WRECK OF THE LONDON.

Timaru Herald, Volume IV, Issue 98, 30 March 1866, Page 2

WRECK OF THE LONDON.

LOSS OF 220 LIVES. [From the Home Xeicß.~\ The month of January, 18G6, will be long remembered as one of disaster and sorrow. During the past threa weeks nearly every day has brought tidings of wreck and loss of life to our shores. Amidst all these disasters, nothing 1 equals m tragical interest the fate of the London, an Australian packet ship, which foundered

on Thursday, January 11, m the Bay of Biscay, with a loss "of 220 lives. The fame this fine vessel had acq\iired as a passenger ship — partly owing to the fact of her last outward trip being made m 59 days — was m itself calculated to dispel all anxiety on her behalf, even during the late tempestuous weather, and it is believed that her owners and underwriters concerned were least of all prepared for the terrible disaster that has happened to her. It is a remarkable fact, moreover, that the London is the first ship belonging to the famous house of Money WigTam and Sons to which any serious casualty has occurred. In a century's experience, Messrs. Wigram have enjoj'ed a perfect immunity from loss, with the single exception of the True Britain, which belonged to a former generation of the firm, and foundered early m the present century m the same fatal bay. The subjoined narrative of the calamitous event, with its attendant circumstances, has been compiled from all available resources : —

The London, which has been commanded ever since she was launched from Blackwall yard, m 18(34, by Captain Martin, an Australian navigator of great experience, left the East India Docks on Thursday, the "28th December, and dropping down to Graveseud, sailed thence on Satm-day afternoon, the 30th, under charge of a river pilot. As the night was wild and' the wind dead ahead, the ship brought up at the Nore, and lay there during the whole of the following da\\ There were three clergymen on board — the Rev. Dr. Woolley, principal of Sydney University, and the Revs. Messrs. Draper and Kerr. At daybreak on Monday, January 1, the anchor was weighed, and the ship steamed down channel, still against a head wind, but making fair way. While passing outside the Isle of Wight the wind increased to half a gale, and Captain Martin deemed it prudent to put back and lay to for the night m St. Helen's Roads. On the morning of January 12 the London proceeded through the Needles into the open Channel, the wind being still ahead, but light. As the ship ran down Channel the wind rose and the sea increased, and a couple of hours after passing the Needles the wind blew a gale right ahead with a heavy sea rolling, which continued all the way "to Plymouth, where the ship arrived about noon on Thursday, the 4tli January. A sad casualty occurred here. A pilot cutter put off a small boat, having on board the pilot and his assistant, to bring the London inside the breakwater. When the boat was about 100 yards from the London a sea capsized her, and both the pilot and his assistant were thrown into the water. Captain Martin instantly ordered one of his lifeboats to be lowered, and with great difficulty the assistant pilot was rescued, but the pilot was drowned. The London came to anchor inside the breakwater at 1 p.m. on the 4th, and took on board those of her first and second-class passengers who had arranged to join the ship at Plymouth. At midnight on Friday, the yth, she proceeded on her voyage, the weather being at this time calm, with a light wind ahead. She had full steam on during the whole of Saturday, the Bth, and the voyage proceeded very satisfactorily until Sunday morning, the 7th, when the wind increased, and a head sea gradually rose. During the day the London passed several ships, and nothing occurred to create the smallest uneasiness m the minds of any of the officers of the vessel: During Sunday night the wind increased to a gale and the sea rose considerably. On the morning of Monday, the Bth, the ship was well clear of the land, and Captain Martin having ordered the engines to be stopped, set. his topsails, and so endeavoured to keep the ship moving slowly ahead. At noon on tliis da}', the wind having somewhat lulled, the engines "were again set m motion and kept steaming slowly ahead through the night. At Ba. m. on Tuesday, the 9th, while the captain was still endeavouring to keep the ship m her course by means of the screw, the violence of the gale carried away at one swoop the jibboom, the foretopmast, the topgallantmast, and the royals. These large spars were not wholly detached from the ship, but, hanging fast to the stays, swung to and fro with such violence that the crew were wholly unable to secure them. About two hours later the mainroyalmast was blown complete!}' out of its socket, and added to the general wreck. Captain Martin, who had not been m bed since the previous Sunday night, was not at all disheartened up to this moment ; but, as the gale continued to increase during the morning, with a sea already running mountains high, the position of the ship was undoubtedly felt to be one of some peril. Still, as the wind had somewhat veered round, the engines were kept steaming easy ahead, and it is believed that at this moment no person on board felt any anxiety for the ultimate safety of the ship. About 3 p. m. on Tuesday, however, a tremendous sea struck the ship and carried the port lifeboat clean away from the davits. All that evening, and through the succeeding night, the wind blew a very heavy gale, and the sea ran very high, but the screw was kept steaming easy ahead. At 3a.m. on Wednesday, the 10th, Captain Martin sent for Mr. Greenhill, the chief engineer, and informed him of his intention to put the 9hip about and run for Plymouth, and he desired that full speed should be got up directly. This was immediately done. In half an hour after the ship's course had been altered, she was again struck by a tremendous sea, which carried away the starboard life-boat, and the same sea stove m the starboard cutter. At noon on this day the ship's position was latitude 46.48 N., lrfng. 8.7 W. A very heavy cross sea ' was running, with tne wind now dead astern of the ship, which caused her to roll heavily. But no danger was even nowanticipated, and all through the evening of Wednesday, and long after midnight, the ship continued to steam slowly ahead, the captain and his officers remaining

steadily at their posts, and the passengers appearing to have full reliance upon the skill of Captain Martin to bring them saf«ly to port. At 10.30 p.m. on Wednesday, the shin still rolling deeply m a heavy cross sea, ana the wind blowing a whole gale from the south-west, a mountain of water fell heavily over the waist of the ship, and spent its destructive force upon the main hatchway, over the engine room, completely demolishing this massive structure, measuring twelve feet by eight feet, and flooding with tons of water this portion of the ship. Instantly endeavours to repair the hatchway were made with a promptitude and vigour commensurate with the imminent crisis. Every spare sail that could be got at, and even blankets and mattresses from all parts of the ship, were thrown over the aperture, but each succeeding sea shipped by the vessel tore away the frail resources of the moment, and not more than 10 ininutes after the hatchway had been destroyed the water had risen above the furnaces and up to (he waists of the engineers and firemen employed m this part of the ship. The lower decks were also now flooded with the rush of waters the ship was continually taking m. The chief engineer remained at his post until the water had risen above his waist, when lie went on deck and reported that his fires were out, and his engines rendered useless. Captain Martin, with calm conviction, remarked that he was not surprised ; on the contrary, he had expected such a result. Finding his noble ship at length little more than a log on the water, he ordered his maintopsail to be set, m the hope of keeping her before the wind. This had scarcely been accomplished when the force of the wind tore the sail into ribands with the exception of one corner, under which the ship lay to throughout the remainder of the night. The donkey engine was supplied with steam by a boiler upon deck, ana all the deck pumps were kept going throughout the night, and the passengers of all classes, now aroused to a sense of their danger, shared with the crew their arduous labours. Notwithstanding every effort, the water still gained upon the pumps, and the gale continuing at its height, cross seas with tremendous force were constantly breaking over the vessel. The motion of' the ship became low and heavy, and she refused to rise to the action of the waves. At a quarter after four o'clock on Thursday morning, January 11, she was struck by a stern sea, which carried away four of her stern ports, and admitted a. flood of water through the breach. From this time all efforts were useless, and at daybreak Captain Martin, whose cool intrepidity had never for a moment forsaken him, entered the cuddy, where all classes of the passengers had now taken refuge, and responding to an universal appeal, calmly announced the cessation of all human hope. It is a remarkable fact that this solemn admission was as solemnly received — a resigned silence prevailing throughout the assembly, broken only at brief intervals by the well-timed and appropriate exhortations of the Rev. Mr. Draper, whose spiritual services had been incessant during the previous 24 hours. At 10 o'clock, the ship still rolling deeply, an attempt was made to launch the starboard pinnace, but a sea struck her just as she reached the water, and she sank, leaving five men still struggling for their lives. As the ship was lying-to three of them managed to scramble up the sides of the ship, and the other two were rescued by ropes being thrown to them. After this the exhausted crew appeared indifferent to their fate, and no further effort at launching the remaining boats was made until one o'clock, when, the water having reached the main chains, and the ship evidently settling down, the port pinnace was got over the ship's side. Even at this moment the sea was so heavy that those of the passengers who were within reach of the boat appeared to prefer the frail shelter of the sinking vessel to the obvious dangers of a small boat m a raging sea. At this crisis, Captain Martin, always athand, addressing Mr. Greenhill, his chief engineer, under whose command this particular boat was rated, said, " there is not much chance for the boat; there is none for the ship. Your duty is done; mine is to remain here. Get m and take command of the few it will hold." Thus prompted, Mr. Greenhill, with, his fellow engineers and some few others, numbering only 19 souls, among whom were only three second-class passengers, quitted the ship, with only a few biscuits m the shape of provisions, and not a drop of water. When the boat put off, many of the passengers, who, although expecting death, little knew how very soon it was to come upon them, waved their handkerchiefs, and cheered when the boat got about a dozen yards from the ship, being apparently anxious that some should live to tell their hapless tale. The boatswain, Stedding, of Blackwall, who has left a wife and five children ; the butcher, from Blackwall, who has left a wife and family ; Ham, the cook, a maried man, and a very old servant of the owners ; the baker, (name unknown) and the purser's mate William Riley, had made up their minds to leave the* steamer m the remaining small boat over the cuddy, and had provisioned and launched heir; but no sooner were they ready to put off than the foundering ship quickly slid below the waves, and left for a moment an awful gulf, within those walls of dark, whirling water, they fell with ever)' human being and every article around, and were soon swallowed up. The passengers were seen with lifebelts, but probably none were alive when they rose to the surface. The spectacle was only to be seen, for m the din of the tempest no cry from the sinking multitude could be heard, and soon not a vestige was visible. As the ship sank it was seen that all on deck were driven forward, not by water, but by a tremendous and overpowering; rush of air from below, which, as it escaped through the deck as well as the hatches, impelled all

j on dock forward witli violence, nri<l tht-ir dreadful .struggle must have been soon ended. It w;is remarked that the third officer, who was named Angel, stood to the last to his post at the donkey engine, which wits employed m working" the pumps, and that his hands were on the engine even as the vessel disappeared. A compass had been given to the crew of the pinnace by the captain, and under the direction of King 1 , the men agreed that, whatever might happen, they would sit immovable except when pulling at the oars. Two worked at each oar, and they then ran before the sea. Every nerve was exerted to make the boat withstand the fearful tossings and the strain as she mounted the waves and became surrounded by the surge. Before daylight, and as the moon rose, the men were overjoyed at seeing a vessel close alongside. They hailed the ship, and were heard, but as they could present no light they could not be seen, although they could see the ship tacking about trying to find them. The search was fruitless, and the ship was lost sight of. The boat hud not been rowed during the time the ship was sighted, but simply kept away before the wind until daylight, when no vessel was visible. The men adhered to their course, and at nine o'clock sighted two vessels, but were prevented from making for them by the cross seas. They rowed for one of them, however, for five hours. When at last they came up to her they found her to be an Italifin barque, the Marianople, Captain Cavassa. Just as they were approaching the vessel, they were struck by a heavy squall and shipped a pen, so that oil m the boat gave themselves up for lost, but only by one of the men moving 1 m the boat to bail her out, and no fresh seas strfking her, thej' were enablfid to bale her clear, and bring up alongside the barque. A line was thrown to them, and they were drawn up tc the deck, where they found themselves completely benumbed by the exposure to which they had been subjected. Captain Cavassa, who could speak little English, to whom the men feel grateful to the extremest extent, used more means for their recovery and for their comfort than simple humanity would dictate. He had the men stripped, rubbed, and clod m fresh warm garments, and killed for them a turkey, besides tea and soup and setting apart for them warm beds. At that time the ship was m 40.48 N. lat. and 7-13 W. long, and was bound for Cork or Fahnouth. They were landed at the latter port, and proceeded by train to London. We annex a list of the passengers of the ship : — First Class : Rev. Mr. Airs. Draper ; Mrs. Owen and child, Mr. aud Mrs. G. F. P. Urqu-hai-fc, Mr. J. Patrick, Mr. G. V. Brooke and Miss Vaughan Brooke, Messrs. J. Anderson, P. Benson, Mr. and Mrs. J. Fenton and two children. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman and two children, Mr. G. M. | Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Clark and son, Mr. F. Lewis, Mr. aud Mrs. J. Bevan, Dr. J. Woolley, Mr. and Mrs. Debenham, Miss. L. Maunder, Messrs. J. Robertson, T. M. Tennant, Mrs. Trail and child, Messrs. G. Palmer, T. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Amos, Messrs. E. Brooks, J. R. Richardson, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr, Mrs. and Miss King, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and two children, Messrs. A. Sandilands, E. Youn?mau, H. J. Dennis, E. A. Marks, D. F. De Pass, Master W. D. Burrell. Dr. J. Hunter,, Miss C. M'Lachlan, Miss Cutting, Mr. M'Millan. I Second Class : Messrs. Kayo Eeastwood, F. Stone, Mr. and Mrs. White, Miss H. Price, Mr. J. L. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Graham, Messrs. B. G. Rowe, J. E. Wilson (saved), Mrs. Morland, Miss G. Graham, Messrs J. Dothie, C. Gough, A Bruce, J. Woodhouse, G. Cross, W. Day, D. W. Lemon. Mr. and Mrs. Giffett, Mr. G. Chennels, Mr. and Mrs. Wood, Master and Miss Clayson, Messrs. Thomas Wood, Godfrey Wood, Miss E. Wood, Mr; B. Bevan. Miss S. Brooker, Messrs. Davlcs, T. O'Hagen, H. W. Harding, F. Fryer, J. Munro (saved), D. C. Mam (saved), C. Johnston, P. Fen wick. Mrs. aud Miss Meegs, Mr. C. H. Campbell, Miss E. Marks, Mr. E. G. Trevenen, Mr. and Mrs. Hickman, two sons and two daughters, Messrs. A. M'Lean, and Davis. Third Cabin : Messrs. W. Pnssroore, H. Miller. C. P. Chandler, B. Hay, Miss E. Jones, Mr. and Miss Simpson, Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. Graham, and three children, Messrs. David Graham, M'Vittie, Mr. and Mrs. Sercombe, and three children. Mr. G. Rolwegan, Mr. and Mrs. G. Flick, and four children. Messrs. R. Trevnrrow, D. Block, J. Gerken, Znlec Morris, and Zulec Barnett, S. Bolton ; T. Skeggs, Mr. and Mrs. D. Smith, Mr. A. Umphray, Master Spring, Messrs. A. Hoyero. J. Walls, W. Barron, Mrs. Lnmpes and two children, Messrs. Algernon L. Otter, John Little, H. M'Covey, Miss Batchelor, Messrs. J. Kirkwood, W. Clifton, R. Reynolds. The following is a list of those saved : John Greenhill, engineer ; John Jones, second engineer ; John Armonr, third engineer ; Thomas Brown, fireman ; W. M. Edwards, midshipman ; D. T. Smith, boatswain's mate ; William Daniels, quartermaster; John King, A.B. ; Benjamin Shield, A.B. ; Richard Lewis, A,B. ; James Gougli, A.B. ; Edward Quin, A.8. ; William Crimes, O.S. ; A. G. White, boatswain's boy ; William Hart, carpenter's mate ; Edward Gardiner, second-class steward ; D. C. Main, passenger ;• John Munro, passenger ; J. E. Wilson, passenger. The subjoined additional details have been furnished by several survivors : — Very considerable astonishment has been expressed that no effort was made during the two days that the ship was m imminent danger of going down, to prepare rafts and use similar means to give an additional chance for the safety of 239 souls on board. The testimony, however, of both the passengers and the rescued crew goes to show that Captain J. B. Martin — of whose skill as manifested during the storm they speak m terms of the highest commendation — did not order the construction of rafts because the wind blew with such Severn^, and the vrayes leaped over the steamer m such quick succession and tremendous force that no man could have worked on the deck, and even if they had succeeded m building a raft there could be no hope of any of the unfortunate people being enabled to cling to it alive for many ininutes m such a sea. So soon as it was determined to launch the lifeboat, plenty of assistance was at hand to effect the launching, but the passengers and crew, who beheld the starboard life-boat washed away on the preceding day were horri6ed at observing their only remaining life-boat slip through the stern davit, break into two | parts, and of course become utterly useless. It was then resolved that the iron pinnace, capable of carrying 50 persons, should be launched, and by the aid of the donkey engine the pinnace was raised and hung over the leeward rails. Wheu let go, however, she foundered, one man, a Dutchman, being drowned, and three others, who were rescued, being cast into the surf to | leeward. Two of the men who were overboard were John King, the able seaman, to whose marvellous skill as steersman the survivors all entirely and with gratitude attribute

their preservation, and Mr. Minim, :>. piisseiij-c-r, who hung m tlie davit until bn>ir_'ht m by Edward Gardner, the steward. King had one of his sides bruised, and his thigh cut by being beaten against the steamer, and Gardner received injuries hi the back. Nothing then remained on board the ship but an ordinary six-oared captain's gig, and a still smaller boat ou the top of the cuddy or cook-house. After considerable hesitation it was agreed that a boat should be launched for the second time, and an opportunity was presented for passengers to embark m her, but only three passengers and sixteen of the crew availed themselves of it, and if they had delayed three minutes' longer than they did they would have perished m the ship. The crowd on board were afraid to leave the ship, having naturally been frightened by the sinking of the iron boat, and those who put off m the second boat were shouted to not to make the attempt, as their chance was hopeless. Some heroic sacrifices were made. One of the passengers m the boat, Mr. John Wilson, a native of Montrose, went down into the cabin and endeavored to persuade a friend, Mr. John Hickman, from Ballarat, and brother to Mr. ilickmnn, solicitor, oj Southampton, to attempt to save his life by going into the boat; but after being entreated he said — "No, I promised my wife and children to stay by them, and 1 will do so." The water was then a considerable depth on the lee side of the saloon, indeed, over the top of the berths, and he asski-d Mr. Wilson to help him m removing his four children to the windward side, out of the water. This was done, and then he shook hands with Mr. Wilson, with "Goodbye, Jack," and parted from hi* friend for ever. When last seen, Mr. Hickman was standing m a row with his wife and children. This occurred about an honr before the boat put off, but probably they had perished by that time, as the water had before them poured into the steamer through her cabin windows, and when the boat left, the sea was flush with the top of the poopdeck, and the corpses of drowned women and children were floating ovi>r the deck. When the men were all m the boat, one of the seamen cried, "There may still be room, fetch a lady. Mr. Wilson then sprang over a portion of the deck m search of a lady whom he knew, but not seeing her, and knowing that every instant was precious, he said to a young girl, " Will you go ?" She did not refuse, therefore Mr. Wilson seized her and took her to the bulwarks ; but when she looked over the raib and saw the distance which she must spring, she said, m despair, "Oh, I cannot do that." There was no time for persuasion or parley, and Mr. Wilson was obliged to drop the girl aud jump from the steamer to the boat, which, he fell into safely. The captain, just before the boat put off. had the consideration and presence of mind to give those m the boat their "course." He told them that it lay E.N.E. to Brest, which was correct, and he is stated to have added that the distance was 90 miles ; but the boat's company believe that King, the steersman, misunderstood the captain as to the distance, inasmuch as they were 190 miles from the French coast. Before the boat could be got off it was m great danger of being sucked down by the skip, which was rapidly settling beneath the water. The swirl of water round the stern that preceded the foundering had already begun to be excessive, aud the boat was therefore hastily cut away. At that moment those m the boat were piteously called upon by a lady about twenty-three years of age, who with a face which waa, it is stated, livid with horror, shrieked out au offer of "a thousand guineas if you'll take me iv." But iv that solemn hour millions of money would have been accounted valueless, and to return must have resulted m destruction to all. One of the seamen has stated that when the boat was pushed off, and the captain wished those m her God " speed," the men resolved that no danger must be allowed to accrue to them from further crowding, and that some of them drew their knives with the determination of cutting off the hands of those who might leap from tbe ship and endeavour to cling to the boat's gunwales. It was also stated that long before this, when it was first made known that the vessel must go down, a passenger brought on deck a carpet bag, and that on his doing so the captain gave a short melancholy laugh, and then smiled, a~3 one of the passengers expressed it, "at tbe preposterous idea at the man's thinking at such a time of his property."

Down into the waves, with 219 others, has sunk Gnstavtis V. Brooke, the tragedian, who was bound for the country which hail been the sr-ene of a reverse of fortune to him, but previously of many brilliant successes. He was accompanied by his sister, and had, when taking his passage, omitted part of his name, ia order to obtain privacy aud that repose during the voyage which was necessary to recruit his health. Mr. Brooke will be well remembered as a tall man, of powerful build, and he is stated by the rescued passengers to have exerted his strength to the utmost m helping to keep the ship afloat. The Dutch portion of the crew, twenty-one m number, refnsed to work, aud, according to the English sailors who were saved, these men went to their berths and remained there, so that the passengers had to work at the pumps' wearic.lly for many hours with the English seamen. Mr. Gustavus V.jßrooke exerted himself incessantly. Attired only m a red Crimean shirt and trousers, with no hat on. and bare-footed, he went backwards and forwards to the pumps until working at them was found to be useless ; and whea last seen — about four hours before the steamer went down — he was leaning with grave composure upon one of the half-doors of the companion. Bis chin was resting upon both hands, and his arms were on the top of the door, which ho gently swayed to and fro, whilst he calmly watched the scene. Oue of the passengers who saw him has said — "He had worked wonderfully, and, m fact, more bravely than any man on. board of that ship." To the steward, who made himself known. Mr. Brooke said, "If you succeed m saving yourself, give my farewell to the people of Melbourne."

The rescued men remember with gratitude and respect the efforts put forth by ministers on board. The Rev. Dr. Woolley encouraged the passengers to work at the pumps, m which he was seconded by the stewardess, who had a son on board, and cheered the pa&seugers by her collected demeanour and constant attentions. Ne:ct must be remembered a circumstance, the publication of which may prove to be of great importance. Mr. Munro states that a passenger named Eastwood, with whom he had been Vquainted prior to the voyage, giiid to him — "Weil, Jack, I think we are goins to go." The answer was, " I think we are. E:istwood." The reply was, "We caunot help it. There's only one tiling I regret about it -of a draft for £000 on the Bank of Victoria, BaJiarafc. I only -received £'20, which I gave to the captain m the nfßce of Money Winram and Co. I should have liked my poor father to have <;ot the balance." The speaker was amongst those who perished, but fortunately and singularly enon»h his communication was made to one of the three surviving passengers. and as the deceased Mr. Eastwood's father is known to live near Liverpool, the probability is that his son's wish will be fulfilled— a wish that was so fervent that Mr. Eastwood shed tears as he expressed it.

The scenes on board the ill-fated ship as the last moment approached were agonising m the extreme. The torture of suspense had been so long maintained, that on the last day the passengers were perfectly quiet and unescited, and a surprising degree of resignation was exhibited throughout. Miss Marks, of Old Kent road, London, was at first almost frantic ; yet, when the boat left she stood cidnjly on deck bareheaded, and waved an adieu to Mr. Wilson. Mr. G rant, one of tbe officers was lively throughout, and encouraged many to toil at the pumps — a work rendered by the wind highly dangerous and difficult. Miss Brooknr, from Pimlico, was heard to say, as she wrung her hands, "Well. I have done all that I could, and can do no more." She then became outwardly calm. On the night after the passengers had been alarmed by the shipping of water, Mrs. Price, Mrs.

W.i.v.l (wii'i h;ul with her her hn.sViiid and iive chiMr'.-n), Miss JVookor, and Miss Marks read the Bible by turns m the second cabin. It was on that night that after the sea had poured down the hatch, the captain said "Boys, you ir,ay say your prayers." At twelve o'clock the following night Mr. Draper, held a general prayer meeting m. the saloon. An extraordinary fact deserves to be recorded. A poor old couple who had three children with them, had tried m vain three times to go upon their voyage. First m a vessel unknown, and which was wrecked ; next m the Duncan Dunbar. and which also was recently wrecked; and lastly, Gardener, the steward, saw the poor wife washed overboard from the Loudon, to leeward, her husband following her presently beneath the billows. Amongst the passengers were two stout old people, who had been sent for by their only son. The poor creatures, ou learning that they must drown, took a small quantity of brandy and went below to die together m their cabin. Mr. Bevan, a wealthy coach proprietor and his wife, of Melbourne, who had been enjoying a trip m Europe, Mr. Lemon, ironmonger, of Bourke street, Melbourne, Mr. M'Lean, owner of the expensive Baths, opposite the Albion Hotel, Melbourne, who had brought his son to be educated m England, and Mr. Barnett, Russell street, Melbourne, were amongst those who perished. Mention, has already been made of the Rev. Mr. Draper's exhortation to the uuhappy people m the chief saloon. The women sat round him reading Bibles, with the children, and occasionall)' swue man or woman would step up to Mr. Draper and say, "Pray with me, Mr. Draper" — a request that was always complied with. Up to the time the ship went down the reverend gentleman ministered to those among whom he moved constantly. He was heard to say repeatedly, " Oh, God, may those who are not converted be converted now — hundreds of them." Several revolvers were seen m the hands of passengers who did not conceal their intention of shooting themselves when the last moment came, preferring to meet their death, when inevitable, by a ballet than by drowning. The steward, indeed, overheard an offer by the owner «f n pistol to a friend that he would shoot him if he desired. The well-meant offor waa at that time declined ; and whether these intentions were carried into execution is not known, buc no reports of fire-arms were heard as the steamer foundered. About an hour before the vessel sank, Mr. Wilson met Captain Martin under the main deck aft, and asked him if it would be of use to help m carrying out the water on the second deck. He replied, " I will see," and walked to the engine room, into which he looked down, when he turned about, came back and said, " You may do it, but 1 think it is of no use." He then walked on to the poop, and silently observed what was going on. It is stated that the emigrant steamer had no less than 50 tons of coal on deck, which, being washed about, stopped up the scapper holes, and thus rendered the escape of the seas which swept her deck all but impossible. The masts o; the ship were of iron, and therefore could not be used for rafts. JfAWEATIVE OF THE SURVIVORS. The following narrative has been collected from the statements of Messrs Munro and Main, two of the survivors who are now m London. Messrs Munro and Main were passengers on board the London, and they say that on Tuesday a kind of cloom prevailed among the passengers. That was the day on which the masts were torn away. Some said from this time that they would never see Australia again. As matters became worse, they all grew more resigned. Early on Thursday ruornincr, husbands and wives and children assembled m the saloon, listening to the Rev. Mr. Draper, and praying devoutly. A complaint was made that the married men were prevented by their wives and children clinging to them, from working at the pumps ; but the answer was, " How can I leave them?' Mr. Munro says it would be impossible to describe that harrowing scene. Money, watches, chains .and valuables of all kinds, were lying about. All was dust now. The catastrophe was now near at hand, and at this point the narrative of the boat begins : — At a little before 2 o'clock, the honr at which the vessel went down, the ladies m an insensible state were floating about on the poop of the ship, and at this time both Mr. Munro and Mr. Main, looking out upon the little boat that was being tossed like a cockle shell— now close to, and anon 20 yards from the vessel's side — remarked that if they had a chance they would not get into her, believing it impossible for her to live. But, suddenly they felt the big ship leave as it were their feet, and then it was that they resolved to take chance m the small craft. A 8 soon as Mr. Munro got into the boat the doctor's assistant offered him £'500 if they would take him m. To this offer one of the sailors replied, " Keep your money and look after yourself." To thid the assistant answered, "lam your doctor, and you ere bound to take me with you." All this time they were pulling away from the ship, which five minutes afterwards sank beneath the waves ; and although at this awful moment the small craft was some considerable distance oft, still it is the opinion of the sailors that had they been one minute later m leaving the ship's side the boat would have been sucked down m the vortex. It is a matter of great surprise to those who fortunately took refuge m the boat that she should Jive m such a sea, and that too with seven persons more than she was built to carry. All the now wearied crew had with them was three bottles of brandy, one bottle of champagne, some fresh water, and a bunch of raw carrots. They had not started long, howerer, upon their dreary journey before their fresh water was destroyed by the coustant seas that broke over them. They consumed the bottle of champagne and two bottles of the brandy during the Thursday night, and the third they could not find, so that they were left almost at the outset with but a few carrots for sustenance. Leaving the scene of the wreck, they put the boat's 3tern to the sea, and drifted due south dead before the wind, m the very opposite direction to that which they desired to make, but to have attempted to steer the boat would have been instant destruction. They continued thus at the mevcy of one of the most terrific seas that ever rolled m the Bay of Biscay till about twelve o'clock at night, expecting every moment to be swamped. At this hour the wind somewhat abated, and veered to S.S.E., but so black was the night that they could not see each other even. They all prayed for dayliuht, and as soon as dawn was been breaking m {.he east it seemed to impart to the sufferers ire3b life aud confidence that they would be saved ; fur, to quote Mr. Mnnro's words, " I felt convinced that, as our little craft had lived through the dreadful night, she would live through any sea she mi^ht euconnter." As the morniuc; advanced the wind decreased m violence, and the black clouds that kept sanding forth drenching showers descended almost to the sex They saw the firat vos-el about four o'clock, but o\vin;j to tbe wind aud tremendous sea over which they were being carried, it waa impossible for the vessel to find them. About seven o'clock on tbe Friday evening they saw a schooner on the port side, and held a consultation as to whether they should pull towards it, but Mr. King objected, and shortly after that one of the men jumped up and exclaimed, "There's another shin, boys." King still objected to facing the weather, upon which one of the crew swore that it was their only chance, and that if King refused to make for it, I he would " stave the bo:it m." King then ssid. ! "Well I go;" and they accordingly pulled to the vessel that rescued them from their perilous position, and brought them safely to port to relate the sad disaster that has thiown a gloom over the United Kingdom. Mr. Munro, from whom a portion of this narrative has been derived, is a native of Montrose, which he left some time ago to go to Australia, where he had business connections with the gold diggings.