea in the hope of « attracting those on the steamer, but without ■, avail. Ked tried to arouse his comrades to ] pull for the steamer, but they did not feel i equal to the taßk. The steamer was again ' seen early on. Wednesday morning, and a ;, signal was hoisted, but without effect. When ] they landed at Awaroa, they bad been thirty- \ six hours in the boat, which leaked very " badly, having been injured when launched. ; What with the cold, wet, and sitting in a j cramped position for bo many hours, their \ feei were so swollen that they could hardly ( walk when they got ashore. 0n reaching j Messrs. Hadfield Brothers' house they found , no person there (the owners havina; before j started with the Second Officer for Motuuka) ( but finding some provisions, ate them raw, ' uncooked potatoes being eaten with as much relish as a schoolboy would the sweetest of ( apples. The females behaved most courage- ( ously throughout, baling the water out of , the boat, and keeping a strict look-out all Tuesday night. They left Awaroa again in , the schooner Merlin, but that vessel was shortly afterwards met by the Lady Barkly, which took the party on board and brought them to .Nelson. SALE OF IHE WRECK. In accordance with public announcement, Messrs. B'iarp and Pickering held a sale by auction of the hull, &c, and of the cargo of the ship Queen Bee, at their sale-rooms yesterday morning, and at the advertised time there was a very large attendance present, in fact one of the largest we have seen at a public sale. As Mr. Pickering, the auctioneer, was about to sell, Mr Acton Adams|, on behalf of Messrs. JN. Edwards and' Co.', agents for the ship, protested against Lloyd's agents, or any insurers intervening, as no notice ot abandonment had been given to them by any person acting on behalf of the ship or cargo, and they claimed that the sliip was not abandoned, but remained in charge of her owners^ and they would, con^ sequently, hold the auctioneers peribnally liable;. they also cautioned them against handing;over any monies they mightreceive; and they further requested that the sale might be deferred till four o'clock in the afiernoqnj in order to afford an, opportunity! ♦or the ps Lyttelton to return to port., { The! bidding commenced with £5 for the first and £50 for the second, and it then ran up by £5 ata time till it reached £345!forthe hull and £395 ,fbr the cargo. t ,, Mr 'Ha'd'dpW,' who, we u ,believe acted for /a company of several persons, was the purchaser. n

(From the Colonist, August 14).

Eaklt on Saturday morning, it was stated that the Naval Brigade boat, the Aurora, was in Bight, and by eleven o'clock it was being noised abroad that she had called in at Cable Bay, and reported finding the cutter with the balance of the passengers and crew of the'rQueen Bee at Mr. Elmslie'a station, near the French Pass. In a very short space of time the whole town, arid even to the suburbs, waa ia a bnu of joyous, excite-

-merit consequent on the welcome news which was beihg'&houted from one r't6' anqtheiy till :We" vVintd"f re" tMity" scarie^ Vsbul'' was ignorant .of,the fact., . As, soon as the report reached vi ire telegraphed to .Cable Bay for particulars;1 and' within-'twenty minutes of recSßiti'rig'Ja"Wpljj1' theI'fallowing'"Extra" from^tfiii'offi^^ ,

" Cable 12*47 p.m, August 11. "The Aurora found the mißsing" cutter at Elms'lie's1, French^Pass, yesterday afternoon. The following are't'^'e. particulars,r^--', ".' Left the Queen Bee on Tuesday morning

at 7 a.m., with 21 passengers in all. The boat had only three pars, which were almost useless; no sails, rudder, or mast, and ho water, excepting one bottle, which a passenger happened to, have, and three tins of preserved meat. We tried to keep on to the vessel, to* get rid of some of the passengers, as the boat was over-loaded, but could not, wind and sea being very high from the west. After struggling for an hour we had to run before it; when two-thirds across the the bay we found we were making no southing, and we expected to be blown seaward, the boat 'filling three times. Fortunately the wind shifted to N.W., and by means of a rug bald on by a brass rod, we made a little southing. At- eight' o'clock we sighted Savage Point, abovethe^^ French Pass, when the wind shified tp/West'again, which blew us to the mouth of Punai Harbor, where we held on to our oars all night, but had hard work to keep off the Shore. At daybreak we rowed into Piina Harbior and landedjojn the , beach, . where ,we made fires, boiled water, some of the crew went over, the hill to look for' habitation,'and fell in 1 with Maori settlement^ 'wberti they1 were treated with '! great' ) hospitality'!.? ~We remained at Punai, Harbor & till the following day, when we were rowed into; Elmslie's place where we were picked up by Aurora. Ten of1 us come on M the Aiirora^ and the remaining -eleveni'm1 a^'Maori bpiat."' , '~,;' '■ ,It would, appear! that the iate of the occupants of this boat depended oh a brass rod, for with a rug attached1 to one end of this rod, whilai the other was^ held by one of those in the boat, a sail'was improvised, by the aid of which''alone they were prevented 'being carried out to sea; ; They left!the ship with three oars only, having uo Bail,'and in the way of food' they, had but four tins of preserved meat, but it was afterwards found that a pint bottle of water had been taken iinto the boat. It.was not for'some time that the rod was discovered, and in the meantime they had been drifting to sea, but with jttie sail they made1 the land this side of the French Pass. After keeping off the shore all night, they ran their boat ashore in Puna harbor, where: they fell in with the Maoris, who treated them most hospitably, and they afterwards went acroßs; to Mri! \ Arthur Elmslie's place. ■ 'At about four o'clock, the Naval Brigade boat Aurora, with, some of the passengers arid crew of the ship arrived in harbor, when it may be said all .Nelson was ready to receive them ; for there must have been nearly 4000 people present. The Volunteers with the band were drawn up in line near the Pilot station, arid on the boat comingup the band struck tip "Home, sweet Home," arid such hearty cheers were sent up.as are rarely heard. The passengers having landed, " Praise God frbm whom all blessings flow" was played, aqd the Bey. Mr. Beckenham led off with the words, and the majority present joined him. At seven o'clock, the Maori boat, containing the rest of the passengers ' and crew, arrived in harbor^ and later the pa Lady Barkly arrived, bringing the butcher, who had been rescued from D'Urville's Island by the crew of the ps Lttelton. On Sunday night, H.M.S Sappho arrived with the other man left on the Island, the third mate. The ps Lyttelton, waiting off Bottle Inlet, had been joined by the Sappho, whose officers boarded the smaller vessel and learnt from Captain' Whitwell that his chief officer, Mr Begnaut, and some of his men were just going ashore to search. They returned to their ship and sent off a large number of their men, and after a long search, Mr Mason was discovered in a very exhausted; state by some of the Sappho men, notwithstanding that Mr Kegnaut and his men had been doing their very utmost. '•£ p steamers both left together, the Sappho LViL. ing Mr Mason on board and the LytteltWJj towing Mr Taylor's yacht. V One of the most noteworthy attempts tdl rescue the missing was that of Mr T. E. Hi Taylor, who, having just completed thel building of a small yacht, resolved on Thursj. j day afternoon last to make her ready for sea, and at once proceed to search for the missing boats. The yacht at the jime required a few finishing touches to the hull, and these completed, with the assistance of Mr James Calder, Mr Q-ibson; Mr Nias, and another (name unknown), a false keel was put on her and she was,; launched, a rudder was made between. 9 and 10 o'clock that night, and Mr Duckett turned 'out to make an iron tiller. The mast and gear of the yacht Lightning was rigged temporarily, and some ballast placed on board. ; Some provisions were then obtained, and by half past two on Friday morning a start was made from the Albion Wharf, her crew being composed of the following volunteers:, Massra Taylor; Walmsley, two sailors of the Queen Bee', Arthur Hunt, a tferman named Frank, and Mr Stewart,' who returned in the Manawatu. The yacht was steered direct for Port Hardy, D'TJrviile I'lsland. Bhe arrived off the Island about noon on Friday, spoke the Lady Barkly, and obtained some tea and sugar from her, three quarters of an hour afterwards spoke the Manawatu near Bottle Point, and she reported having rescued the crew of the captain's boat with the exception of two men left on the island and the carpenter, who Was drowned. In passing Bottle Point at night saw the fire lit by the two men, but on account of the heavy sea running, and it blowing hard, they were unable1 to1 land. ' They lay to about 10 miles to'windward of Stephen's Island all night, in the hope, of picking up the passengers' boat Bhouldshe be drifting: - ' At daylight sighted' the'Sappho,steering toward i the Spit, they, then'm^de all wl.for Bottle Point, armed within about a mile when they

saw the Lyttelton stop and turu ia, and thinking'sbfl'Jwas"picking up the two men, proceeded'to, i»6'rt j.Etardy ,to look for the c,utter. .Whilst searching, the'Lyttelton made towards them,- and ■ Captain Whitwell informedthem1 they'had found one man, and requested them to search for the other, and , kind)/ ' gave' supplies of provisions. They,then, determined to moor the yacht and-land, whereupon Messrs. Taylor and Walmaley 'jumped ashore with the aid of a pole) and then scaled' the cliffa on the inner side'of the harbor. They found the country very rugged and broken and covered with dense Bcrub. They reached the coast range in about two hours and followed the same along, sometimes crawling under and sometimes cutting their way with an axe through the undergrowth till they overlooked Bottle Point. Having found they could penetrate the scrub no further, they concluded'to return to the yacht and go in her to the Inlet, but had to camp in the buih that night, and the next morning, with great difficulty they reached their vessel and proceeded to the Inlet. When opening up the Inlet, they saw a man on the beach. They cheered and fired their gun, thinking they had found the lost man, but in a few minutes other men were observed; and they were at a loss to account for their presence' there. However, on rounding the point, they saw the Sappho lying at anchor, and then the Lyttelton close by. '•■ They ran down to the steamers, and received the cheering intelligence that the passengers', boat was .saved, and that the, crews of the , steamers were ashore searching for the other man, who was found ' some two hours afterwards. The yacht was then by the courtesy of Captain Whitwell towed into : Nelson harbor by the p.s Lyttelton. Mr, iTaylor has by his prompt action been put to'a considerable expense, arid it was with pleasure we obtained the above particulars of: his efforts, for not only together , with. the rest of his crew whilst afloat, but-also with Mr Walrnsley striving to make their way through the bush, an amount'of. fortitude: and bravery was displayed that has not been excelled.

On Saturday night, a meeting was held, at which resolutions were passed in recognition of the efforts • made' by the Naval Brigade, the ps Manawatu, Messrs. N. Edwards and. Co, the ps Lady Barkly, Mr T. E. H. Taylor, the Puna Bay Maoris, H.M S. Sappho, and others, to rescue the passengers and crew of the Queen Bee, and expressing the earnest thanks of the people of Nelson to all, those who had so nobly done their duty. Steps were then taken and a Committee formed lor the purpose of raising by subscription a sum of money to relieve the immediate necessities of some of the passengers and of the crew, and it was also resolved to request a parade of the Volunteers, and to his Lordship the Bishop that he would publicly convey the thanks of the people to those enumerated above; and yesterday having been proclaimed a public half half holiday, it was arranged that the expression of thanks should be publicly made during the afternoon. A PUBLIC BECOGKNTTION was accordingly made yesterday afternoon to those who liad taken part in the search. A large number of the sailors and marines from H.M. Sappho were landed, and headed by the band, marched to the foot of the Church hill, where they were received with a salute from the volunteer companies. They were then, together with the volunteers, formed into hollow square, and in the presence of considerably over 3000 people, His Lordship the Bishop, who was accompanied by the Eevs J. Leighton, Grace, Beckenham, and Father Garin, Judge Broad, his "Worship the Mayor, Messrs A.tkinson, M'Donald, H. H. Stafford, Greenfield, and others, stepped forward and addressed those assembled as follows :—

We are met for the performance of a duty which is agreeable both to the givers and reoeivere, viz., the public recording and offering of our sincere and hearty thanks to those who hare exerted themselves in the recent successful search for the passengers and crew of the wrecked Queen Bee. The circumstances being so recent, and about to be made the subject of a searching enquiry, it is not necessary in any way to remark upon them. We have already testified our welcome to the unfortunate persons who have : under these trying circumstances bean landed on our We hare already on the moment of landing, rand since then in all our places of worship, recognised [the hand of Divine Providence, and offered up our humble praisea and thanksgiving to Almighty Grod for prospering the efforts that have been made to search for the missing, and now we feel it is our next duty to express our warm appreciation of the endeavors of the various search parties which have < at last been crowned with complete success. Before ipartioularising, I may say that the interest taken in 'this, and indeed in any other similar event, when any human being is missing from the community, bears testimony to a fact which is one of the most satisfactory features of the time we live in. That is, the increased value set upon human life. We do not ask who it is, is it a friend ? Is it an acquaintance? Is it a man ? Is he lost on the ooean, or in the bush, or in the mine, that is enough. Every effort must be made, business must be set aside ; from the Queen on the throne to the invalid who can only hope and pray, every one feels, that nothing must be left undone to look after the missing one. This is one of the best of the signs of the times, and is a testimony to the estimate of the value of human life now entertained by the community at large, thus highly estimated, because of its immense capacities ior good. Another noticeable feature is the practical use that has been made; in this instance both of our regular and volunteer forces. We often soe them on a pleasant visit or;a gala day, or an amateur review, bnt here both forces are present, the one on a visit, the other as our own institution and there will be no question in the future as to the necessity of maintaining the institution of a Naval Brigade in thorough efficiency. We may notice the difference between what our apprehensions, would -have been, had this, ocourred some fiftyyears ago, the vory name of our bays, which we are • anxious to .change, and which deserve now to be changed, reminds us of the difference of the reception mejb with by the ships wrecked now and then, and we are thankful to record the difference in our apprehensions and in the actual reception. We felt sure that wherever our friends ware oast ashore they would meet with kindness and hospitality.1 Very different from what it was in 1830. Our rejoioing is not only on behalf of the passengers eared who were intending to lire amongst us, but for the safety of the crew, and under that name I include all who honestly labored either forthe success of the voyage while it lasted, or who rose to the emergency of the difficult circumstances in which they wera placed.' Public attention has been called to the condition of that of which' we are rightly proud as a nation, onr mercantile navy, and the enthusiasm being so great at home on their behalf, it ii not to be wondered at that wa should have caught it how and ~ .... ..,,,,. ". ■ - ••■■ii" ■• «■■> -

Entertained some anxitty tor their safety. Yei, let us assure the crew—the working men of the crew, those who have not shirked the work, those who have wisely taken the steer oar and landed our friends safely—that we would have made the same exertions to have saved them, for their lives are equally precious to us.

Officers and men of H.M.S. Sappho—l beg on behalf of the people of Nelson to preient to you our hearty thanks for the services you rendered. When we recently met you in social enjoyment, and with that respect and pleasure with which we welcome all her Majesty's vessels here, we little thought we should have occasion on behalf of thoße wending thoir way hero to ask for your help in such a matter as this, but we aro thankful to have such a remembrance connected with your, viait, and that you have been instrumental in crowning our cup of joy in finding the last man. I now call for three hearty cheora for the Sappho. Lieut. Gully, of tho Aurora—l can scarcely describe to you the satisfaction that was felt when you started on the search. .It ia only equalled by the gratification, that after a difficult and Bomewhat perilous voyage you have come across the landing place of one of the boats, and that you had the satisfaction of bringing to Nelson a large party of the shipwrecked, who were welcomed with the more enthusiasm that they came in your boat. I think it due to the absent to say that your late Captain (Richardson) would, I am sure, have been with you had ho not been far away out of hearing at his run, and it will at all events be a satisfaction to him to know that his Brigade did so well in his absence. In the name of the people of Nelson, I thank you, and have much pleasure in presenting you with thia copy of the resolution passed by the Committee. To Mr Taylor and Mr Walmsley, although absont, I have muoh pleasure in offering the thanks of the community for their hearty efforts to make the search effectual. They went out when every additional searcher was regarded as a valuable helper to the force, and notwithstanding circumstances as to the unreadiness of their boat, which might have formed an excuse for anyone less resolute. For them I call for three hearty cheers. The steam ship Manawatu, the owners of the Lyfctelton and Lady Barkly—in the absence of any representative of theae boats, I have muoh pleasure in handing to you, Mr Mayor, the thanks of the community, expressed in thia resolution, for the efforts they have made, &nd our congratulations on their success. We bear in mind that those deserve our hearty thanks who have searched, quite independently of the particular success of that search, which, of course, depends on many circumstances, and therefore we thank those who have heartily searched, aB heartily as we should have done had they actually brought home the rescued. We record with satisfaction that oue of the orew of the Lyttelton, commanded by Captain Whitwell, named James Michael Nilan, exhibited great courage in going to the rescue of the last but one, and brought him safely through the surf. Kene Hoihoi, and Maoris of Bangitoto Island—lt gives us the liveliest pleasure to see you amongst us, to thank you for your disinterestedness and Christian kindness to the shipwrecked party. You have entertained them most kindly ; it was your voice that they heard after the perils of the deep ; and they found amongst you a sincere, generous, and liberal welcome, and not only so but you brought them safe, with an amount of attentiou that made them feel at once amjricr Irietv's, so that, in future should any be so unfortunate »s lo be wivcke'i, they will bles* the gnle thut curries t-'irm mlo tii« li-ui.is oi i.-.« Minim. L will caii on t.he iifv Air vino , ymir clmplain. to reud 1 his resolution in your own u,ng\m. Mr Grace having interpreted the Bishop's remarks, and read the resolution in Maori, three hearty cheers were given for them.

Hearty clieers were given for tlie various parties who assisted in the search; for his Lordship the Bishop, and others, and the "National Anthem" terminated the proceedings. OTHEE PROCEEDINGS.

Tea Meeting- to the Ceew of the Queen Bee. —The crew of the Queen Bee were last evening entertained to tea in tiie Congregational Church by a few friends connected with the body worshipping there. The whole crew, with one or two exceptions, were present, and enjoyed a hearty tea prepared and Borved by several of the ladies of the congregation, while a considerable number of friends from other congregations, and from the country were also present. The Rev. John Becknnham in his usual earnest manner, appealed to the men to learn the lesson of God's care for his creatures in their rescue from the imminent peril in whioh they recently stood, and to live for the future livea that will be an evidence to the world that the lesson has not been without its effect upon them. The rev. gentleman said that while the men conducted themselves with sobriety, and behaved themselves as honest and well-livirg citizens ought, they should never want a friand in Nelson to stand between them and want or trouble, but that a meal would be at their service, or good counsel whenever in the Providence of Gf-od Buch may be wanted. He then gave thorn an invitation to attend the meeting to be held at once in the Temper-

ance Hall, to which they reaponded to a man,

Several choice and sacred pieces were Bung by the choir The meeting in the Temperance Hall was a great success, and was attended by a very large nnmber of people, the building being filled in every part —gallery and ante-rooms included. Mr Q-oulstone was

ones who " manned" the kettles began to find their hands full, and before the tablet were removed 500 of the " resoued, rescuers, and all sympathisers in the great calamity" which has excited us all during the past ten days had partaken of a hearty well-prepared tea. The posters advertising the meeting announced a promenade concert to be given by the: orew of H.M.S. Bappho after tea, and the- public of Nelson are certainly indebted to those gallant fellows for the very enjoyable entertainment they gave. The work in connection with the meeting was largely shared in by the man-of-war's men—the platform having been built by them and tastefully curtained with a number of flags from their own vessel, kindly, lent by Captain Digby, while the clearing of the hall after tea was accomplished by them and our townsmen who had so kindly assisted in the preparations, in an incredibly short time. After the hall was ready the concert commenced. Mr H Best, the ship's corporal of the Sappho, was chairman, and opened the business in a short speech, craving the indulgence of the audience for his shipmates, from whom nothing like a professional performance was to be expected, but they would do their best. The programme, of songs and recitations wa*" then gone through, beginning with " The Union Jack of Old England," by George Jones, followed in rapid succession by the vooal efforts of Hill (comic), Lee, Wheatley (whoße song of " The Charity Girl" was vociferously applauded), Letts (the possessor of a fine baritone voice well displayed in '* The Skipper and his Boy," and equally useful to him in comio and pathetic), the singer of " Pat Molloy," whose name we missed, and Greenslade, who pitched his pretty little ballad of "Daisy Dean" too high for even his extraordinary range, a fault that occurred with several of the Bongs through j the singers being unacoustomed to so large a hall; and the elocutionary contributions of Heath .(who set the house in a roar with an amusing story of Pat on board a man-of-war), Bramley and Sinclair (both well given pieces well received), and Whflatley (who got his audience on the laugh with Gilbert's ever fresh "Cruise of the Nancy Brig"). The .Rev. John Beckenham also gave a reading, and at intervals in the programme the Nelson Brass Band gave selections in their usual excellent style. Totes of thanks given in cheers were accorded to all who had contributed to the success of the meeting, which was brought to a close at about ten o'clock. We cannot conolnde without noticing the efforts of Bey, J. Beckonham to make the affair a success; during the week he has Bpared neither time nor pains in doing the preparatory work outside that devolving upon Mr and Mrs Stevenson, and it must be gratifying to him to be able to hand over to the Queen Bee Relief Fund a considerable sum as the proceeds, £17 of which was taken in hard cash at the door, besides what has to be handed in by parties who took tickets for sale.