Untitled

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XX, 15 November 1902, Page 1238

The fact that the Elingamite was slightly overdue, and that the shipping community and people expecting friends had been on the look-out for her throughout the day, in no measure prepared the public mind for the sensational news of the vessel’s wreck, which was received in Auckland between 8 and 9 p.m. on Monday. Not since on the morning of November 1, 1894, when the ill-clad and dejected survivors of the unfortunate Wairarapa were brought up from the Barrier by the Argyle has such a disaster come so nearly home to us.

When the news reached town last night it was circulated by all available channels by the “Star.” A few of those more immediately concerned, including many who were expecting relatives or friends by the steamer. collected at the telegraph office, and the audible sobbing of the women and strained faces of the men awaiting news of the fate of husband. wife, child or other near relation made a piteous sight. It was net til a very late hour that the brief original message, stating that 37 passengers and 15 of the crew hai arrived in the first boat at Hohoura, and that four other boats and two rafts were missing, was supplemented by a list of those whose safety was known. The scenes that followed as the names were read out, and anxiety was relieved or intensified in individual eases, were pathetic in the extreme.

Till yesterday no additional particulars were received, and the “Star” office was, with the telegraph office, besieged throughout the day by anxious enquirers. In town the sensation usurped the place of all other topics of conversation. “Star” special correspondents and “Graphic” photographers went north by the special steamers which left at an early hour in the morning. The following telegrams from various sources give a graphic narrative of the disaster: