THE WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 29, 9 July 1845, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT

Wednesday, July 9, 1845. SHIPWRECK OF THE BARQUE TYNE, It is with deep regret that we announce the total loss of the barque Tyne, Captain Robertson, who had previously made three successful voyages to New Zealand, and who had deservedly obtained the respect and esteem of the settlers in this colony. The Tyne left Gravesend on the 24th of February last, and had a very favourable passage; the only misfortune that sheencountered previously to her arrival in Cook's Straits being the loss of one of the apprentices, who fell overboard on the voyage, and was drowned. The first land in New Zealand made byCaptain Robertson was Stephens' Island, which was seen on Thursday morning, the 3rd instant, at daybreak. The wind being adverse to a vessel beating up to Nelson, and Captain Robertson having only a small portion of cargo for that settlement, determined to proceed at once to Wellington, and after making Cape Terawitte at 6 p.m! the same day, he anticipated being off the entrance to Port Nicholson the next morning. Early in the morning it blew a gale, which increased during Friday, and what with the rain and fog, it was impossible to see more than a very limited distance round the vessel. Captain Robertson being in the gut of the Straits, was desirous of obtaining a sight of land before dusk : at 5 p.m., the gale not in the least having abated, land was seen on the weather bow, the vessel was immediately put about, when the rocks were discovered, and she almost immediately struck on the Rima Ripa rocks

WHEREAS his Excellency Robert Fitzroy, Esquire, Governor of New Zealand, under and by virtue of the power vested in him by the Ordinance for raising a Militia within the Colony, did authorize and direct me, the Lieutenant-Colonel in command of the Wellington Battalion of New Zealand Militia, to cause Two Hundred of the Inhabitants of Wellington, liable under the said Ordinance to serve in the said Militia, to be forthwith embodied, armed, and drilled to do constant duty until further orders. And'whereas, in pursuance of a notification to that effect published by me, certain persons liable to serve in such Militia have enrolled their names to serve for a period of three months, and certain other persons have enrolled their names to serve for a period of twenty-eight days only, and which latter period will expire on the 21st day of July instant. And whereas it will become necessary under the provisions of the aforesaid Ordinance, and the directions so given to me as aforesaid, that a sufficient number of persons so liable to serve in the said Militia should be drawn out to complete, from the said 21st day of July instant, the said force of Two Hundred men so ordered to be embodied as aforesaid, the same to serve for the period of twenty-eight days from such date. Now I, the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the said Militia, do hereby, pursuant to the directions of his Excellency the Governor to me given, notify that I will forthwith cause to be posted at the door of the Police Office, the Custom House, and the Court House in Wellington, a notice, requiring the parties therein named to attend at the time and place therein mentioned for training and exercise as such Militia men pursuant to such Ordinance as aforesaid, and I do hereby require all persons so named to appear and attend accordingly. Persons desirous of volunteering to fill any vacancy that may occur, must enrol their names withthe Adjutant on or before the 16th instant, and in the event of a sufficient number offering, the draft will be dispensed with, of which notice will be given. M. Richmond, Lieutenant- Colonel Commanding. Wellington, July 8, 1845.

close to Sinclair Head, and about half way between the entrance to the Happy Valley and Captain Smith's cattle station at Terawitte. The main and mizen masts were cut away, and with the sails that were set on the fore-mast she was driven further in shore. In a very short time the after cabins were under water, and the bulk heads were destroyed. In this state they remained till morning, the sea breaking over the stern, and the vessel striking upon the rocks. The gale continued raging with unabated fury. On Saturday morning, about 9 a.m., one of the seamen, who was an expert swimmer, offered to endeavour to get to the shore with a line to establish a communication between the shore and the vessel. Captain Robertson provided him with a life-preserver, and though he reached the shore in safety, the line became entangled amongst the rocks, and he was obliged to leave it without effecting the good which he had intended. Previously to leaving the ship, Captain Robertson, thinking he was on shore at Baring Head, desired the seaman to take the road to Terawitte, having mistaken Sinclair Head for Baring Head. Tutchings, of the Happy Valley, Ohiro, accompanied by his son, having observed the wreck, went to it; and about 11 o'clock the third mate left the vessel, and though he reached the shore, was so exhausted that had it not been for Tutchings, he must have perished. The sailor who first landed betook himself to a flax bush, where he secreted himself for fear of being demolished by the natives, and fell asleep, and was not discovered till Saturday night, when he was rejoiced to find a more hearty welcome from the settlers who had arrived on the spot than he expected. Tutchings conveyed the third mate to his cottage in the Happy Valley, and then made the best of his way to Wellington to announce the lamentable catastrophe in the town. He arrived at Wellington about half-past four o'clock. The consternation of the inhabitants at hearing of the misfortune which had

befallen the Tyne, was truly painful to witness. No vessel had arrived in Port Nicholson direct from England since the Caledonia on the 11th of January last, and the Slams Castle on the 16th of February, and many an anxious heart had been looking forward to the Tyne as being the first vessel which would bring them intelligence, consignments, and packages from those they had left behind.. Meetings of the merchants and principal inhabitants were immediately held at the stores of Messrs. Bethune and Hunter and Mr. R. Waitt, and a number of gentlemen resolved to, start at once to the wreck. At half-past five the bugles of the Militia and 96th regt. sounded, and the three companies of the former and the whole of the company of the latter (excepting those on duty) were shortly after on the road towards Terawitte. Most of those who started at first went on horseback, but were obliged to leave their horses at Ohiro, as the stream was swollen and the current strong. They arrived at the wreck about 8 o'clock, and the appearance of the fires cheered the hearts of those on the wreck. The 96th, under the command of Captain Eyton, arrived there about 11 o'clock The Militia and 96t h.lost their way, which caused detention, and some stopped for the night at Tutchings', whilst others crossed the Ohiro valley and halted amongst the rocks. These resumed their march in the morning, and joined those who had preceeded them before 8 o'clock. To return to the wreck. Captain Robertson had cut down the fore-mast on Saturday with the hope of forming a communication with the shore, but this experiment proved ineffectual. He then tried by means of floats at the end of a line to float the line ashore, but with no better success. All the boxes containing the mails -which could be found Avere thrown overboard, and many of them were washed ashore, and conveyed on Sunday in safety to Wellington. The crew passed_"the night of Saturday on the forecastle, as the vessel appeared to be loosening. On Sunday morning there were not less than 400 people assembled opposite the wreck, and attempts were again made to pass a line to the shore, hut with no better success than on the previous day. About 10 a.m. the chief mate, v»ith a crew of four men; left the wreck in the cutter, and made another attempt to bring a line,' but hardly had the cutter left the vessel before she was capsized upon the rocks and dashed to pieces', and the crew with great difficulty were rescued by those on shore. Other attempts were resumed to float a line, which at length succeeded, and eventually to a stout rope projecting from the end of the bowsprit a cradle was suspended, which played upon the rope by means of a ring through which the rope passed, and one line communicating from the cradle to the vessel, and another from the cradle to the people on shore. Tne crew one by one were drawn along seated on the cradle and safely landed, until it came to the last man, who was accompanied in the descent by Captain Robertson. It is almost needless to add the settlers received with hearty cheers each poor fellow as he landed, but the cheers which greeted Captain Robertson when he reached the shore were positively deafening. Immediately on his setting foot ori"the ground, he returned thanks to the Almighty for the miraculous preservation of his crew and himself, and then received the sincere congratulations of all his old friends who felt proud at having rendered assistance to one who really and truly enjoys the respect, esteem, and good wishes of every settler here. Captain Robertson seemed deeply affected by his reception; and after a mouthful of food and a warm by a fire, Mr. Robert Richmond gave up his horse to Captain Robertson, and he made his way towards Wellington. The exertions of the settlers on the occasion are deserving of the greatest praise. It would almost appear invidious mentioning the names of those who made themselves conspicuous by their exertions, but the efforts of Captain Eyton, Messrs. M'Donogh, Park, C. Mills, Hawkins, and Fitzherbert. and Captain Salmon and Captain Rhodes, were

entitled to great credit. Neither must w omit mentioning the offer of Mr, J jj Williams, the American Consul. This gen' very kindly and promptly tendered all _r any of the boats belonging to the Falco, as well as the schooner Uncle Sam, which h had just chartered, and the brig Falco if it could be of the least service.

It may be remarked here, that it was not until Captain Robertson landed that he learned precisely where he was, believing up to the time of his leaving the vessel that he was on shore at Baring Head. The crew consisted of nineteen hands and one passenger, a gentleman of the name of Selby. Fortunately every life was saved. The cargo of the Tyne was of a. miscellaneous character, consisting principally of salt, coals, shooks, brandy, wine, beer porter, bales of blankets, &c. &c. Captain Robertson had brought with him some specie, for the purpose of purchasing New Zealand produce, the loss of which is a colonial calamity.