BURNING OF THE OMAR PASHA

West Coast Times, Issue 1188, 14 July 1869, Page 4

BURNING OF THE OMAR PASHA

The ' 'mar Pasha was, like the Blue Jacket, a first-class ship, 1124 tons, belonging to Aberdeen, bound to London from Brisbane, which port she left on the same day, Ist February, in charge of Capt. Gray, her cargo comprising 2831 bales of wool, 128 tierces of beef, 667 hides, 77 casks of tallow, 48 bag's of cotton. 31,800 trenails — valued at £80,000 ; and it was also reported she had £30,000 in specie on board. The names of the passengers on board were — saloon : Miss E. Matthews, Mr and Mrs Albert Nicoll, Dr Carter, Messrs E. Miller and Charteris. Second cabin : Mr and Mrs Launcelot Foirartyand family (3), Mrs Hancock, Mi«s Welsh, Mr and Mrs Davenport and family (2), Hiss Appleyard, M> and Mrs Macintosh and child, Mr and Mrs Newman, Mr and Mi s Beazley, Mrs E. Dix and child, Messrs J. C. Croon, and nineteen steerage passengers, all of whom, together with the officers and crew, saved themselves by the boats. This loss will also fall on Lloyd's and the insurance companies. The following is the account of the loss of the vessel furnished by her commander, Lieutenant Charles Grey, R.N.R. :— " The ship sailed from Moreton Bay on the 13th February, and on the 21st April was in lat. 27deg. N., long. 42des. W., seventynine days out, and there was every prospect of accomplishing the remainder of the voyage in about ten days. A terrible fate, however, awaifed the noble ship. On the 22nd April, at half-past 4 a.m., the ship was under all sail, excepting royals, a fresh N.E. blowing at the time— lat. 28deg. N., long. 43deg. W. The alarm was given by the first officer that the ship was on fire about the main hatch and chain locker. All hands and passengers were called immediately ; sails were reduced to close-reefed top-sails, all pumps set to work, and immense quantities of water poured down the lower hold and the chain locker, through which the flames, smoke, and steam, were coming in large volumes alreidy. Officers, men, and passengers, divided in proper gangs, worked bravely, and for some time hopes were entertained to get the flames extinguished. At 6 a.m., a vessel was seen to the westward, and the ship was steered at once for her, firing minute guns of distress and making signals for assistance. In about an hour she was a'ongside the Italian barque Anna Tagliavia, whose commander promised assistance and sent his own boats. Another vessel, which subsequently proved to' be the Spanish brig Maria Rosa, was also bearing down under all canvas, and sent a boat to help as much as possible. In the meantime the crew and passengers exerted themselves to do their utmost at pumps and fire-buckets, or to carry out promptly whatever orders were given. The greatest discipline was maintained on board throughout. Large wet sails and tarpaulins were spread over the hatches and decks ; but however, all labor proved in vain. From eight till about nine o'clock the flames spread more and more in the lower hold, and the great heat set the wool in the between decks on fire ; the steam, probably raised by the burning tallow, became so alarming, that the after and main hatches were opened to prevent an explosion. After much trouble and considerable dancrer, the 1 wool on fire in the main and after hatches was got out and thrown overboard, and had the fire been only confined to the between decks, the ship would have been saved. About ten o'clock it became evident that no human power could save the unfortuuate ship ; the flames were already breaking through several parts of the main deck, the smoke and steam became worse and worse erery minute. The passengers were ordered to get themselves ready to leave the ship — the boats were got ready also, each in charge of one officer. In the meantime the purser, steward, and four men were employed getting provisions our. of the store rooms aft ; as the barque had only a very limited supply of stores, it was most important to provide food for so many people. At about eleven o'clock a.m., the transhipment of passengers to the Italian barque commenced, not without danger or difficulty, as the breeze had freshened considerably. The sea was running high at the time. However, owin<? to the greatest order and strict discipline, all women and children were safely transferred to the barque ; then followed all male passengers, with as much of their luggage as could be saved in so short a time. After having them all in safety, the boats continued carrying provisions. About 1.30 p.m.,

the main deck, from the poop to the foremast, the front of poop, aud part of saloon, were one mass of flames, the main mast was burning as far as the top, and began to sway to and fro with every roll, and it became dangerous for those still working on board (the captain, Mr B atlie, third omcei- ; Mr Stephenson, sailmaker ; and Cornie, quartermaster) to stay any longer. The helm was put hard down and lashed to keep the burning ship hove-to. The three men were lowered into the cutter waiting astern, and the captain followed shortly afterwards. After keepiug some time a little to windward to witness the rapid progress of destruction of the unfortunate ship, the boat pulled alongside the Italian barque, and sail was made, in company ofthe Spanish brig, for a barque in sight to the N.N.E., as there were very few provisions and little water on board of both vessels, besides no room to accommodate such a number of passengers and crew. At half-past 5 p.m. hove to alongside the British barque Queen of the North. About this time the Omar Pasha had burnt to the water's edge. All masts had fallen over the port side, and about half- past 7 p.m. she went down stern foremost. The Queen ot the North, bound for London, about 600 tons, took nine passengers and the first officer, and the Spanish brig Maria Rosa, about 250 tons, bound for Malaga, twelve men and the second officer. The rest remained on board the small Italian barque, although only 400 tons. Although both foreign ships, the greatest kindness was shown to everyone. Captain, officers, and crew shared willingly whatever they had on board. In fact, their conduct throughout deserves the highest praise. About 8 p.m. the passengers and their luggage were transferred, aud the three vessels parted company. On the 25th of April, the French barque Belle Virginie, from the East Indies, bound to Marseilles, assisted the Anita Tagliavia with as much water as could be spared. On the 26th, the captain of the German brig Aujruste, from Buenos Ay res, bound to Havre, took very kindly nine (passengers and crew) on board, and on the same afternoon a large ship hove in sight t > the westward. At 5 p.m. the ship Zealandia, from Callao, bound to Cork, bore down upon the Italian barque, and hove to alongside. Her commander, Captain B. Mutton at once offt-red to take all the passengers and crew, and in an hour everyone Avas safely on board of his large ship. After mutual good wishes, both vessels stood on their courses with a fair wind. The 4th May the Zealandia passed Corvo, bearing S. ninety miles, and had strong we-terly gales till the 7th, lat. 45 N., long. 21 W. Eight days fresh easterly breezes followed, aud the vessel had to beat tack for tack to lat. 50 N., long. 12 W. A light southerly breeze brought the vessel into Cork Harbor. The pas-cn-gers and crew were landed. Before conchiding, I must express publicly my best thanks for the kindness shown to me and my passengers by Captain Trefilotti, of the Italian barque Anita Tagliavia, the captain of the Spanish barque Maria Rosa, and the captain of the Zealandia.