THE SCENE AFTER THE COLLISION.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1894, 14 July 1863, Page 3

THE SCENE AFTER THE COLLISION.

The scene which succeeded the momentary but fatal shock of the vessels it is not easy to realise, those even who were participators in it having but hazy and mystified conceptions of anything beyond their own individual experiences. On the part of a few on board the Pride of the Yarra, there was some slight anticipation of the result, and of preparation for some contingency; but it was still hard to imagine that these gay bright lights which were only visible was the signal of the approach of a terrible engine of destruction ; and the mental shock at ihe sudden realization of their position was not less than the physical one, by the mere contact of the two vessels. On the other vessel there is described as being equal astonishment at the sudden appearance of what was more like an evil spirit breaking through the cloud of darkness which overhung the face of the waters, than any mere human contrivance. But the instinct of self-preservation dispersed all the fancies in which a mere observer might have indulged. As the water was heard to rush into the vessel's hold, and as the deck was felt to subside below the fickle surface, the crowd on deck advanced with all the rapidily which love of lifft could inspire, to the point of attachment of the two vessels. Here, also, the hands on board the Favorite approached, to rescue the many who were claimants for assistance, and who were struggling hard to get upon the safe side of her bulwarks. There was burryand confusion not a little, of course, but all the haste that could be used was needed, for down and down still was the motion of the vessel, and with the exception of the first few who caught the Favorite's bulwarks, all were partially immersed, and, becoming more deeply immersed as tha Pride was sucked bead foremost into the deep yawning gulf. And, naturally, as the crowd pressed forward to the only place of hope their aggregate weight depressed the boat still more at the very point of danger, aggravating the critical character of their position, until at last all were floundering in the water, and were only saved by seizing hold of each other as one by one, like a chain of living links, they were drawn in over the side. While this was going on the boat had gradually turned, so as almost to lie abreast of the fore-part of the Favourite, and some of those nearer the stern were able to save themselves as the majority had done in the scramble at the bows. Of those who were in the little fore cabin, if there were any, the fate must have been sudden and terrible. They must have been stifled in an instant, if not bruised to death by tbe concussion, and their bodies have probably floated out, as tbe deck became detached and rose to the surface of the water, leaving the hull to sink. Of those in the hold it is hoped that all have been saved though their escape must have been narrow. One of the number, a young man from Port Chalmers, who bad all his effects and some amount of money with him, was one of the first out, and yet he was up to his neck in water, and was only, like many more providentially saved. Of those who were aft, Mr J. Gleadow was one, and as be made for the bows he bad the misfortune to fall into the open hatchway, by that time concealed by the water, and to sustain a fracture of some of his ribs, in consequence of which Le is now lying at the Port Chalmers Hotel. The worst situated, and, as it proved, the worst fated were those in the cabin. Captain Wilson, of the William Miskin and Mr Thomas Kingston, who were here seated, just succeeded in making their escape as the water was running in breast-high. A lame gentleman, Captain of the cutler Alpha, who was near the door, was also pulled out by Captain Spence. But the family of Mr Campbell, happy in tbe knowledge of arrival at their new home, and so unhappy in their fate at the very threshold — they must have been pressed down and suffocated by the rush of cold, chilling choking water, under circumstances of agony from the contemplation of which the mind must withdraw overcome with utter horror. Cribbed, cabined, and confined, they had not even the drowning man's hope. So thorough was the surprise, and so sudden the sealing of tkeir fate, that it is said no cry or ssream of despair was heard to rise from tbe lips of the fated family. | Another moment, the Pride of the Yarra and all within her, dead or dying, went down, only a few dark objects — some say swags, some think men — floating over the scene of the disaster. One man, at least, is said to hare got separated from the general rush, and to have floated off, crying wiidly for "Help! oh help!" , and courage was given him by those on board i with promises of this help ; — lines were thrown to him and avr.t him but there.was no capacity to seize them — he gave one more but a weaker cry ; and when the Fivorite was so shifted ns to approach the position from which the sound had come, the people peered down upon the blank face of the black water. After half-an-bour's delay at the spot, all who were rescued were brought to Port Chalmers, and towards midnight they were reshipped for Dunedin, by tbe Golden Age. Most fortunate it was that the two boats clung together even for the short time they did — though that was not more than three or four minutes. Had they driven apart after the first concussion, who can say how few there might have been left to tell the tale.