THE FIRST MATE'S STATEMENT.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 139, 4 May 1881, Page 2

THE FIRST MATE'S STATEMENT.

I turned m at 4 a.m., leaving the cap* tain and second mate on deck. At 5.25 a.m. the vessel struck. When I left the dtick she was steering west. From 2to 4 we had been steering W.B.W. The weather was hazy over the laud, but I noticed nothing unusual. When I called the watch the captain came on deck, and altered the course as stated. I was asleep when the Vessel struck. I rushed on deck and the engines were reversed, but this was iio use. She struck aft anil unshipped her rudder and broke her propeiler. The engines were of no use, and stopped. All hand were called to clear away b»ats.. Ten minutes after the engines stopped the ship was full of water. A t 5.30, the first boat was lowered, with the second mate ?n charge, and four sailors and one passenger, to try for landing. The passenger Lawrence, a young man, when the boat was half way, swam ashore, baring previously promised if successful, to remain and help m landing the passengers. He did so, after finding his way to Mr. Brunton's station and causing to be sent the first telegraph mes. sage coming to band. The messenger was Charles Gibbi, who wrote thirtyfive miles to Wyndham by 42.30. Another attempt at landing the passengers was made, but of five two were drowned m the surf. Another boat was lowered, and the carpenter sent with it to see if landing was practicable on the reef. His report was unsatisfactory, and the second mate was sent, and tried landing on the reef bnt without success. One man way lost. The captain next sent the first mate m charge of a boat containing three passengers and a boy. All landed safely except the boy, who was drowned. The boat was capsized and opened at both ends, and thus became useless. Repairs were made by men ou shore, but the sea was too heavy to launch her. The vessel all this time was thumpiug heavily. Some of the passengers bad taken to the riggings, and others were clustering oh the. forecastle, but a head sea vatTbreaking over them htavily. At 2 30 there was a heavy sea breaking, and which washed several passengers (women and children) over, and after that they dropped off one by one.