NARRATIVE OF MR ALLEN.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2723, 25 August 1868, Page 4

NARRATIVE OF MR ALLEN.

August 22nd, 1868. We left the wharf in Wellington on Wednesday, 19th August, about 1.30. The passage across the Straits was of the ordinary character — a beautiful day — but owing, I suppose to the strong " flood tide" it was not a quick passage. We neared the entrance to Tory Channel and dinner had just commenced when the accident occurred. I will endeavor to give the particulars as they appeared to me — standing on the bridge close to the Captain, who had taken his position on the lifeboat, which from being much higher gave him a clearer view of the entrance. The magnificent view of the Bea breaking on the rocks on the north side, and upon which the sun was shining, entirely occupied my attention, when suddenly I heard from the Captain, in a low tone, the words " stop her," followed by " full speed astern j" instantly turning and looking straight ahead I saw tho Boat Rock close on the vessel's bows, even then it was almost impossible to understand the danger, although so close at hand. However little time was given to think, for in less time than occupied in writing this, the steamer ran up the rock, slid off, and then, lifted on the sea, struck heavily twice — immediately broaching to, an immense wave hove her broadside on the rocks, with a force that drove the donkey engine right into the middle of the engine-room, knocking down the mail at the wheel, and at the same time clearing the dinner table in tho saloon, and sending its occupants hurriedly on deck, the vessel still striking, though apparently not so heavily ; on the whole, I should think she struck ten or twelve times. The crashing noise made when she struck amidships was so fearful, that I expected nothing less than that she must immediately go to pieces, and felt j truly thankful to find her leaving the reef, and being carried rapidly by the strong tide into the entrance, but so close did she pass round the Boat Rock, that it did not appear difficult for a bold swimmer to have jumped ovei'board and j reached the shore in the small bay just inside tho entrance on the south side ; in fact, I was neav to trying it myself, but fortunately did not. Of course the consternation amongst the passengers was very great, but it was not of that heartrending description that might have been expected, probably owing to the suddenness of the calamity. The first thing we learned was that the propeller was knocked away entirely, and the engine rendered useless, except for pumping, to which purpose the Engineer informed me that it was immediately applied, and continued to work until the water reached the fires, when steam was at once blown off. Little time was lost in launching the boats, and bringing them in succession to the gangway, which was lowered, and the ladies and children assisted into the largest boat, with such few shawls and wraps as could be hurriedly collected and thrown in, orders were given to " shove off," and having landed at the first convenient spot, to return with tho boat at once. The next largest boat was hauled alongside, and the steerage passengers placed therein, life being of most consequence, luggage not allowed to be taken, she then left, by this time we had drifted nearly a mile, and it became necessary to keep the vessel as near tho shore as possible, hoping to drift into some bay, where she could be beached, tho Captain not feeling inclined to risk crossing to the opposite side, fearing the vessel might sink in mid-channel. Lines wero got out, and all tho boats employed in towing ; we tried a little with ono or two sails, but did not appear to make much way with them. The water all this time kept gradually gaining, and the boats being fully occupied, it was not possible to save anything in the shape of cargo, however, some passengers and luggage were landed ; the ship drifting and not at all manageable. Several passengers were in the boats aiding in pulling, hardly any remaining on board. It now began to get dark, and I felt very anxious to get a boat sent to Picton in order to telegraph to Wellington, but owing to the ship's boats being occupied none could be spared. At last a whaleboat came alongside, and after considerable delay, occasioned principally by the anxiety of some passengers to get away in her, a start was effected about 6.30 p.m.— l having become answerable for the payment for her services. Mr Kebbell, the purser, by my direction, went in the boat, in order to forward the telegraphic message, the charge of the mails I undertook during his absence. The vessel was now nearly deserted, with the exception of the Captain, myself, and a few persons whom it was too dark to recognise, and tho Steward and assistants were all that now remained on board ; and solitary enough it was, the Captain's attention being entirely directed to the towing operation with occasional reports as to tho water gaining upon us ; of course I could not speak to him, and therefore wandered about the vessel not feeling inclined to go below as the water still kept gaining. Anytliing more deplorable than tho state of the vessel at this time it is difficult to imagine. Shortly afterwards, by the aid of tho few persons that could be collected, tho mails were got up, though the water had already reached the mailroom and wetted some of the bags. About 8 o'clock a small boat with two men came alongside, and as lights could bo seen showing that we wero at the entrance of some bay, afterwards found to be Bowden's Bay, I engaged these men to assist in landing the mails. Mr Bowden shortly afterwards came up with his boat, followed by one belonging to the ship, in which was the Bishop of New Zealand, all the mails were then taken ashore and landed in tho first convenient spot, the boats again going off to the vessel. Some time afterwards, namely about 9 o'clock, the steamer's bows came on a rock where she stuck and con] d not be moved \ every ono then left her, the Ca ptain remaining on board, as customary, to the last. To return to tho mails, it was found necessnry at once to romove them as they were not above high water mark. A few of the 6aloou passengers, principally tho younger portion, having collected together, boxes and bags were cheerfully shouldered by willing hands, and the whole carried round the wet and slippery beach and placed in Bafety under cover of Messrs Bowden's boat shod, together with a considerable number of packages of luggage which came ashore with 'the mails; this being.

iccoinplished the Mrs Bowdens liad made us ome hot tea, a most welcome dish, which we had ■oarly finished, when the cry arose that the Taramki was going down — she slid off at once into eep water with a most fearful noise, and so closes, or the present, the career of the Taranaki. I ook note of the time when she first struck — jxactly 4.40. The time when she finally sunk was 10.40, as noted by several passengers, being exu'tly six hours ; during this time, by the aid of he tido and the boats towing her, we drifted ibout two and a half miles. Every soul, nearly 150 n number, were landed without a single accident — without even a solitary ducking. I have not ■icai'd of a scratch. Several falls took place on r.lie slippery beach, but no one received more than i slight bruise or two. Subsequently the Captain went round by boat to where the ladies and chilIren were landed ; but they determined to remain where they were, and I think wisely for themselves, as Messrs Bowden's house was crammed to excess. Between 7 and Bon the following morning the arrival of, the Airedale was announced, she having picked up the ladies and children and a large number of the passengers on her way up the Sound. No time was lost in shipping the mails, the remaining passengers and all luggage and effects saved from the wreck, and the Airedale steamed away for Picton. I remained behind, and returned to Wellington in the Lady Bird. I beg to be understood as only intending, in this imperfect narrative, to give a rough sketch of what immediately fell under my own observation. I have purposely avoided individualising any one, as most of the passengers were entire strangers to me, and, having determined to remain in the ship as long as possible, I had few opportunities of noting the exertions of any one in particular. I can only say that the saloon passengers generally exerted themselves to the utmost, assisting to place the ladies and children in the boats, and allowing the steerago passengers to precede them m the next boat, aiding in pulling the boats, landing luggage, &c, and doing all this wet and dirty work most cheerfully. The steward and his assistants were indefatigable in saving luggage, stores and ship property, and afterwards, when on shore, striving to do all that could be done to make the passengers as comfortable as possible. Of the Captain, with whom I remained nearly the whole time, I can truly say that ho conducted himself throughout these trying circumstances with the utmost coolness, in fact behaving as become one placed in the responsible position of having so many lives dopendent upon him, and the chargo of so lai'ge an amount of property. In conclusion, I cannot close this account without bringing under notice the truly hospitable treatment wo received at tho bands of tho Messrs Bowden and their good wives. Their house was freely placed at our disposal, relays of tea were made nearly all night, and good fires kept. No one could sleep, the house being crammed to excess. Every accommodation they had to offer was pressed upon us with such genuine warmth and good will that it increased the obligation fourfold, and will not be readily effaced from tho minds of the recipients, even after the departure of the Airedale. A considerable number of persons were left behind who remained until taken off by the Lady Bird. Thanks is but a poor return for such hospitality, and I trust to see some more substantial acknowledgement. — I am, &c, William Allen. THE DEPOSITIONS TAKEN AT PICTON. Henry Burdett Francis, Master of s.s. Taranaki, stated — At about half-past four o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, 19th August, 1868, as I was entering the Tory Channel, Sood tide, the vessel took a sudden shcei', the helm was put hard aport, and found it had no effect on her ; I stopped the engines, and went full speed astern ; the strength of the tide, and the way the vessel had, prevented her clearing the rocks ; the vessel struck heavily about the engino room, and draging along the rocks, where the tide was carrying her ; the propeller was carried away soon after she struck first ; the tide carried her clear of the rocks into mid-channel, and with the assistance of tho boats towed her into Worser's Bay, where she grounded on a point forward, and gradually filled, and sunk in ten fathoms, about a quarter to eleven o'clock. The Eight Eeverend the Lord Bishop of Lichfield, passenger on board tho s.s. Taranaki, stated, — At the time the vessel struck all the passengers, including myself, were in the cabin at dinner, the only officer present was the Purser, at the head of the table ; saw through tho port that the vessel was very near in shore, and heard the engines stop, and afterwards go on again. In a very short time the vessel bumped violently ; after a short pause the passengers were advised to go on deck ; saw the vessel lying broudside against the rock ; the engines were stopped, and vessel drifted into tho passage ; struck again very violently three times, apparently in different parts of the ship, and then cleared the rock into deep water ; whilst exposed to tho swell of tho sea tho vessel rolled heavily ; as soon as the ship was in deep water saw the crow employed in lowering the boats ; two boats were quickly ready, and the womon and children were sent off in the first boat ; the vessel drifted rapidly up the passage with the flood tide, and the boats returned twice took ashore passengers, and landed them at the nearest available place ; a whaleboat from the shore came to help ; when the larger number of passengers were on shore, the boats went ahead, to tow the vessel, and continued towing till she was near enough in shore to run out a cable ; by this time it was quite dark, but before dark, saw the steamer's sails set ; spanker, jib, and topsail ; if there had been any wind would have gone into Worser's Bay, being just off the mouth of it ; from a boat alongside I saw that the vessel was hauling ahead, and hopecl that she would bo saved ; shortly after she struck a rock ; I went with the boat with one of the officers to find a bank which Captain Francis had been told of by one of the men ashore, with a view of warping her off the rock, on to the bank ; found the bank, came back and reported it to the CaptaiiTj but at that time the water was up to the level of the stern posts, and the vessel fixed on the rock ; staid by her till we saw that she was sinking fast by the stern, then went down in one of tho ship's boats, to carry provisions to the ladies ; about an hour after, Captain Francis came down, bringing a further supply of provisions and water, and reported that the vessel had sunk a quarter of an hour after we had left ; I am of opinion that everything was done that was possible to save the vessel and to secure the lives of the passengers ; during the period of five hours from the time of tho vessel's striking at the heads, to the time of her striking on the rock in Worser's Bay, tho officers and crew were actively employed in landing the passengers and attempting to save the vessel ; no delay or confusion occurred in lowering tho boats. William Kennedy, passenger on board, stated — I was on deck on entering Tory Channel ; I was standing alongside a fellow passenger, a Mr Jackson, on tho bridge, and I was taking particular notice of the entrance ; Mr Jackson observed to me that we were getting very close on the rocks ; I looked round and saw Captain Francis giving orders to the man at the wheel so that I thought it was all right ; the current was running very strong at tho time ; about (100) one hundred yards before we reached the rocks I heard Captain Francis order the engines to be stopped ; and a few seconds afterwards the order was given to go full speed astern ; I could then . see that the tido would carry her on to the rocks ; immediatelyafterthatshestruck, and then Captain Francis gave orders to lower the boats j I consider that no delay or confusion took place in lowering tho boats, and that every effort was made by Captaiu Francis, the officers and crew in their endeavour to savo the ship and the lives of the passengers. Alexander Eastgate, a passenger on board, stated, — I was standing on the bridge on board tho s.s. Taranaki as she entered Tory Channel ; somo little distance after entering tho heads I noticed that the vessel did not answer her helm very well ; I watched tho Captain, and noticed that he gave several orders to the man at the wheel, repeating his signal j a short distanco be- ' fore reaohing the rooks, Captain Francis ordered I ;

the engines to be stopped, and immediately afterwards ordered full speed astern ; I noticed thai she did not appear to move astern, but drifted with the tide on to the rock 3 ; on looking over the side I found that the tide was flowing fast past the vessel, and that she was being carried nearer the rocks ; she very shortly struck about midships j the rock upon which she first struck was below the water, she afterwards drifted on to other rocks above the water ; the Captain then gave orders to stand by, and lower the boats ; the pumps were worked, the boats lowered, and in my opinion every possible exertion was made by the Captain, officers and crew to save the vessel, and lives of the passengers ; at the time of the accident taking place, I believe the officers and crew were sober and attending to their duties. George Thomas Jackson, passenger on board, stated, — I was on the bridge of the s.s. Taranaki, on her entering Tory Channel ; the Captain was on the bridge on the look out, as we entered the heads ; I have on several previous occasions j passed through the entrance of Tory Channel and j it struck me on this occasion that the tide appeared much stronger than I had seen it before ; there was little or no wind ; the weather clear ; I was on the bridge at the time she struck on the rocks ; it appeared to me either that the vessel would not answer her helm, or that the tide was too strong for her ; having sailed on several previous occasions with Captain Francis, I noticed that his conduct appeared to be as usual, and he was not in any way unduly excited, but generally attentive to his duties ; in my opinion he behaved with great coolness, and exhibited good judgment in his endeavours to save the vessel and the lives of the passengers. Joseph Nancarbow, Inspector of Steamers and Engineer-Surveyor, a passenger on board, stated, — I was passenger on board the s.s. Taranaki, on her trip from Wellington to Picton, on the 19th day of August, 1868, while at dinner in the saloon, at about forty minutes past four p.m. on the above date, I first heard the engines stop, and then I think go astern ; immediately left the tyble, and while on my way, before ascending the companion steps, I heard the ship strike on the port side, two or three times violently ; when I got on deck I saw that she was stuck fast on a rock amidships, on the port side ; I could distinctly see the rock close under the vessel partly above water ; I went on to the bridge and commenced clearing away the boats for lowering ; as soon as the ship's hands commenced working at the boats, I went into the engine-room, and saw there on the port side, about two feet six inches from the floor, a lai'gc rent in the plate, close to one of the frames ; the men in the engine-room were trying to stop the leak with some woollen material, which they failed to do ; I then went for the carpenter, and got him to close the door in the after bulk head ; he did this ; I then ascertained from him that in the next compartment the sluice valve was closed ; the deck pumps were rigged I believe ; the vessel made water very fast in the engine-room compartment ; it rose to the bottom of the cylinders in about an hour after the vessel struck ; from soundings taken by the carpenter and chief engineer in the after compartment, I found by time that sho was making about an inch of water per minute ; I believe that in an hour and a-half after she struck, that there was about two feet six inches of water in the fore hold ; when it. was found that the ship was making a great deal of water, the engines were started with the bilge injection open, for the purpose of keeping the ship clear ; but as the whole of the propeller appeared to be earned away, the engines could not be worked slow enough for pumping by the injection ; tho donkey engine was carried away by the concussion with the rocks and was therefore not available for pumping ; the deck pump in the after compartment was kept at work, and threw a great quantity of water, but not sufficient to keep the vessel free ; the boats were lowered in an orderly manner, and were found complete in their equipment, and were used for taking the passengers ashore ; after tho vessel cleared the rock, she drifted through the channel to Worser's Bay ; she ai'rived there in about au hour and a-half after clearing the rock ; I left the vessel in a whaleboat for Picton, for the purpose of telegraphing the news to Wellington, off Worser's Bay, at fifteen minutes past six p.m., on the 19th ; when I left the four Bhip's boats were trying hard to tow the vessel into Worser's Bay ; all, or nearly all the passengers being ashore or in the boats ; I consider that every effort was made by the Captain, officers, crew and passengers to save tho vessel and the lives of the persons on board.