THE MISHAP TO THE CHIMBORAZO.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 3097, 8 April 1878, Page 2

THE MISHAP TO THE CHIMBORAZO.

On Friday night, 15th March, about ten o'clock, the A.S.N. Co's steamer Collarov, under Captain McLean, left Sydney, for the purposej of bringing up passengers by the Pacific Steam Navigation Co's steamer Ohim- • borazo, 3850 tons, that vessel having met with a disaster near Jems Buy, while on her voyage from London to Sydney ) and shortly afterwards the steamer Corea, under Captain • McClements, was despatched from Towns' wharf, for the purpose of relieving the Chimborazo.of some of her car£;o, if such a course was found desirable. The following narrative of the disaster was supplied by Captain J. V. Hall, who had command of the Chimborazo : — About 11 o'clock on the morning of the 14th. inst., as all the passengers were anticipating reaching their destination in a few hours, the Ohimborazo, going at a high rate of speed, struck rocks at the foot of Point Perpendicular. The sea was nearly as calm as oil at the time, but there huug over the Point' and the neighbouring rocks a palllike mist. When the alarm was first sounded Captain Hall at once gate orders for reversing the engines, and, in fact, this was accomplished, and a few strokes taken astern, when - the steamer struck. The rocks receiving the impact of the vessel must have been considerably under water, and extended into the sea forty or fifty feet at least. .The vessel .was driven with great force on them about ' twenty-five feet, and the result was a hole, causing her forward compartment to immediately fill with water, and making the vessel Settle by the head. The boats were immediately swung out, and tackles made ready for lowering 'them, •while every hand hurried quietly and quickly to his post. The wells were sounded, and it was ascertained, after a brief interval, that' the water had not forced its way into the main hold' compartment. Orders wew. given for all the crew and passengers to go aft, so aa to lift the vessel's bow ,! off the rocks, and almost at the same time the engines, were backed. ,This state of .things continued for several minutes,. during which the|ship was in a very critical position, her stern gradually falling round, and threat- * ening to bring her broadside on the rocks. By keeping the engine full speed astern, and causing everyone to run aft, the vessel was at length got off, and kept wifching easy distance from the land until boats were lowered and. the passengers could be landed. This was accomplished in about twenty minutes after the acoident. The passengers behaved admirably. A few ladies shed tears, but there was nothing approaching general consternation or excitement. There was no attempt to rush the boats. The ladies and children were placed in them first, then the remaining passengers, with some provisions, and away all started as comfortably as if proceeding to a picnic. Literally it was a pleasure-trip to the passengers. A creek of fresh water was found, on the banks of which tents wore pitched, and a temporary settlement was established, the inhabitants of which enjoyed their refreshments al fresco. The opinion of some authorities is that the Chimborazo -will be enabled to reach Sydney in the course of a week or ten days, but that, as about twenty-four feet of her keel and bottom are seriously injured, it will be three months before she can be made thoroughly seaworthy again. She is at present seven feet down by the head in seveu fatHbms at high water, but luckily the damage to cargo lias not been very considerable, and, so far, is confined to the forehold. — Abridged from the Sydney Morning Herald.