WRECK OF THE TAIAROA.
GJREA.T. LOSS OF LIFE,
FULL PARTICULARS OF THE DISASTER
Considerable excitement was created in town yesterday when it became known that the Union Company's steamer Taiaroa had been wrecked on the voyage from Wellington to Lyttelton. The first news was received by the Union Company about 9.30, and was published by us as an extra. It was from their Blenheim office, advising that news had reached there that the Taiaroa, which left Wellington at noon on Sunday, was ashore one mile north of the Clarence River, and that two of the passengers were saved. From time to time during the day extras were published in town, which kept the public informed of all the intelligence obtainable, and these were eagerly awaited. When the news came that the captain's boat, which had drifted away from the others, had landed at Wairau, it was thought, in view of only three bodies having been washed ashore, that perhaps more of the passengers and crew had escaped. This view was supported somewhat by the statement given in one telegram that one boat with females on board was still missing, and as the captain's boat had no females on board it was generally thought that another boat was still unaccounted for. This, however, appears not to be the case, as three of the boats were capsized; and out of those on board, only three reached the shore — namely. Sergeant Grant (of the Armed Constabulary), Constable Quartier, and one of the passengers named Gilbert Hutton. These three, with those saved in the captain's boat, will prove, it is to be feared, the only survivors of the sad catastrophe. During the day anxious inquiries by friends and relatives of those on board were made, but the out-of-the-way place in which the wreck occurred rendered it impossible to obtain accurate information.
The Union Company, with commendable promptitude, took steps to at once send relief to the scene of the wreck. Orders were sent to Wellington to despatch the Penguin for the scene, and to Lyttelton to send on the Wanaka there at once. The Blenheim manager of the Company was also requested to proceed overland to the scene, which is some 70 miles distant from Wellington.
THE PASSENGERS ON BOARD.
The passengers known to have been on board are as follow: —
SALOON.
Mrs Fitzgerald, wife of Mr G. G. Fitzgerald, editor of the Timaru Herald.
Mr R. H. Vallance, the well-known racing man.
Mr Ward, torpedo instructor, on his way to Oamaru in connection with the Easter review there.
Messrs Erskine and Graham, of Wellington. Mr Murray, from Nelson.
Mrs Anderson. Mr Galbraith (patent agent).
Mr James Ferguson, of Taranaki.
STEERAGE.
Constable McQuartier.
Sergeant Grant.
Mr Anderson.
Mr Hamilton.
Two men, named Smith and Harbored, are also stated to have been passengers.
OFFICERS AND CREW.
The following list of the officers and crew on board was supplied by the Union Company: —
George Thompson, master.
R. B. Monkman, first officer.
James Pursell, second officer.
R. Spooner, purser.
James West, carpenter.
D. Hill, lamp-trimmer.
John Jones, A.B.
R. Williamson, A.B.
P. McMillan, A.B.
James McGonagle, A.B.
John McKay, A.B.
Peter Hansen, A.B.
W. Quin, boy.
T. Dalrymple, chief engineer.
E. T. Stratford, second engineer.
W. Gain, donkeyman.
G. McDonough, fireman.
R. Irvine, fireman.
R. Morrison, trimmer.
R. William; trimmer.
J. Fielder, chief steward.
G. Whybrow, bedroom steward.
D. Campbell, pantryman.
T. Delaney, fore-cabin steward.
H. Bathgate, messroom steward.
Mrs M. A. Brown, stewardess.
F. Gallichan, chief cook.
W. Kellin, second cook.
J. McPhee (married), lamp-trimmer.
In our extras of yesterday the list of the crew was incorrect, as just before leaving on her last trip several .changes were made. The seaman J. Jones was left behind on account of illness, and John Hunter, a trimmer, was also left behind. Jones' place was filled by John McFie, and Hunter's by Robert Morrison. Munro, the bedroom steward, was also left behind, and is now employed on board the s.s. Manapouri. The second officer is Mr James Pursell, not Parnell; and the stewardess, Mrs Brown, is well known to those who travel between Dunedin and Oamaru, having been for a considerable time on board the s.s. Beautiful Star. We are informed that John McFie is married, and has one child. His wife resides in Dunedin. The lamp-trimmer, W. Hill, is married, but has no family. His wife resides in Dunedin. The seamen Williamson, McMillan, McGonagle, McKay, and Hanson are all unmarried. W. Gain, the donkey driver, is married and has a family in Dunedin. Morrison, one of the firemen, is also married, with a family in Dunedin. Mr Fielder, the chief steward, is also a married man; and so far as we can ascertain, the remainder of the crew are unmarried. Robert Morrison, who took Hunter's (the trimmer) place, is also said to be a married man; without family.
The following telegrams received by us give all the particulars obtainable: —
THE FIRST NEWS OF. THE WRECK
(Per United Press Association.) Wellington, April 12.
The steamer Taiaroa, bound from Wellington for Lyttelton, went ashore hear Clarence River yesterday. The vessel is on her beam ends. Two passengers were washed ashore. It is believed all lives are lost. The steamer went ashore at Waipapa Point, half-way between Cape Campbell and Kaikouras.
The captain of the Taiaroa is supposed to have got away seaward with a boat containing the women. The captain's boat got adrift from the other three boats, which subsequently capsized. These boats were filled with the passengers and crew.
SAFETY OF THE CAPTAIN AND TEN MORE.
At 2.15 p.m. the Union Company received the following telegram from their Blenheim agent: — "The captain and 10 men (including three passengers) have turned up in their boat at Wairau bar. I am sending the Waihi down for them."
LIST OF THOSE SAVED.
The following is a list of those known to have been saved in the captain's boat: —
PASSENGERS.
Thomas Olliver
Robert Henderson
John Harper (of Christchurch).
CREW.
Captain Thompson
D. Dalrymple, engineer
William Quin, boy
William Cain, donkeyman
James West, carpenter
John McKay, A.B.
Duncan Campbell, steward
Joseph Feilder, chief steward.
In addition to the above are the three passengers who got ashore, viz.: — Sergeant Grant, Constable McQuartier, Gilbert Hutton.
STATEMENTS OF THE SURVIVORS.
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
Wellington, April 12. A very painful sensation was created here to-day by the arrival of the news that the s.s. Taiaroa, which left this port yesterday, had been wrecked with deplorable loss of life. It was not till the afternoon was well advanced that any information of a definite character could be obtained, and even up to the present the available details have been very meagre. I am indebted to the courtesy of Mr Puflett, of the U.S.S. Company, for copy of the following telegram received from their Blenheim agent: —
Gilbert Hutton, a passenger from Wellington, formerly in the Government service, says: "The Taiaroa struck between 7 and 8 on Sunday evening. An attempt was made to get a line ashore, but failed. The boat I was in capsized, and I was picked up. The boat Sergeant Grant was in also capsized. All the crew and passengers had cork jackets on.
Sergeant Grant states: — "Four boats started from the ship's side. I was in the starboard life-boat. She was swamped about 10 o'clock. The captain's boat broke adrift and went to sea. Of the four boats, three capsized. The vessel is lying half a mile to the northward of Waipapa Point, her bow about 50 yards from the shore, and her broadside nearly parallel with the beach. She is heeled over a little to port. The sea is striking her with great force, but not washing over the bridge or the poop. Three bodies have been found about three miles to the northward of the wreck. One boat with the females is supposed to be at sea."
A further telegram states that Constable McQuartier, from whom little information can be obtained, was washed ashore four miles north of Kekerangu, 16 miles from the scene of the wreck. Twenty-nine persons were in his boat, including the mate, stewardess, and five women, who were all drowned. He thought the captain's boat must have swamped about half-past 6 this morning, and that all hands were lost. He believes the boat he was in beached at half-past 6 this morning, as his watch stopped at that hour. He is still very weak and unable to talk.
MAILS AND CARGO.
I am indebted to the courtesy of the Postmaster-general for the following information as to the Taiaroa's mails: — "There were eight bags of mails in the Taiaroa — six from Wellington and two from Nelson. There were five registered letters from Wellington for Government officers, and the senders have been advised that the letters were in the Taiaroa. Special search is being made for the mails, and the steamer will be boarded as soon as the sea goes down and the mail-room examined. It is believed that the mails are still in the steamer."
The Taiaroa took onboard at this port the following cargo: — 50 sacks barley, transhipped from Wanganui by Hogan and Co.; 50 boxes soap, shipped by Kitchen and Sons; 2 cases, by Thomson, Shannon, and Co.; 1 case and a quantity of iron for the N.Z.S. Company. She also had a small quantity of cargo from Nelson.
THE STEAMER'S DEPARTURE FROM WELLINGTON,
The ill-fated Taiaroa left Wellington shortly before noon yesterday, on her usual run to Lyttelton, Akaroa, and Dunedin. The weather was exceedingly fine, and she had a strong favourable breeze from the north. The barometer, however, was falling steadily, and a change was deemed to be impending. The change came on with startling suddenness about 4 p.m., and a severe gale from the south followed, with torrents of rain and very thick weather. The departure of the Taiaroa was attended by several special features. She had to put back no fewer than three times to take late passengers on board. On one of these occasions the warp snapped with a loud report, knocking down and injuring a sailor, and narrowly missing several bystanders on the wharf. Several passengers missed their passages or decided at the last moment not to go. It is usual to book on board on the Sunday steamer, so that it is hardly possible to tell exactly who did or did not go. Several bookmakers intended to go, but changed their minds at the last moment. Mr Beaver, formerly of Moeller and Co., had his luggage on board yesterday morning, when he received a telegram asking him to wait the arrival of a relative (Mr S. Selank, of the firm of P. Falk and Co., Adelaide), who was coming up from Christchurch especially to see him. He consequently came ashore again. Mr R. H. Vallance, the sportsman, was going down to bring up Sou-wester to the Auckland meeting; and Instructor Ward, Sergeant Grant, and Gunner McQuartier, of the Torpedo Corps, were on their way to Dunedin to bring up the torpedo-boat lying there to Oamaru in order that she might take part in the Easter manoeuvres. Mr Galbraith, the well-known patent agent, was also a passenger for Lyttelton, intending to return on Wednesday.
PERSONS ON BOARD
The following is given me as a correct list of persons on board: — Master, Captain G. Thompson; R. Monkman, first officer; J. Powell, second officer; S. Dalrymple, chief engineer; T. Stafford, second engineer; T. Spooner, purser; James West, carpenter; F. Hill, lamp-trimmer; J. Jones, R. Williamson, E. McMillen, J. McKay, R. Harrison, J. McPhee, A.B's.; G. McDonough and R. Irvine, firemen; W. Cain, donkey-engine driver; J. Hunter, R. Williams, trimmers; J. Fielder, chief steward; J. Munro, bedroom steward; D. Campbell, pantryman; T. Delany and R. Bathgate, assistant stewards; M. A. Brown, stewardess; G. Gallagher, chief cook; W. Kellin, second cook. The passengers included Mrs G. G. Fitzgerald, wife of the editor of the Timaru Herald; R. H. Vallance, sportsman ;E. Galbraith, patent agent; Hawkins, bootmaker; Instructor Ward, Sergeant Grant, Constable McQuartier; Anderson, G. Smith, and J. Harbord. It is believed, also, that Mr James Ferguson, runholder, of Taranaki, was a passenger, as well as Mr J. Harper, of Christchurch, but this is not definitely ascertained.
The steamer Lyttelton, which came in this afternoon, reports sighting the Taiaroa's lights two miles inshore of her. It was blowing a hard S.E. gale, with thick rain and fog at the time.
INCIDENTS OF THE DISASTER.
Among the incidents connected with the disaster may be mentioned the following, which are vouched for by one of the evening papers: A gentleman on a visit here from Greymouth and residing with some friends at Petone, informs us that he last night dreamt that the Taiaroa was wrecked. He mentioned the fact at breakfast before several people this morning, and stated that he had seen the vessel lying on her beam ends. Mr James Smith, draper, of Te Aro House, and Captain Anderson of the Armed Constabulary, had intended leaving by the Taiaroa, but at the last moment changed their minds. A well-known commercial traveller yesterday, morning tossed up a coin to decide whether he should go or not. Fortunately fate decided against his departure by the ill-fated ship. Another incident was the following: — On her departure from here yesterday the Taiaroa had moved away from the wharf about 20 yards distant, when an intending passenger put in a late appearance, and in a most excited way hailed the steamer. The captain very courteously gave orders to stop the vessel and sheer alongside again, but in the stiff north gale then blowing this proved a most difficult task, and nearly half an hour was taken up in backing and going ahead before the end in view was accomplished, and the passenger was taken aboard, thus going to his death. Mr Levy, traveller for Rothschild, Jacobs, and Co., wholesale jewellers, Dunedin, had considerable difficulty in making up his mind whether to go down by the Taiaroa yesterday or Te Anau to-day. At length he decided not to sail yesterday, several friends having strongly urged him to postpone his departure. The s.s. Penguin left Queen's Wharf at 11.30 this morning for the scene of the wreck, having on board Captain Bendall, marine surveyor for the Underwriters' Association, and Captain Williams, of the Union Company.
At present only 13 are known to be saved, and it is doubtful whether it will ever be known exactly who have perished, owing to the uncertainty as to who were actually on board. If I obtain any later information before the office closes I will telegraph it.
A SHORE ACCOUNT.
(Per United Press Association.)
Wellington, April 12.
The following is the statement by Mr M. W. Trolove, of Kekerangu Station: — "On the first news that there was a steamer ashore I and some of my men immediately proceeded down, and found the Taiaroa on the beach. Two of the survivors came up to the station about 6 o'clock this morning and told us about the wreck. Their names are Sergeant Grant, of the Armed Constabulary, and Mr Gilbert Hutton, a passenger. When we reached the spot we hailed the steamer, but there was no one on board. We then went along the beach and picked up some bodies. These were all found about three miles to the northward. We then turned back. Some of our men are now searching the beach further north."
Mr Dalrymple, who is among those saved in the captain's boat, was acting chief engineer, having taken the place for this trip of the regular engineer, who stayed in Wellington on sick leave.
A telegram from Kaikoura states that Mr Renner, of the Kaikoura Star, met Mr McDonald, late manager of the reserve run about 11 miles from Kaikoura, who had visited the scene of the wreck. Mr McDonald states that the vessel was wrecked between 7 and 8 last night half a mile north of the mouth of the Clarence River. Hutton, who was saved, stated that he struck out for the beach, and was a good deal knocked about. He walked about all night, and reached Woodland Station at 6 this morning. Mr Trolove and men immediately proceeded to the scene, and on the way met Sergeant Grant, A.C. force. Search parties are proceeding north along the beach. The survivors are in such a weak state that they could communicate very little to Mr McDonald. Mr Trolove did everything possible for the sufferers.
A DETAILED ACCOUNT FROM KEKERANGU.
(Per United Press Association.) Kekerangu, April 12. Three survivors from the wreck of the Taiaroa up to the present have reached the shore here — namely, Sergeant Grant (A.C, and torpedo instructor), Mr Hutton (a passenger, for nine years pilot boatman at Lyttelton), and Constable McQuartier (assistant torpedo service). Grant and Hutton swam ashore at different parts of the beach. Grant had a lifebelt, but was just giving up hope when his feet touched the shore. Hutton got in one of the boats which capsized, and then swam parallel with the shore till he reached shallow water. Hutton says he heard one of the other men in the capsized boat cry out, and he told him to strike out boldly for shore, hut nothing more was seen or heard of him. Grant and Hutton both suffered from the effects of their perilous adventure, but are at Mr Trolove's Woodbank Station, receiving every attention and progressing favourably towards recovery. Hutton's watch stopped at two minutes past 12, which shows four hours and a-half between the time the steamer struck and the time the boat capsized and he swam ashore. Grant's watch never stopped, and dry matches were found in his clothes. McQuartier drifted ashore in a boat this morning on the beach, between the River Ure and Flag Point, north of Kekerangu, in company with another man, who was quite dead. The boat turned over and righted itself several times after leaving the wreck, it being a cork lifeboat, but McQuartier was very much exhausted when he reached the shore. He managed to walk nearly up to Kekerangu Station, and was met by the manager's son, who procured a dray and took him to the accommodation house, where he now lies, progressing favourably towards recovery. Search parties from Kekerangu, Flaxbourne, and other stations along the coast have been out all day looking for the survivors.
Up to the present eight bodies have come shore. Three are at Woodbank Station — two being seamen, and one apparently an engineer.
Five lie on the beach north of Kekerangu. One appears to be a passenger. He wears a brown tweed suit, and is about 35 years of age. He wears a moustache, is of middle height and stout build. Three others of the five are seamen, and the fifth is the man found in McQuarlier's boat, and who is uniform and supposed to be the second mate.
The Taiaroa at low water this evening was within about 10yds of the shore, lying steadily, with small seas breaking over. She was leaning seaward. There is 7ft of water by the bows.
Three of the men working at the Clarence bridge swam on board and obtained dry clothes from the forecastle, and rescued a cat and monkey, which were the only living things aboard, and fixed two warps from the mastheads to the beach. There appear to be no holes or damage to the steamer above the water-line, the masts being perfectly firm and stationary.
When the Taiaroa struck last night the captain ordered the crew and passengers into the boats, which were fixed astern by a line. The captain's boat got away to sea, and reached Blenheim. Another boat still hangs to the line, and floats keel upwards. McQuartier's boat came ashore as already described; and the fourth boat, containing the passengers, is supposed to have capsized with all hands, as wreckage of a boat, such as lining have been found along the beach. There is not the slightest probability of any other lives being saved. The Taiaroa lies on a beach composed of boulders and sand, and it is feared she has a hole in her bottom, as Hutton, one of the survivors, maintains the steamer was full of water before he left her to go ashore. The five dead bodies north of Kekerangu will be brought up to Kekerangu Station to-morrow to await an inquest. The bodies will be carefully guarded on the beach to-night. McQuartier states that there were 11 men in his boat when she left the wreck, but nine died of exhaustion before the boat righted itself the last time. The night was bitterly cold, dark, windy, and wet, and nothing but the physical strength of McQuartier, who is a very powerful man, saved his life. A boisterous S.W. gale set in about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon in the Straits, replacing a north-wester. It is supposed Captain Thompson hugged the shore to avoid the wind. McQuartier's statements arc somewhat incoherent at present, owing to the awful night's adventure. Both Hutton and McQuartier say that the captain, after the steamer struck, remarked that he thought he was within five miles of Kaikoura, and steering into Half-moon Bay. As a matter of fact the steamer was heading direct for Clarence Bridge, in the mouth of the river, when she struck. McQuartier considers there were 50 souls on board all told. The body of the passenger washed ashore had a leg bitten off by a shark.
The wreckage which has come ashore at present consists of several lifebuoys and the remains of the capsized boat. The body of the man in McQuartier's boat was much knocked about. None of the eight bodies are actually yet identified;
PRELIMINARY INQUIRY,
(Per United Press Association.)
Blenheim, April 12. The preliminary inquiry into the cause of the Taiaroa disaster was held this evening, before Mr Pasley (collector of customs) and Captain Lambert (nautical assessor).
Captain Thompson stated that the ship left Wellington at 11.30 a.m. on Sunday, the 11th inst. A strong N.W. breeze was blowing; he steered S. by W. The usual course was S. 3/4 W., but on account of the strong N.W. breeze he kept 1/4 point in more than usual till 3.30, when they were abreast of. Cape Campbell, and the course was altered. The wind then fell slightly, and came down from S.E. suddenly. Kept to S. 3/4 W. It was raining heavily and blowing hard, and the sea came up very suddenly. He was on deck till 6.30, and she then, as far as he could see, seemed to be a good distance off the land. The mate was on watch on the bridge. Before going below at 6.30 he told the mate that if he thought the vessel was getting closer in, or the weather came on thick so as to lose sight of land, to let him know. About 7 o'clock the mate came and told him that he could see land on the port bow. He ran up immediately on to the bridge. They were putting the helm hard astarboard when he got there. He stopped here and went full speed astern. She took the ground at the same time. The chief engineer came up and said it was of no use going any further astern, as she was making water. He gave orders then to have the boats out and the passengers put into them. He told the second mate to try and run a line on to the beach. He could not effect a landing at all. He got a line over the stem, towing the boats on to that. The boats were fast to it, except the captain's. The mate got into the captain's boat, and they let her drop astern alongside the other boats. When they got alongside the first lifeboat, he told the mate to go into her and take charge. Then he dropped farther astern, and when they came to the last boat the carpenter missed it, and they drifted away. The second mate was in the last boat, and he came after them to give them a tow back. He towed them for about an hour, but could not make anything of it; and sang out that he would have to let go. He told him to let go, and the boat drifted away. He kept as close into the shore as he could to avoid being blown to sea. There was a heavy sea running. He tried to make Cape Campbell but could not, and steered for the Wairau bar, where they arrived at 2 o'clock on Monday. Everyone in the boats had lifebuoys on. He did not take any soundings, but the usual precautions were taken. There was nothing wrong with the compasses so far as he knew. They were corrected seven or eight months ago. Some magnetic influence, with the strong current setting in, may have caused the accident. The wind, when the Taiaroa struck, appeared to come more from the south, but the sea set in strongly from the S.E. Two lady passengers and the stewardess were in No. 1 lifeboat.
James West, carpenter, deposed that the vessel was steered S. by W. all the way till Cape Campbell was reached, when the wind changed suddenly to S.E., blowing hard with a heavy sea about 5.30. The weather thickened off Waipapa at 6.30; and between 7.10 and 7.15 she struck. The boats were got out in rotation. The captain got into his boat last, and I was told to hold on to the line, but was not able. The Taiaroa was drawing 11ft 7in aft and 9ft 3in forward. The sea was breaking right over the bridge; and there was a heavy sea on deck before we left. She thumped heavily the whole time after she struck.
Samuel Dalrymple, Chief engineer, deposed that everything went well in the engine-room till the vessel struck. He was on watch then. It was 12 minutes past 7 by the engine-room clock when she struck. A minute or two before the vessel struck the telegraph rung "Full speed astern." He obeyed the order promptly, and went full speed astern for about 12 minutes, the ship bumping heavily all the time. When the engines were stopped there was about 4ft of water in the engine-room and stokehole. As soon as the engines were stopped he went on deck. The boats were being cleared away. He again went down to the engine-room. There was then about 5ft or 6ft of water, and the fires were out. She was taking in water in the engine-room and stokehole doors on the weather side of the deck. Not being able to do anything below, the second engineer and himself closed the doors and went on deck to lend a hand to lower the boats. All hands were off the deck at that time except the crew, who got into the captain's boat. The boat we took was on the weather side. We launched her across the deck and lowered her on the lee side. The captain and officers did all that it was possible to do. The beach seemed very stony, and the ship commenced to leak immediately.
John Blackay, A.B., gave the following evidence: I was at the wheel from 2 till 4 o'clock. I steered S. by W. The course was not altered while I was at the wheel. We took in fore and aft sail at 3.30, when the wind chopped round suddenly to S.E. I was relieved at 4 o'clock till 7 o'clock. I came on deck at that time on watch as look-out forward. About 7.15 the vessel struck. I saw nothing of land. The weather was thick and dirty and it was raining heavily. The captain and mate were on the bridge at that time. The course, S. by W., was not altered up to 4 o'clock. The vessel seemed to be the proper distance off land when she passed Cape Campbell. I have steered the same course on the Taiaroa for 14 months.
The inquiry then terminated. The depositions will be forwarded to Wellington.
Captain Thompson states that the Taiaroa passed the Hauroto going North, somewhere near Cape Campbell. She was steering a course inside the Taiaroa.
INTELLIGENCE FROM CHRISTCHURCH.
(Pee United Press Association. )
Christchurch, April 12.
The news of the wreck of the Taiaroa caused great excitement here, as several Christchurch people were amongst the passengers. The flags on the shipping at Lyttelton were hoisted at halfmast. A profound sensation was caused in sporting circles when it became known that Mr R. H. Vallance was a passenger. He had been recalled suddenly to Christchurch on urgent business.
The steamers Wanaka and Wakatu left about 5 p.m. for the scene of the wreck. On the former were Mr Hugh Vallance, brother of Mr R. H. Vallance, and Mr Murray, who had a brother on board the Taiaroa. Captain Johnston, of the Wanaka, is very well acquainted with the locality, having traded for many years along that coast in the Grafton. A telegram from Kekerangu states that one boat was found smashed on the beach near the wreck; another bottom upwards was attached by a line to the stern of the steamer, and a third was washed up four miles north of Kekerangu. As there were only four boats launched, and the captain's has been returned, it is evident all the boats have been accounted for. In the boat found north of Kekerangu was the body of an officer in uniform, rather stout, fair, with moustache, and about 30 years of age. Another body was found at the same place. The coast is being searched for 15 miles each way.
FEELING AT TIMARU.
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
Timaru, April 12,
The news of the wreck of the Taiaroa cast a thorough gloom over Timaru, and for hours the excitement was intense, as it was believed a number of passengers returning from the North were on board. It was at first rumoured that Mrs Inspector Broham, Mr B. E. Hibbard, and Mr Beswick were on the vessel; but telegrams received during the afternoon dispelled the fears. Great sympathy is felt for Mr G. G. Fitzgerald, who, though a recent arrival in Timaru, has earned the respect of all classes of the community.
THE VESSEL.
The Taiaroa was an iron steamer of 433 tons gross and 250 tons net register, fitted with an engine of 500 h.p. indicated. She was built at Glasgow by A. and J. Inglis for Messrs Patrick Henderson and Co. (Albion Shipping Company). Her dimensions were: Length, 189ft; beam, 23ft; and depth of hold, 1ft. She left Glasgow on September 18, 1875; put into Hobart on December 3 to coal. On the evening of November 3, two days after leaving Capetown, Captain Hobert Gilpin, who had been engaged in Sngland to. bring her out, died while dining with his brother officers. The command then devolved on ChieE-officer Joanness Spiegelthar. Early on the morning of December 10 she stranded on the Old Man Rocks, a quarter of a mile to the N.W. of Dog Island, the accident resulting from want of knowledge of this coast on the part of Captain Spiegelthar. With the assistance of the s.s. Express she was towed off the same day without much damage and arrived at Port Chalmers on the 14th, being docked on the 17th. She came out to the order of the Albion Shipping Company. For a time she traded between Port Chalmers and Timaru under the agency of Mr Keith Ramsay and commanded by Captain James Stewart; and early in 1876 was purchased by the Union Steam Ship Company and kept in the same trade under the command of Captain Petersen. Since then she has been mostly engaged in the coastal trade, but made one voyage to Fiji.
The whole of the loss falls upon the Union Company's insurance fund, but the vessel had been written off from time to time, and now stands at a moderate figure. The only cargo the Taiaroa had on board consisted of stray shipments picked up at Wellington and Nelson. -Otago Daily Times, 13/4/1886.
An inquest was commenced at Kekerangu yesterday on the bodies washed ashore from the wreck, of the Taiaroa, and after taking the medical testimony and that of Mr Liggins, the agent of the Union Company at Blenheim, it was adjourned until this morning, when the chief steward is expected to arrive to identify the bodies. So far only nine bodies have been recovered, and of these only four are identified. The statement made yesterday that the body of the fireman Robert Morrison had been identified was incorrect, but from the description forwarded of one of the bodies washed ashore, his wife and parents in Dunedin feel convinced it is of his identity. He was a young man, with brown hair, fair moustache, and slight side whiskers, having a bunion on his left big toe. One of the bodies corresponds with this description in every particular, and also as to height. We understand the Union Company will bring on to Dunedin any of the bodies identified by friends or relatives here. -Otago Daily Times, 15/4/1886.
UNITED ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS.
THE MEMBERS or the Otago and Sister Lodges are respectfully requested to attend the Funeral of our late Brother, Robert Morrison (lost in wreck s.s. Taiaroa), which will leave s.s. Omapero at Dunedin Wharf, Rattray street, on Sunday next, April 18th inst., at 2 30 o'clock p.m., for place of interment, Northern Cemetery. DAVID JONES, Sec.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
THE Friends of Mr James Morrison are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his late son, Robert, which will leave the s.s. Omapero, Rattray street Wharf, for the Northern Cemetery, on Sunday next, the 18th inst., at 3 p.m.
HUGH COURLEY, Undertaker,
Clark and Maclaggan streets. -Evening Star, 16/4/1886.
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