THE WRECK OF THE S.S. TARANAKI.

West Coast Times, Issue 917, 31 August 1868, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE S.S. TARANAKI.

(fbom: the kelson examinj-b.)

We regret exceedingly having to record the total loss of the Now Zealand Company's fino steamer Tarauaki, on Weduesday afternoon last, with a valuable cargo, and the luggage of nearly 100 passengers. Tho Taranaki left Wellington about half-past one o'clock on the day mentioned, with both the Suoz and Pauaina mails for Picton, Nelson, Taranaki, and Auckland, and a large number of passengers, including tho Bishop of Lichfield and Mrs Selwyn, Lord Burleigh, and other arrivals from England by way of Panama. The weather being fine, the Taranaki made a good trip across the Strait, and arrived otf the entrance of Tory Channel about ha'f-past four

o'clock. It was then about a quarter flood tide, and the rush of water into tho Channel was very great. Just at the mouth of tho Channel stands a rock awash, known as the Boat Rock; and against this reck w-ith lull force of steam and tide the Ta-unaki was swept, striking the rock about midship, which iustantly' rent her bottom and Hooded the engine-room, and, as she dragged over it tore away her propeller. Carried by the tide, the steamer floated up the Channel, making water rapidly, and was perfectly unmanageable. The boats were instantly lowered, and the passengers landed in the nearest bays, while au attempt was laade to {.ow the steamer into Bowden's Bay, about a mild and a half from where she struck the rock. From tho rapidity with which tho vessel filled, this was not practicable, for when rounding the point of the Bay, she went down stern foremost, in twelve fataoms of water, on a steep shelving bottom, and totally disappeared ; having, it is supposed, heeled over on the grouud. A boat had been previously despatched to Picton, distant nearly twenty miles, in which were ilr jSancarvow, Government Inspector of steamers, and Mr Allen, a director o" the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company ; on their arrival there a telegram, giving particulars of the disaster, was at once forwarded to Wellington, just previous to the closing of the office. Intelligence was sent hack to Picton that the Aircdjlc would be over early in the morning to pick up the passengers and mails ; and although that vessel was at the lime undergoing her customary half-yearly overhaul, aud quite unprepared for sea, such was the diligence used, that in about three hours after orders to get ready had been given, the Airedale lefu Wellington wharf, and arrived at Bowden's Bay soon after daylight on Thursday morning. The passengers, who had fortunately reached Mr Bowden's station, were as hospitably entertained as circumstances would admit; and were sill taken on to Pictou in tho Airedale, where an enquiry into the accident was opened, by the Collector of Customs and Mr Duncan, LB. The evidence of several of the passengers having been taken, the enquiry was adjourned to Wellington, whither the crew of the Taranaki were to be conveyed by tho steamer Ladybird. F*om all wo can gather, there is little chance of the Tarauaki being raised. A vessel lying on her bilge, in seventy feet of water is not easily got afloat. With the diving apparatus to be sent from Wellington it is probable some of the car.;o may be saved, as well as passengers' lugg.ige — fcho latter, wo understand, being in some instances of great value. The value of the steamer cannot be estimated at less than £11,000 whilst the cargo and lug-

gage must be worth nearly as much. Into the cause of the loss of this fine vessel we aro unwilling to enter while the official examination J3 x3lx 31 ' ot ' cecUll g' Captain Francis, who commanded her has long been known as one of the most skilful and careful commanders of ou.* coasting steamers, and was deservedly respected by his cmployei'3 and all who travelled with him. At the stage of lids •vv lieu the accident occurred it rushes with great force us it enters the Channel against the south western head, off which the Boat Rock stands, and as the water rushes over this, eddies are formed which, if a vessel gets within their inJluenee, affect her steerage. The tide was unusually strong on Wednesday evening, and Captain Francis must have incautiously, we imagine, suffered his vessel to approach too close to the Boat Rock, and, when too late, found himself unable *o control her. The passengers were below at dinner at the time, but Captain Francis was on deck directing the course of his vessel. A very general sympathy is felt fov Captain Francis' misfortune, and an address to that effect, signed by all his passengers, was presented to him before leaving Picton.