A Total Loss.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10568, 17 November 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

A Total Loss.

Four Beats and Two Rafts Missing. Steamers to go in Search. List of Saved. Auckland, November 10. Messrs Huddart, Parker and Company's steamer Elingamite, 2585 tons, became a total wreck off the Three Kings on Sunday morning. Fourteen of her crew and twenty-seven of her passengers were landed at Hohora, Mr Renaut, the second mate, being in charge of the party. The fourth engineer's boat, four other boats, and two rafts also left the vessel, but as yet (9.20 p.m.) there is no news of them. Later. The correspondent of the " N,Z, Herald " telegraphs from Hohoura that the steamer Elingamite is a total wreck, She struck the Three Kings during a dense fog, when steaming slow: Fifteen of the crew and S7 of the passengers; wbo were in the last boat to leave the ship, have now landed at Hohoura. Six boats and two rafts left the ship, but the boat inchaage of Mr Morrison, 4fch engineer, capsized, and her people were taken on board the boat in charge of Mr Burketv, chief mate. This boat landed at Hohoura at 12 30 to-day. The other boats have net since been heard of. Captain Beid, of Auckland, left in the first boat, saying he knew the landing at the Three Kings. The following is the list of the saved passengers; — Dr W. Middleton, Charles Watters, Dr. Beattie, Miss Cora Anderson, F. W. D|#dge, F. Ivliddlehurst, L. Godkin, H. Hiskinson, wife and child, Mr and Mrs Leefson and child, F. Farrall, F. Bowden, W. Hobat, A. Strangfellow, Dr. J. Bennett, A. Perry, Annie Hugo, H. E. Perry, L. Simon, Ante Kosadech, May Markotch, A. Parker, J. Patterson, J. Lawry, F. G. Passy, T. Daisy, J. S. O'Brien, M. O'Brien, L. Ford, P. McLauchlin, J. Anderson, E. George, Mrs Sully (dead from exposure), . The saved members of the crew are: Chief mate, L. Bufkett; second mate, Renaut: fourth engineer, J. Morrison ; assistant stewards, H. Rogers, L. Morrigan, and Pratt: .A.B.'s, F. Patterson, T. Tanner: Bosun, T, Coonan; donkeyman, E. Allen ; storekeeper, W. Foster ; chief and second cooks (names unknown) ; boy, Lennox. Another boy belonging to the stewards' staff, name unknown, was drowned, and seen amongst the wreckage. Christchurch, November 10. Sir Joseph Ward has received a telegram from Mr Renaut, the second mate of the s.s. Elingamite, conveying the news of the wreck of that steamer, and asking if a steamer could be sent in search of four boats and two rafts which are missing. Sir Joseph Ward telegraphed to Auckland instructions for a stoamer to be sent at once, also that if the Government steamer Tutanekai was anywhere in the vicinity of Auckland for her to bo sent on the search as well. Later, Sir Joseph Ward wired to Mr Eenaut, second mate of the ss Elingamite, " Deeply regret to hear of wreck of Elingamite, A steamer will be despatched without delay. Will do all possible to help. *In reply, be received a telegram giving the list of passengers saved (already received). Mrs Sully died from exposure, and the third cook, name unknown, was drowned among the wreckage. Wellington, November 10. The Secretary to the General Post Office has received intelligence from Auckland of the total wreck of the steamer Elingamite off Three Kings on Sunday morning. Fourteen^ of her crew and twenty-seven of, her passengers have been landed at Hohoura, Mr Renaut, the second mate, being in charge. They report that the fourth engineer's boat, four other boats, and two rafts also left the steamer. There is no intelligence of the latter. The Three Kings, the scene of the wreck of the s.s. Elingamite, are a group of islets situate about 40 miles north-east of Cape Maria Van Dieman, on which cape there is a lighthouse, and about sitxy miles distant from the North Cape, which is the north-eastern point of New Zealand, Cape Maria Van Dieman being on the west coast. The news j of the wreck was telegraphed from ! Hohoura, where the boat in charge i of Mr Renaut, the second mate, landed. Hohoura is some 33 miles south of the North Cape, and is near Ran- ! gaunu Bay, and west of Cape Karikari. It thus appears that the boat referred to had carried the occupants for a distance of ninety miles from the wreck. There is a telegraph or telephone station at Cape Maria Van Dieman, and that station is nearest to the scene of the wreck, but winds were evidently unfavorable to boats reaching that cape, but there is a considerable length of coast line where boats may have attempted a landing other than on the island. The North Cape is over 200 miles from Auckland. The s.s. Elingamite sailed from Auckland on her last trip from New Zealand on the evening of Monday, October 27th, in command of Captain E. B. Attwood, bound for Sydney. * It may be mentioned that another of Messrs Huddart and Parker's steamers,- the Tasmania (Captain McGee) was lost on the night of the 29th July, 1897, off the Mahia Peninsula, south of Gisborne, when 19 lives were losfc.

(Per United Press Association. ) \ Auckland, November 11. There is no further news of the Elingamite's missing boats. The auxiliary schooner Greyhound, H.M.S. Penguin, and s;s; Clansman have left to aearch for them. .-..,.. The officers who landed at Hohoura, hare been instructed by the agents of tbe-steamer to do everything possible for the comfort of the shipwrecked passengers. •' ' - Constant inquiries are being made at the telegraph office and the newspaper offices for news of tbe missing boats. 1 he scene at tbe telegraph office |when f the news- was officially known, wa.3 patbefcic in the extreme. A- large number of anxious men and women crowded theoffice eagerly inquiring fir news, which the officials were unable to give them. However, later on, a message same through giving the list of the saved, and aa the names were read out; there were some touching scenes. One lady, on hearing a name, exclaimed "Oh ! thank God !" and fainted from intense emotion. Otbersj on learning that their friends were stri missing, burst into tears, and gave way to uncontrollable grief. One elderly gentleman enquired with [painfnl anxiety, whether the names of a lady and child, which he gave, were not on the li3t. On being informed that tbey we.<e not, ho broke down, and had to be led away by his friends. — Throuhoui the night, similar painful scenes were witnessed. The passenger list contains the names of well-known citizens, including Dr. Beatlie, of the lunatic AsyJnm, Miss C. Anderson (who landed at .Hohoura), Dr. G oldie, Mr J . G. Ealph, and Captain Reid, of the Marine PepartmoLt. The Elinganjita liacl £e?enty steerage passengers.

The Elingamite encountered a thick fog at 0 o'clock on Sunday morning and the engines woro slowed to half-speed and the look-out and fog signals wore strictly attended to. The heel of the ship struck what is supposed to be the middle island of the Three Kings. All the boats were launched and the passengers were passed into them. There was no confusion. Boat No. 6 capsized through the striking of (wreckage alongside the steamor but^as far as is known all the occupants in it were taken in the boat which arrived at Hohorua. The captain stood by the vessel until he was washed overboard. After he was picked up by the lifeboat the captain proceeded to pick up several women and children who were in the water. Since then no news has been received of the captain's boat. Wellington, November 11. Telegrams received by the postal De- , partnienb state that H.M.S Penguin aud six other steamers have lefb or will shortly do so, to search for svuvi vors from the wreck of the Elingamite. The Zealandia, which left for Sydney, will be signalled from Cape Maria Van Die men to join in the search . The Government would ha ?e sent the Tutanekai from here bub ifc is not considered necessary. Mr andjftlrs, and Miss Green wood, included in theElingamite's passengers belong to fchis city. Mr Greenwood is licensee of the Al. Eotel. . ■ CnBisTCHUBcn, November 11. Captain St. George, of H.M.S- Ringaroonia, has informed Sir .Joseph Ward, that, if necessary, thß Kingarooma will join in the search for the survivors from the wrecked steamer Elingamite. Sydney, November 11. The Elingamite had a fairly large general cargo, mostly insured in Sydney offices, and also 850 tons of coal, a consignment of sleepers, and other timber from Newcastle owners. It is stated that the vessel cost MOJCOO, and since then £20,000 bas been tpent on improvements. ,She is understood to be replaced by the new staamer Victoria, due at TTremantle from London at the end of the present month.

The Elinganiite's ppssenger list Avas as follows : — Saloon : Mesdames Kobb and son, Greenwood, Jeffson, S. K. Neale and infant, Cassrells and child, Scottiog, Chadwick ; Misses Mabbe, W. Scotting, C. C. Anderson, Adamson, Greenwood, Skinner ; Messrs S. R. Neale, Wetherill, Gunther, Lesli", Beattie, W. W. Bradford, G. A. Hard wick, Bennie, E. E. Reid' Greenwood, A. Eichards, EL B. Chadwick, E. Wigglesworbh, J. Gr. Ralph, W. B. Hr things, E. Doidge, Hallamore, F., Flower, W. Bowden, Anderson, Jeffsou, Wisrgles worth, E. Waters. Drs Bennett, Goldie and W. Middleton/Capcain Reid, and 40 in steerage. The Elingamite's steerage passen- j ger were : Langavich. Prodan, Morris, J. Morris, Abbott, Wilton, Banks, ' Thompson, Patterson, Miss Dunn, ' Berry and wife and four children, Mrs Sully, Green and wife, Stringfellow, Jordan, Kobinson, O'Connor, Perkins and Middlehurst, Hasey, Jenning, Kennedy, Kelly, Christisen, Hankinson and wife and 2 children, Dixon, Palmer, Parker, Doorty, Markovitch, Turia, Fredericks, Bierot, Boesch, Eosandich, Passey, Sunic, Napier and wife and infant, Muirhead Chaploe Mills and Clark. A number booked aboard. The lighthouse-keeper at Cape Maria, wired at 1 o'clock, that the s.s. Zealandia passed too far off to receive the signals informing her to search for the missing boats. This it is feared dispels any hope that the s.s. Zealandia might have found some of the missing boats on her trip north. Had she ' done so, no doubt she would have steamed close to Cape Maria* and. have reported the fact. The following is t':e full list of the s.s. Elingamite's crew when she left this port recently :— Commander, E. B. Atwood ; chief officer, L. Bucknell: second, J. R. Ngut; third, W. Watson : purser, Chambers; chief enigneerj R. Fraser : second, H. Atkins; third, W. E. Sfcrott; fourth, J. Morrison; chief steward, W. Vines ; second, Hellis : chief stewardess, Miss M. Bowary; second, Miss McGuirk; stewards. W. Arkell, A. Litchfield, G. Harris, E. Lyner, J. Morley, L. Morrigan, H. Rogers, W. Simpson, Bray, A. Campbell, and C. Henrickson ; chief , r cook, H6l--lens: second, F. Chemings ; third, J. Beggs : carpenter, T. Colgan ; butcher A. Grey; firemen, J. Mulcany, J.Barrett, L. Marin, H. Dobson, W. Sullivan, D. Sullivan, W. Forster, M. Copeland. J. Eeverei. F. Martine, Mulcahy, J. Green, and H. Oakley; seamen, Messrs W. Dwyer, J. Danielson, W. Seymour, J. Jones, C. Eichardson, E. Mclnnes, F. E. Roth, J. Studman, S. T. Allan, G. Peterson, and O. Easmussen.

A "Star" special states that the boat in charge of the third officer included Mi- Renaut. the second mate, Messrs Morrison, O'Neill, the engineer chief, and the second cook, two able, and one ordinary seamen, the chief steward, and 32 passengers, including four ladies, two children, making a grand total of 52 souls. The passengers speak in high praise of the officers and crew, who behaved as true British seamen. < Hohoura, 4 p.m. There is still no sign or intelligence of the Elingamite's four missing boats and the two rafts. Mr R. G. Hallamore, one of the s.s. Elingamite's passengers not yet accounted for, is the chief clerk of the local branch of the New Zealand] Stuping Company, who was well known as a football enthusiast. \ Mr W. Gray, Secretary of the Postal Department, telegraped to Hohoura- to find out from the second officer if there was any possibility of saving the mails. Mr Renaut replied that the second officer's was the last boat that Jleft the wreck, at which time all the hatches were washed away, and the mails were floating about in the sea. He was unable to save any portion of the mails, as he was engaged picking up the people from the boat which had capsized. The mails consisted of twelve bags from Sydney, three from Brisbane, one from Adelaide, and six from Melbourne. Enclosed in these were two ; from Broken Hill and one from Strahan. Mr Gray was also advised , from Auckland that the s.s Omapere was about 'to leave for the scene of the wreck, and that a postal officer was sent with her. She is simply going to looK out for the missing boats, and for any floating articles, as it is not thought that anything can be recovered from the wreck. Mr Wa W. Bradford, one of the missing passengers, is secretary iof the Sydney School of Arts, and nephew of Mrs Ohantrey Harris, of Wellington. Several carpenters who have been engaged by Wellington builders were also among the passengers. .... . ....... Amongst the- Elingamite's cargo were fifty-two boxes of gold and silver, valued at £14,000, shipped by the Bank of New South Wales. . Crowds of friends besiege the telegraph office and shipping office anxiously enquiring for news. It has now been ascertained that the Elingamite's total of specie was £17,320, apportioned as follows:— £4,000 silver for Lyttelton ; £3,000 gold, £10,300 silver, £20 copper for ; Dunedin. -- . , Messrs Huddart and Parker's manager now states . that the vessel ,; was valued at £40,000, and insured; for £27,000 with the Maritime lnsur- .' - ance Company, Liverpool. j ; It is understood that a large por; tion was reinsured, The Company' 1

itself has [an'insurance fund, and as ; a rule, that is followed generally, insures . its steamers* to^ three-fourths their value, the balance A bcing provided by the Company's own fund The Elingamite was therefore practically fully insured. £^£S^^ .:« The first news to reach Nelson of the Zealandia having picked up survivors of the Eiingamite disaster was conveyed by an urgent telegram to friends of one of the survivors. This telegram being placed in our hands, and an extraordinary was at once got out from this office shortly after eleven o'clock in the forenoon, the good news being hailed with great satisfaction. Jusfc before noon, the Acting Chief Postmaster (Mr Woon) received a message from the Secretary of his Department stating that the number rescued was seventy, and that the Zealandia was expected to reach Auckland at four o'clock in the afternoon. At five o'clock Mr Woon received another message stating that the vessel had arrived with 89 survivors on board.