DESTRUCTION OF A NEW ZEALAND PACKET SHIP BY FIRE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1702, 21 February 1862, Page 5

DESTRUCTION OF A NEW ZEALAND PACKET SHIP BY FIRE.

[From the Halifax Guardian.'] NARRATIVE OF A PASSENGER.

The Londou and New Zealand passenger ship William Brown, Captain Barclay commander, was totally destroyed by fire on the night of the 2nd inst , in lat. 36.44, long. 12.3 W., near the Western Islands. The William Brown was a barque-rigged vessel, about 500 tons, classed A 1 at Lloyd's and was taken up by Messrs. Shaw and Savill, the New Zealand emigration agents aud brokers in Leadnhall-street, for a voyage to New Plymouth, She had a general cargo of merchandise, and some 11 or 12 first class and steerage passengers. Mr, Hirst, formerly of Halifax, was a passenger (with Mrs. Hirst), on their return to New Plymouth, and they arrived in this town at the end of last week. We are happy to learn that Mr. Hirst was fortunate enough to save his private papers. The William Brown and . her cargo were partially insured at Lloyd's. The loss is estimated at £30,000, We have been favoured with the following extracts from a letter of one of the lady ; passengers: — Madeira, Oct. 7th, 1861. My dear—, — Our sbip, the William Brown ( Captain Barclay) is destroyed by fire, but I will try as far as my shattered nerves will allow to give you an account of the terrible disaster. I wrote to you from Plymouth the day we left, we bad terrible weather through the Bay of Biscay, such fearful gales, and the wind mostly against us. On Wednesday, the 2nd of October when we were about 250 miles from the nearest land, the wind changed in our favour, but there was a feaiful sea running. We sat rather long at our tea, the captain was so cheerful and bopeful. After tea he went on deck, and Mr. H. with him, in a few minutes one of the men came, and said there was smoke coming out of the hold ; the captain and mates went foiward Mr. H. came and told me ; I put on my shawl and bonnet and went up, the men came to get buckets, or anything, to hold water, some of the children had gone to bed, we got them up and dressed them on the poop, and brought their blankets up. It began to rain and we went down into the cabin, but it was full of smoke and we were obliged to go up again. I got my pocket with my purse in it, and Mr. H. got his portmanteau with his papers in. Tt rained a little and we covered ourselves with the blanket. The scene forward was all confusion, the "captain came aft and told us to keep up as be thought they were getting the lite under. -The stewaid got up a bag of biscuits and a cask of water the captain's desk aud sextant; we did not know that he had gone-down again for the chart- The captain called " steward," there was no answer, and he rushed into the cabin and shouted help. Mr. H. ran down, and in an instant they brought the lifeless body of the poor steward. We did what we could to restore animation, raised his bead, pressed bis chest and blew in his mouth, but be was quite goue. The captain was obliged to leave him to us, he tried agaiu to get the chart, Mr. H. calling to him from the cabin. He succeeded and brought it to me to take charge of. They then closed the cabin so that no air could get in. The captain again came aft aud said there was no hope of getting the fire under; and called the men to launch the boats, the woman and children sitting fearfully quiet : nothing was heard from them but the voice of prayer, the little boys kneeling on the deck with theirs hands clasped and their faces turned upwards. Those words of our Saviour came to my mind . "Fear not, only believe !" We all prayed that a ship might be sent to our rescue ; I told them it was our duty not only to pray, but to believe. The flames had now burst forth with great fury, it was supposed that it was oil and turpentine that was burning. The captain feared that tbe foremast would be burnt through. The mate aud four of the crew got into the long boat and took in the biscuit and water, (about 501bs. of the former and 8 gallons of the latter.) We then threw in the blankets, and tbe women and children were lowered. I was the last, they tied two ropes round me, the sea was roaring and the boat dashing about fearfully. They lowered me twice, and the third time I got safe into the bottom of the boat. The male passengers were lowered, and then the sailors. Tbe captain, second male, and four men re znained in the ship. The boat dashed against the burning ship, and we thought every moment she would be stove in. or the mast would fall on her. We at last got clear of the ship, but were still fast to her by a long rope. All this was within four hours from the (ire being first discovered. We saw them lower the captain's gig, the captain being tbe last man to leave the ship. They came up to us, and the captain got into our boat. We still were fast to the ship by the rope. They had an axe ready to cut tbe rope, and the gig was fastened to our boat. I was sitting in the middle of the boat, and was up to the waist in water. The captain would have me move to the end of the boat where the other women weie. He lifted me up and got me a more Comfortable position, with Mr. H beside me. The old cook then got a bucket ■ and' can, and baled tbe water out of the boat. Now the masts and sails were on fire, and they thought it unsafe to remain near the ship. The captain said they could see the lire 20 miles off, and our only chance of being picked up was by remaining near the ship. The men cut the rope, and we drifted away ; it was a great relief, all though we feared the result. We still kept near the sbip, the waves every minute appearing to swallow us up. We shipped several seas, the water coming completely over us ; tbe cook baling out as fast as he was able. Towards midnight, the wind increased, and we bad a cross sea ; the men worked with all their might to keep the boat end on to the sea, as sbe was continually working lound broadside, and then there was nothing for it, but sbe would ship a heavy sea, and they feared she would be swamped. They lost tbieeoars overboard, but worked as men who worked for their lives. About one o'clock we thought we saw a light, every eye was strained, and in a short time, Ob what a rapturous sight', a gieen and red light were both visible, and a ship was evidently bearing down upon tbe burning ship ; but, alas, we were drit ting test away to windward. Tbe ntasts had gone, and the ship was fast drifting to leeward, one burning mass from stem to stern. Mr. T — —bad bis rifle, but the sea had washed over it,' and it would not fire. We had a lantern and a few matches, but they would rot light. They then shouted with all their might ; but oh, how faint it seemed ! There was nothing now but to pray and wait for daylight. They cut the captain's gig adrift, *and sent the men in it to try and get to tbe ship. Itjs?as with heavy Leans we saw the poor little boat bounce away on the tops of tbe

Waves, looking no higher than a cockle shell, and we soon lost sight of her. With truly thankful hearts we saw the first streak of daylight. We then took one of the oars and fastened two red handkerchiefs to it for a signal. We bad lost sight of the ship for some time, but as daylight increased we a^ain saw her bearing down upon us. None of those who have not been similarly situated can form an idea of what our feelings were. She was soon near us, and we were very thaukiul to see the secoud | mate and the four men all safe on board. They threw us a rope, which was matte fast to our boat, and we were soou all on board. The captain came last. It was a Swedish brig, bound from Stockholm to Bio Janeiro, laden with salt, the Hedwig Charlotte, Captain Hallengten. We were all wet, but my clothes were dripping to my waist. They dried our clothes and gave us their best to eat with hearty good will. The captain promised to land us at Madeira, the ship was very sweet and clean, and everyone ou board was anxious to do what they could for us. It was a weary time, and for fom nights we had no bed to lie upon, Jbut were safely landed at Madeira on Sunday afternoon. We went at once to the British consul's office. Tbe vice-consul came, and Captain Hallengren stated our case. Her Britannic Majesty's , representative, however, did not show us much sympathy, but sent for a Portugese lodgingbouse keeper and ordered him to provide for us, and promised to do [something for us in the morning. The lodging-house keeper had a son who spoke English, anil he did his best for us but had only two beds for 23 persons, besides a large family of bis own. They gave up one to us, and the women and the baby had the other., I enquired for the English church, but found they were all papists, and they brought me a bible. Next morning we went to the consul, but he said be could do nothing more for us, until an English sbip came in, and then he would get as a passage to England. Oh ; how my heart sank within me. Whilst we were in tbe office, an old gentleman came in and enquired our names. He said if we would enquire for Mr. Grant he would be happy to be of service to us. There was a steamer in for Lisbon, but the consul could not compel them to take us, as it was not an English vessel. He would not pay our passage but as distressed British subjects. They would take us second cabin at reduced fare. We found this would take all we had within & few shillings, but thought we should be in a better position at Lisbon, as there are regular steamers to England ; so we agreed to go. We went to Mr. Grant's, who asked what he could do for us. I told him we were going away, but I should be glad if I could get a little clothing for Mrs. T '$ baby. He said he would give me £2, and I was to get what I thought was best for them. Mrs. M and Mr. S had not a sixpence in the world, so I gave them each 10s. and Mrs. T 90s. They were very thankful. We were most kindly received on board the steamer, especially by tbe steward, who scarcely knew what to do for us. Next morning the passengers came on board, amongst whom were the governor and bis lady and several military men. A great number of priests came on board, and on leaving, the scene was most ridiculous ; they threw their arms round each, other aud kissed each other ou both cheeks, and ciied till tbe tears ran down their moustaches. We were glad to see Captain Barclay and our two other officers come on board. They told us that a subscription was being collected for the relief of our fellow passengers who had been left in Madeira. On coming away we saw the Consul, who offered to lend us something-, as he said he did not want us to go away and give him a bad nume (which we thought he had deserved.) We declined his offer, hoping to find more Chris tian kindness at Lisbon. We arrived at Lisbon on Friday morning, the Hth inst, at eleven o'clock, and went in haste, along with the steward, to the consul's office. The viceconsul had left, and the clerk, who " looked" like agentleeaao, was just leaving. The steward explained to him our situation, but he told us we were beyond tbe hours, and could uot see the vice-consul until twelve o'clock next day. We asked him what we were to do. Oh ! he supposed they must find a place for the seamen but he could do nothing for the passengers. Mr. H— said we were distressed British subjects. He replied we had no claim upon them, not even for a glass of water. Mr. H — said he had papers with him which would prove that we were not imposters, and asked him for the names of some English residents. This he refused to do, but seemed rather alanred; he called a messenger and spoke to him, and told us to go with tbe messenger. Mr. Sneyd (the kind-hearted steward) would have taken us to an English lodgiug house, but we had not money to pay with, and we thought it better to see what they would give us. The messenger took us to two horrid low lodging houses, but I would sooner have sat in the street all night than have entered either of them. The ncessenger was then joined by another, and they then took us to a tolerably decent house. In tbe morning we went to the consul's office, and found the vice-consul, who was very kind, and told us he could compel any English ship to take seamen, but with passengers it was different. He gave tbe captain and mates of tbe William Brown all the necessary papers, and it , was with heavy hearts we had to bid them good bye. The vice-consul told us there were six other shipwrecked seamen who were going in the steamer, but if the captain had room, be would pay our passage. The captain of the steamer came in, and the vice-consul arranged with him and paid our passage to London, giving him special charge to take care of me. The vice-consul then gave us tbe necessary papers, but oh ! such a fuss about the passport*, custom-house officers, police, &c, it seemed endless. It was with truly grateful hearts we bade the kind-hearted consul good bye. We were welcomed on board the steamer by Captain Barclay and his officers, and we thought our troubles were over for the present, but no, a number of officials and police came on board; when they had examined the passports, a man came to me and said they could not let me go, at I bad not a separate passport, the passport being lor Mr. H. and wife. Oh ! how my heart sank within me again. Captain Warne (of tbe Gladiator) spoke very kindly, but said he did not know how they were to get over the difficulty, as the police were ou board. The people stared at me as though I were some contraband goods. I begged and inUeated of tbein to let me go, and whether it was my sorrowful looks or they found there was nothing to get out of me, I do not know, but we were all glad to see them depart. At last we steamed away, but had not gone far when another official boat came to us, and I feared they were coming for me. They asked some questions and then left us. We at last arrived at Gravesend on tbe lSlh iost.

[Mrs. Hirst, the writer of the above, is known to some in Wellington, aud, at the request of some of them, we have pleasure in publishing it, — Ed. W. I.]