NARRATIVE OF MR ALLEN.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2729, 8 September 1868, Page 3

NARRATIVE OF MR ALLEN.

August 22nd, 1868. Wo 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 neareel the entrance to Tory Channel and dinner had just commenced when tho accident occurred. I will endeavor to give tho particulars as they appeared to mo — 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 sea breaking ou the rocks on the north side, and upon which the sun was shining, entirely occupied my attention, when suddenly I heard from tho Captain, in a low tone, the words " stop her," followed by " full speed astern ;" instantly turning and J looking straight ahead I saw the 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 tho engine-room, knocking down the man at the wheel, and at the same time clearing the dinner table in the saloon, and sending its occupants hurriedly on deck, the vessel still striking, though apparently not so heavily; on tho 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 lees than that she must immediately go to pieces, and felt, truly thankful to find her leaving the reef, and being enrried rapidly by the strong tido into tho entrance, but so close did she pass round tho Boat Rock, that it did not appear difficult for a bold swimmer to have jumped overboard and reached tho shore in tho small bay just inside tho entrance on the south side ; in fact, I was near to trving 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 havo been expected, probably owing to tho suddenness of tho calamity. Tho first thing we learned was that the propeller was knocked away entirely, and the engine rendered useless, except, for pumping, to which purpose tho Engineer informed mo that it was immediately applied, and continued to work until tho water reached the fires, when steam was at once blown off. Little time was lost in launching tho boats, and bringing thorn in succession to the gangway, wliich was lowered, and tho 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, luggago not allowed to bo takou, she then left, by this time wo had drifted nearly a mile, and it became necessary to keep the vessel as near the shore as possible, hoping to drift into somo bay, where she could be beached, tho Captain not feeling inclined to risk crossing to tho opposite side, fearing the vessel might sink in mid-channel. Lines wore got out, and all the boats employed in towing ; we tried a little with one 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 tho shape of cargo, however, some passengers and luggage were landed ; the ship driftiii™ swicl not at all manageable. Several pixssengers wero iti the boats aiding in pulling, hardly any remaining on board. It now began to get dark, and I felt vory 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 bo spared. At last a whaleboat canio alongside, and after considerable delay, occasioned principally by tho anxiety of some passengers to get away in her, a start was effected about 6.30 p.m. — I having become answerable for tho payment for her sorviccs. Mr Kobbell, tho purser, by my direction, went in the boat, in order to forward tho telegraphic message, the charge of tho mails I undertook during his absence. Tho vessel was now nearly deserted, with the exception of tho 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, tho Captain's attention being entirely directed to tho towing operation with occasional reports as to the 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 tho water still kept gaining. Anything more deplorable than the state of tho vessel at this time it is difficult to imagine. Shortly afterwards, by tho aid of the few porsons that could be collected, tho mails were got up, though tho water had already reached tho mailroom and wetted some of tho bags. About 8 o'clock a small boat with two men came alongside, and as lights could bo seen showing that we were at tho entrance of somo bay, afterwards found to be Bowden's Bay, I engaged these mon to assist in landing tho mails. Mr Bowden shortly afterwards came up with his boat, followed by one belonging to the ship, in which was tho Bishop of New Zealand, all tho mails were then taken ashore and landed in tho first conveniont spot, the boats again going off to tho vessel. Some timo afterwards, namely about 9 o'clock, the steamer's bows camo on a rock where she stuck and could not be moved ; every one then left her, tho Captain remaining on board, as customary, to tho last. To return to tho mails, it was found necessary at onco to remove them as they wore not abovo high wator mark. A few of the saloon passengers, principally tho younger portion, having collected together, boxes and bags woro cheerfully shouldered by willing hands, and the whole carried round the wot and slippery beach and placed in safety under covor of Messrs Bowdon's boat shed, together with a considerable number of packages of luggage which came ashore with tho mails ; this being accomplished tho Mrs Bowdons had made us some hot tea, a most welcome dish, which we had nearly finished, when tho cry arose that the Tarauaki was going down — she slid off at once into

for tho pr3cnfc the career of the Taranaki. I took note of the time when slio fii'st struck — exactly 4.40. The time when she finally sank was 10. 10, us noted by several passengers, being exactly six hours ; during this time, by the aid of the tide and the boat;? towing her, wo drifted about two and a half miles. Every soul, nearly 150 in number, were landed without a. single accident- — without oven a solitary ducking. I have not heard of a scratch. Several falls took place on tho slippery be.ich, but no one received more than a slight bruise or two. Subsequently the Captain went round by boat to where the ladies and children wore landed ; but they determined to remain where they were, and I think wisely for themselves, as Messrs Bowdcn's house was crammed to excess. Between 7 and Bon the following morning the arrival of tho Airedale was announced, she havinr; picked up the ladies and children and a largo number of tho passengers on her way up the Sound. No time was lost in shipping tho 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 tho 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 wove 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 tho utmost, assisting to place the ladies and children in the boats, and allowing the steerage passengers to precede them in 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, storc3 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 Caj)tain, 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 I many lives dependent upon him, and tho charge of so large an amount of property. In conclusion, I cannot close this account without bringing under notice the truly hospitable treatment we received at tho hands of tho Messrs Bowdcn and their good wives. Thoir 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 the 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 tho Lady Bird. Thanks is but a poor return for such hospitality, and I trust to sec somo more substantial acknowledgement. — I am,&c, William: Allen.