LOSS OF THE WALTER HOOD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 624, 23 May 1870, Page 3

LOSS OF THE WALTER HOOD.

(From the Sydney Morning Herald, May 2.) The following are the particulars of this lamentable event as related by Mr Tickler, the third officer :— The Walter Hood, Captain Latto, passed through the Downs on the 22nd January, and had a moderately favourable passage to Cape Otway, which was passed on the 23rd ultimo, 90 days out; she had a good run through the straits, and sighted Gabo Island Light at 1 a.m. on Monday, 25th ult.; it was then blowing strong from S.E., the ship carrying topgallant sailß. At 3 a.m. on Monday, a heavy squall struck the vessel, the topsails were blown from the bolt-ropes, and a seaman named' Wilkie was washed overboard. The ship being well clear of Cape Howe was kept away, and fresh Bails bent ; but the breeze hardened to a violent gale, and the fore and main topsails again were lost. A main topgallant sail was then bent as a foretop3ail, and the ship kept her course under foresail, foretopsail, mainsail, and foretopmast staysail, the wind blowing a perfect hurricane, and a fearful sea running with thick dirty weather, but the ship behaved well, and no danger was anticipated, when at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, 26th, land was sighted oa the starboard bow to windward. Captain Latto, finding he could not weather the point, attempted to stay her, but she would not come round, and he then wore her round on the port tack ; the wind being from S.E. to E.S.E., flying about in sudden squalls, the vessel heading about S. by W., but it was impossible to claw off on either tack ; night closed in, and then Cape St George light was seen astern ; no land was observable to leeward, the weather being top thick ; and about 8 p.m. she struck ; the port anchor was then let go, which brought her head up to sea. Captain Latto was forward directing, when a sea broke on board, and, it is supposed, drove him against the spars or bulwarks; but the result was that some of his ribs were broken ; he was at once conveyed to his cabin, and such assistance and remedies at command were administered. The heavy seas sweeping the decks fore and aft compelled all hands to take shelter in the cabin, and so the first night passed. Daylight of the 27th disclosed to the helpless crew more clearly their dangerous situation. The vessel was within 150 yards of the shore, but cut off from all communication by a terrific surf*, and the ship breaking up and. bumping heavily. At 6 aim. the mizen mast was cut away to ease her, but it had little or no effect ; a boy named Davis was carried overboard with it, and was drowned.- By noon the deck had broken up, and the ship settling on her port side the cargo was continually being washed out. About this time Captain Latto came on deck, but was compelled to go below again, and he was shortly after- seen floating away to leeward ; the bulkhead of the cabin having given way, he had been washed out. No help could be rendered, and after a few ineffectual struggles to regain the ship, he sank, and was no more seen. The day wore on, and still no help at hand. The cracking timbers of the now fast diminishing hull, and the ceaseless roar of rolling surges, leaving but little hope to the half-drowned crew, who had been driven for shelter to the after part of the poop, on the starboard side. The wind, however, shifted to the westward, giving some indication of a lull, and consequent abatement of the sea. Mr Haines, a passenger, was then induced to attempt reaching the shore by swimming, but was drowned. Ashton, a seaman, and Sinclair, the boatswain next made for the land, but shared the same fate, the surf being too heavy on the beach. That night Harry (the cook) died from exhaustion. The next (Thursday) morning, 2Sth,. the weather proved fine, and the sea more moderate, when William b and Branson, two seamen, attempted to get a line ashore. ' Branson, who had the line attached to him; was drowned, W illiams reaching the shore, in safety.. This gave some confidence, and one of the boys succeeded in gaining the beach, followed by Mr Hewisbh (chief officer), and Mr Cullen (second officer) ; Coombes next attempted, and was drowned. M'Pberson, Lemon, and Moyes (seamen), and Gale, an apprentice, went next, M'Pherson and Gale only being saved. Those 'on shore made every endeavour to jet a line to the wreck/ but with no success. The nif ht was passed

Uke the two: preceding ones—no food, no water, and bat faint Lopes of seeing another day v itill those on the wreck held oat. Friday, 29th, proved a fine clear day, with still less sea, and as it advanced several people were seen on the beach. The Messrs Smith (passengers) swam ashore, leaving thirteen bouls on the wreck. That afternoon, at 5 o'clock, they learnt the joyful intelligence that help was' at hand, but in their famished state they were compelled to kill a dog belonging to the captain, which was eagerly eaten, the blood being saved in a sou-wester, and shared out. At midnight a steam?r's lights were seen, but it, was too dark for her crew to attempt nearing the wreck, but the next morning at 7 a.m. a boat came within reach, and by means of a line all got off the wreck, and were taken on board the Ulalong, s s., where, it is needless to say, every attention and kindness was shown them; by her, they were brought on to Sydney, and landed shortly after 9 p.m. The spot where, this sad occurrence took place is on the south side of Wreck Bay, a deep indent, about ten miles south of Cape St. George. What remains of the hull is lying east and west. The whole of the port side is gone, and the greater portion of the starboard side also. The cargo, with the exception of the iron, has been washed ashore, and is scattered along the beach. During Thursday night a dog belonging to Mr Smith kept up an incessant howling, and gave the first intimation to the settlers in the neighbourhood of the disaster. The dog afterwards swam ashore. The following is a list of the crew and passengers:—Drowned: Captain A. Latto; Mr Haines, passenger; Sinclair, boatswain; Ashton, Julian, Branson, Combes, Moyes, Lemon, Davis, seamen; Harvey, cook. Saved: Mr Hewison, chief officer; Mr Cullen, second officer; Mr Tickler, third officer; Berry, steward; Thorn, sailmaker; Cray, carpenter; Turner, M'Pherson, Williams, Croy, Dunkerton, Farnell, Maul, Scott, Butcharc, seamen; Gale, Sinclair, Lindsay, Wilson, Fenwick, and a boy name unknown, apprentices. The Walter Hood was owned by Messrs G. Thompson and Sons, of Aberdeen, and arrived here on her first voyage some 16 years ago, under the command of Captain Sproat. Since then she has been constantly in the London and Sydney trade. She had lately been re-classed, and was well known to be a faithfully-built and well found ship in every respect. Captain Latto, her late commander, had carried her successfully through all the dangers incidental to long voyages for four years, previous to which he had served as chief officer on board the ships John Duthie, William Duthie, and Australian. By his kindly disposition and long association with, the colony he had gained many friends, who will learn with sorrow his sad fate.