WRECK OF S. S. WAIRARAPA.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8106, 26 November 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

WRECK OF S. S. WAIRARAPA.

CAPTAIN McINTOSH AND 115 PASSENGERS DROWNED.

20 OF THE CREW DROWNED.

HEARTRENDING SCENES.

BOATS CAPSIZED.

Seldm indeed baa the Colony been plungad into Euoh deep and universal griot aa now poss-3£35s the country in every part. When iha newa of the wreok of the Wairarapa was made known tho thoughts of many, if no!; of most, naturally reverted to a similar calamity when, en the 29th of April, 1881, the f.s. Tararua ran on the reef off Waipapa Point, and 132 lives were lost. We can safely say that, since the "Tararua Disaster," never has so deep a gloom been cast over the whole community till the startling intelligences was received yesterday forenoon, from AucldanJ, that on Sunday last, about midnight, the Wairarapi, a fine s earner of nearly 2000 tons burthen had been totally wrecked on the north-west point of Great Barrier Island, known as Miner's Head, with tho loss of abi ut 134 lives. The Wairarapa left Sydney for Auckland on October 24:b and should have arrived on Monday, the 29th, but no anxiety was felt at her non-arrival on that data till the Birival on Tuesday, the 30.h, of the Rotoimhana, which left the same port 24 hours later than the Wairarapa. Th& wires were then set to work, and information waa obtained that the vessel had been sighted on the voyage half way across, and an accident to the machinery and consequent delay was the worst that was feared,— tho terrible truth came like a thunder clap.

The Wairarapa was bui't at Dumbarton in in 1882 by Messrs Denny Brothers, and launched the same year. She was a steel screw steamer with three decks, registered Al at Lloyds. Her gross register was 178G tons, net register 1023 tons ; 2050 he rse power ; length 285ft. 2in., breadth 3Gff. 3in., depth 23ft. 7in. The engines were made by the builders. She is a sister boat to the Manapouri, being built a short time after that vessel. Tjike her sister boat she was a guaranteed 14 knot boat, and her accommodation was of a superior kind, even in the fine fleet of the Union Steam Ship Company. It is indeed of the Wairarapa that Mr G. A. S.ila wrote, on hig return to England, as providing accommodation superior in style and comfort to any that he had found on his travels elsewhere, including the trans-Atlan-tic passage. We may mention that she was brought out by Captain Chatfield.

Of the officers, we learn that Captain Mclntosh joined the Company about 1879, and at one time was chief officer of tte Botorua, serving under Captains Cirey and Tozer. He had been many years in the intercolonial trade, bat we cSnnot learn with any authenticity that he was ever trading to Nelson. Mr Harry Judd, the chief steward, who, like the captain, lost his life, was well kaown here, being at one time on the Hawea. Mr Fenwick, the purser, who was saved, was also on the 'Hawea wben she was trading here, and is well known to many in this place, as was also Mrs McDonald, one of the stewardesses, who was staying in Nelson for some time on account of her hea'.th.

Flags, both in town and at the Port, were flying at half-mast.

The following are the particulars of the disaster :—

Auckland, November 1.

TheWairara pa ran on the rocks at the Great Barrier Bhortly after midnight on Sunday.

Captain Mackintosh, 112 passengers, and the crew are reported to have lO3Q their lives. At the time of the occurrence, the weather was thick, and there was a heavy sea.

From the narratives of the survivors, it will be seen that until the vessel actually struck, there was no sign of land, and it is evident that the captain believed he was on a safe course.

The place". where the steamer struck is known as Miners' Head, the most northern point of Great Barrier Island.

The passengers were] in bed at the time, but were speedily aroused, and life belts were served out to them.

Although the greatest alarm prevailed, and the scenes, more especially in the case of those who had children on board, were of the mott pathetio and heartrending character, there was nothing approaching a panic.

Immediately tbe vessel struck Capt. Mclntosh, who was on the bridge at the time, gave orders to launch the boats, but owing to the great list of the vessel and to the heavy eeas which were breaking over her <his was a work of great difficulty, and it was almost impossible to take on board any of the passengers as the lower portions of the deck were under water.

An attempt was made to lower the starboard boats, but they were capsized, and a number of those Who were in them were drowned.

Life belts were out adrift and were means of saving a considerable number by enabling them to support themselves until rescued by boats.

'Xhe majority of the drown appear to have made for the/bridge of the s' earner when the accident occur ied;\ add, to have remained ihere or in iVs vibjnhy tint 1 it was swept way by the force of tUo waves breaking on board.

The captain was observed up 1o the last moment at his cost, and as the bridge was carried away, fce was, it is said, seen to plunge into the sea, but was not again observed.

Apart from those on the bridge a number had sought safety in the fore and main rigging, and although the funnel was carried away, tbe masts remained in position and when daylight broke and the sea somewhat lulled communication with the shore was effected at great risk by two of the crew swimming ashoro with lines.

By t'iia means thoaa >'n tha riggin? were hauled tlnough the wafcer. and alt saceeded in effecting a landing save two, who le'.ting go their hoi I of t-ie rope, were swept away by ihe ourrent and drowDea.

Later

Names of crew drowned. Captam John Macintosh, ohief stewards W. H Judd F. McLean, steward, J MaoDonald, stawaid, Crouoher, Mrs MaoDonald, Misses McQuaid, Grimrod, stewardesses, W Monghan, baker, H Vear, chief cook, A Holmee, assisiant forecabin steward, Cooper, Jone?, J McGee, Murnell, Burkr, fireman, Simpson, MoLecd, E. Pi alt, sailors, MacDonald, Bbip's boy. Ths following is the litt of passengers saved :— (Owiog to tne fact that the ship's books and papers were lost in the wreck, it is impossible to give a complete list of those passengeis who left Sydney by the steamer) ;

Mr and Mrs Fergusson Mrs Volla, Misses MoKellar, Cave, Williams, E. Dickensou, Brown, Macllton, J, Hadwick, Annette, Paul, Hanua, Rev Peters, Messrs G Pairis, W F Roes, A H Fisher, P Wisharf, 0 Monogban, J D Breen, J Andrews, M Ambrose, J D Roteris F Kioholla, 8 Hardy, A J Lumley, G Stephen3on, J Levesque, J Harris, F R Grußging, TI Jolly, W Pearson, G Walker, A Black, Hioky, A J Dunbar, W Furguson, J Greenly, R Bramwell, Vella, 0 Langley, S Skews, Herbert, W Pouuds, D Madon, F Hastie, W B Geoghan, H J Chamterlin, A Haona, F W Varley, F W Leighton, D M Kober.B, T Gongb, A F French, T Corrie, J Aus in, J Pipe, J C Roberts, S Gough, T Corrie, J Austin, J Pipe, S C Smith, J Stewart, Scott. J F Fraser, M Cole, E Bett'.eton, J Cbaleyer, S H Harris, F Nicholson. M Boyd, J Perry, M Darton, M Hi 1, K Wheatley, A Hanver, W Wilson, Tackett-, Scell, W Brown, and Banser.

The following names should be added to those saved :- J. Wilmott, one of crew ; F. Wilson, boy who clears the brass ; G. A. Lucas, tha forecabin steward ; J. S. Gardner, third cook ; J. Haines and W. Hing, passengers.

In the above list the name of F. R, Gunszing should read Grunziog, and E Buttleion should fce Miss E. Buokleton.

Sydney, November 1.

Ihe following names of passengers on board the steamer Wairarapa have been as certained here (in addition to those published in the papers in New Zealand on Tuesday) : — Saloon : Master West, Mrs Baldwin, Messrs A. J. Dunbar, and C. Chapman.

Steerage; Mr and Mrs Vella, Mr and Mrs D. Harris. Mr and Mrs Butler, Messrs Bird, Stuckey, McKenzie, Melicie, Frency, Geenty, Terrab.li, Beregar, Martin, Martin Davis, Manderson, Howland, Bailey, Austin, Boss, 'Vong Chan, Chan Wan, Sin Wai, Wong Jun Jte, Heavey, Madden, Mulvray, Pearson, Veueke, Lyon, Haatie (2), Scot', Wishart, Lewis, Sinclair, Bromwell, Harris, Stanley, Donovan, Fisher, Koberts, Browo, Hickey, McMillan, Coogan, Ambrosi, Nicholson, Parrish, Stewart, Monaghaa, Walker, Clarke, Henderson ; Mesdamea Truckworth, Bosermrgy; Misse3 Perry, Whealley, Dalton, Pitcher, and Bosemergy (2).

Tee crew w<re shipped in New Z;aland It is not kno;vn whether any additional joined the vessel herd.

The local oflice of the Union Steam Ship Compinyhas received many expressions of sympathy from leadiDg ci.izens at the loss of the ss Wairar«pa Tne Admiral, in a message of sympathy, offerod to place H.M.S. Royalist at the service of tbe|Company.

The city wa3 profoundly affected by the ss Wairarapa disaster, and the railway accident of the previ'.us day paled into insignificance. Flags were lowered to half mast.

Most anxious enquiries were made at the Union Steam Ship Company's office by those who had friends on board, the newspaper offices, and the oilice of the New Zealand Press Association were all besieged by aDxious enquirers.

Mr J. C. White, who is mentioned as missing, is the father of the Hon E. H. White, M.L.O, The old gentleman was 85 years oi age.

Mrs Waterhouse is the wife of one of the School Inspec.oi'3 in tho country districts of this Colony.

it was Btated in the Hoosa of Assembly, that tte Gavernmam had despatched a message of sympathy to the relatives of these who loit their lives by the wreok of the Wairarapa.

A numbsr of the Wairarapa's passengers were transhipped from the German mail steamer and t. and 0. steamer Austral.

Hobabt, Povembu 1 1

The news of the disaster to the es Wairarapa cast a gloom over the city. All flags were half-mait out of respect to those who lost their lives.

Melbourne, November 1

The news of the loss of the steamer Wai> rarapa created intense excitement. All the flaga were lowered to half-mast. Three of tho passengers (Messrs Varleyand Charlayer, and Miss McKellar) were residents of Hawthorn.

Auckland, November 1

The wrecked steamer lies on a ledge of rocks, and is partially wedged into a portion of the cliffs, with a great deal of her top hamper gone, including funne\ etc. It is stated that if she should roll much, she will elip off the ledge into 40 fathoms of water.

The passeDgers of the Wairarapa held a meeting at the Albert Hotel, and passed a resolution regretting that the discipline of the boats was nos better, and orders given more promptly for the lowering of the boats. They commended the conduct of the stewards, stewardesses, and engineers.

The chief engineer remained at his post till the water got into the engine room. He afterwards got out|by the skylight. ; Many conflicting accounts are given of the conduct of the captain, but the facts will no doubt be elicited at the enquiry.

Many gallant acts of heroism are recorded, and the scenes of the deaths of the women and children are described as horrible and heartrending.

The Mayor has started a relief fund, and suggested to the Premier, in reply to a telegram of sympathy, that the best method of showing it was to give a substantial sum in aid of the relief fuad.

The Union Steam Ship Company have given a fit out ti such of the passengers a&d crow as required it.

Dunedin, November 1.

When the news of the Wairarepa disaster became known in town, businass was almost completely suspended, and the nowtp-per offices were lushed tot news.

Feeling refeiecoes were made to the disaster at i he gathering to say farewell to Mr T. L. Murray, Mr John Bjbartson said he tied no doubt others were upset with giief, Many of tbe workers, many of the seamen had friends t.nd relations in Duned n, and he was afraid that in the terrible calamity tiny had loss prominent citiz ns, Ml- W. Scoullar, his wife, and two daughters, not being mentioned among those saved.

Tbe following are paitioalars of members of the crew not among the list of the saved :--

Cap'ain Mclntosh was a single man.

William Henry Jadd, 50 years, wa3 one of the oldest ttewatds on the Company's books. He had been in the s s. Albion and the e.g. Hero, and served on the Botominana and Wairnrapa.

Allan J. MoLean, steward, single, 25 yaais, a native of Victoria.

Eiohard Crouoher, tt.ward, 32 years, married, resided in Auckland.

Charlotte MoDornld, sbtwaides*, 31 yoar*, widow, resided at Port Chain eis, with four children dependent on her.

Annie MoQuaid, stewardess, 27 yiarp, single, daughter of a fraitsier tt Dunedin.

Lizzie Grindrod, stewardess, 34 years, uoman ied, baloagcd to Me:boum>.

Hugh Moußgbcu, 41 years, single. Harry Year, cook, joined the stoamer &t Auohl.nd. Patrick Burko, sailor, 41 years, married, of •DunediD.

Wa'ter fimpson, Bnilor, 34 years, single. John MoLeod, 87 years, married, of Duntdin.

Edward Pra f, lamp-trimmer, 2G years, 'el gle.

J 'moa Cooper, 'trimmer, 34 jears, sinftb. bora ia Ecglttnd, but had a. home in Mel-

Eiia» Jones, 23 years, singl s, a native of Otagr.

John McGee. (rimaaer, 33 years, single, had a homo iu Sydnny. Charles Merrill, trirnimr, 2G years, mar ried, wjftf lives in Melbourne. Jds; MoDonald, saloon boy, and G. McDonald, deak boy, wira two brother?, atd their parents reside in Dunedin. The widows of married members of the crew who belorged to the Company's Friendly Society wil: « osivo £20 from the funds, and the next of kiu of ihe single members £10.

Chmstchrch, November 1. The newa of the wreck of the e.s Wairarapa rtided a paiaful sensation in Christchnicb and Lyttslton to-day, and all the news regarding the disaeter waa eagerly awaited. The Cathedral bells to-night rang muffled peal?. It ig believed that four of those drowned tame from Gbrietohorch. These were Miss Arkle, Mr Hill (of Wallace & Co, oherahts) and his wife, and Mr Willis, formerly an aseutant in the shop of the tame firm.

At a meeting of tba Lytte'ton Harbor Board this afternoon, a resolution was unanimously carried expressing deep regret at the lots of life occasioned by the wreck, and sympathy with those who have suffered bereavemenl thereby. The following letter has been handed to the Press :-^ Merivale, November 1, 1894. — Having only heard on my arrival this afternoon of the terrible catastrophe which has brought sorrow to so many New Zealand homes, I desire to lose no time in making known through the medium of the Press the deep sorrow wi-h which I heard cf the wreck of the Waitarapa, and in expressing the heartfelt sympathy of myself and the Ocuutesa o! Glasgow -with tboee who are now in mourning for relations and friends lost on Sunday in that ill-faled ship.— l am, yours faitbfuUy, Glasgow."

Auckland, November 2. The po'.iea are engaged in burying bodies abng the beach. Fifty more ooffins or sheila were tent by the Nautilus to-night, and 100 winding sheets and carbolio acid.

At the inquest en the bodies at the Great Barrier by Mr Palmer, senr, coroner, an op> n verdiat was returned to the effect that tLe deceased persons had met their death by being drowned in the wreck of the steamer Wairarapa. The personal property found on the dead will be retained by the polioe till identified.

One of the survivors, a little lad aged niaf, lost all hi3 relatives, and reaohed hero bereft of friends and everything. Another survivor (Mr FergU3cn, of Wellington), has kmdly taken charge of the little fellow.

Mies Williams had her head through a lifebelt, and her feet through another, and thus she floated for twelve hourp, until yjung Roberta plackily swam to her rescue. Although a Btrong current wa3 running he managed to g t her to the rooks. Fifty persons wtre taken across the rope from the wreck to the re oka. Two gir's loßt their hold of the rope. A man named Dunlop went after one to try and save her. He wa? badly smashed by the force of the waves, and lay unconscious for an hour. The girls were daahed to death against the rooks. Late this afternoon Mr Bray, of Onehunga, received a oablegram from Sydney that hiß son Arthur Bray, u safe in Sydney, and was not a passenger by the Wairaripa. This is tbe more renurkab'.e as one of the bodies found at the Barrier, was identified as that of Artnur Bray, and waß taken to Mr Bray's residence here. There has evidently been a mistake io. identification.

Auckiand, November 3. The Wairarapa's mails, including the English correspondence, have been recovered. The Postal authorities have recovered 83 bags of mails from the Wairarapa, and hope to get the remaining 17 to-day. The letters are mostly deliverable, but the newspapers are muoh damaged,

Mr Biss, Chief Postmaster at Auckland, haa telegraphed that fotty additional bodies havo been recovered, also two hampers of parcels. The officials think that if the weather holds good there may be some salvage of passengers' luggage, etc. The Postmaster-General has arranged to pass free by post letters on the business of the Wairarapa relief funds, sent to or from Mayors of Boroughs or other such public officers as may be decided upon to deal with the matter.

The fol 'owing are the identified bodied found at Barrier Island:— Robert McGee, iireinan ; Arthur Bray, Onehuoga, passenger ; Misses Scoullar (2), Dunedin ; Mrs C. Stewart, Misa E. Barton, Mr Warry, Port Chalmers ; Mr Spencer, Auckland, cabin pasfengers.

At the inquest held on the thirty-one bodieg in Maori Bay, a verdict was returned of found drosvned at the wreck of the Wairarapa. The third officer, Mr Herbert John-i stoo, was the chief witness. In crossexamination, he eaid that he did not feel easy about the position on account of the thick foggy weather. He spoke to the captain and asked him to slow the ship down. The captain said tbe ship was right, and was going on her usual course. This was an hour before the ship struck. The captain was perfectly sober then and during the whole voyage. After the accident he did all lhat a captain and seaman could and should do. During all the voyage the oaptain was constantly at his duty. The vessel was going about twelve or thirteen knots, the usual speed at which she traveled—from Cape Maria without slowing down or using fug signals.

Auckland, November 5,

The following additional bodies have been identified :— Mr Mark Dioksoo, a passenger ; a child, three years old, named Baldwin ; and Mr Charles McKinnon, a passe ager, belonging to Victoria.

The Wairarapa Magisterial inquiry is proDeeding. Sixt.-tn officers aod twelve passengets are to give evidence. Solicitors appear for the Unioo Company, the surviving officers, the Crown, and some of the vioSims.

The chief offioer deposed that he and the other effioers comulted with the captain aa to the advisablene3S of slowing down, the fog being so thick, but the capta ; n said he would go on to the Hen and Chickens and then slow down. When, as the officer esimated, the vessel was abreast of these islands, at 10 p.m., the captain did 'nob slow down. The offioers asked him to blow the foghorn, bu» he would noj, sajing that it would dißtucb the passengers. When the vessel struok, the offioer went on the bridge and saw the cap aiD, who was atoce. He was under the impression that the ve s 1 was on the Hen and Chickens, and siid goodbye to the first officer aod told him to save himself. The offioers did all ia their power to launoh the boats, but only two got away safely. The bodies of Robert McGee, the lamptrimmer; the youngest Miss Scoullar, of Dunedin ; and Mr Bray, son of Mr Bray, of Enfield, Sidney, were identified. Mr Whaley's body is to be oarried home. Those of Miss Rowbottom and Mr White are to go to Sydney, Mr Ba dwin's child to Wellington, Mr Murray's to Dunedia. A number more bodies have been recovered.

A meeting of citizens was held to-day, when the Mayor presided. A committee was i appointed to administer the Wairarapa relief fund, Bnd deal with u ge .t cases. At the inquest on Mr William Sjmonds, saloon passenger, who died on the ss Manapouri, a verdict of heart diEease, accelerated by lung disease, was returned. The widow takes the body to Wellington. The evidence of Mr Moyes, the chief officer, was continued at the Wairarapa disaster enquiry. He deposed as t j hia action on the steamer, and in saving life. He saw a life raft, with 20 people on it, float bodily to sea. At eight o'clock he asked the captain when he was going to moderate speed, but he did not speak to him again till she struck. DuriDg the day he saw the captain repeatedly, and would swear he was sober, and never saw him ohe woise for liqnor. In cross examination by HSv Jackson fa'iner the drift of hii replies \va3 to thow that if the fog horn had" been used the ech. es from the Great Barrier cliffs would have shown their proximity to land, j

Auckland, November (i

At the sa'vage sale of the ss Wairarapa tc-day the hull comp'eta was bought for £70 by E Ford, and the cargo for £160 by Capt. H, F. Anderson.

At the enquiry to-day the third officer, Mr W. Johnston, stated that between nine and tea o'c.ock he asked the captain il he did not think they were a long way outside the Poor Knights. He said they were quite close enough to them, and might ego them any minute on the starboard. At 11.15 he asked the captain when be was going to slow down. He e aid the ship was all right, and told him to keep a : harp Jook out for Mokobinau light on h,< pori si :e to seaward, lie said he had perfect confidence in his course. Witness StM hip pennfegioa Jo blow fte fog horn,

but the captain Eaid it would only fright; n the passengers.

Mr Ssoullar, of Dunedin, and Mr Sullivan, of Napier, leave for tbe Barrier to-morrow to search for relatives, the former for father, mother, and sister ; the latter for a niece.

Mr Whaley was buried to-day at Porewa, Mr Chamberlain, a survivor, being the chief mourner.

Chbistchtjbch, November 4. His Exc^l'eooy the Governor yesterday afternoon recaiveJ thg following cablegram from the Saoretuy of Slate for the Oolomea — " Desire to exprdfs regret and sympathy at shipwreck of the Wairarapa, and the great loss of life.— Eipon."

Sidney, November 4. Sir R. Duff sent a telegram of sympathy to Mr Seddon from Melbourne.

Mr Bray, who was drowsed in the a.a Wairarapa disaster, was a Sydney resident, and not a son of the Onebunga resident, who it is understood olaimed the body, under the impression thai it was bis son,' -vho is mill residing in Sydney.

Wellington, November 4,

The bells of the city ohureheß were muffled to-day, and sympathetic references were made from the pulpits respecting the s»d shipping disaster.

Mr Langley, one cf the survivors, who arrived by the Mahinapua, waa interviewed, bat adds little to what has already baen published, esoept that he Bays he saw no children on deok after the ship struck, and believes numbers of women and children must have been drowned in their berths, as their cabins, wbioh were on the port Bide, filled immediately the vessel heeled over.

A young lady residing in thia oity, was engaged to be married to one cf the drew of the Wairarapa, and on hearing of the wreok she sought in dreadful Euspense for news of her betrothed, only to learn that he waa drownej.

Dunedin, November 6.

The latest calculations of the Auckland manager of the Union Steam Ship Company puts the number of passengers on board the Wairarapa at 179, of whom 93 were saved, leaving 86 drowned. Twenty of the crew were also drowned, showing the total loss of ife to be 106.