Nobody knows with certainty what happened to the "Ohau." The ship was last seen heading into a violent Cook Strait storm - from other ships sheltering from that storm. Robert Burns, descendant of the Bard, was Chief Engineer.
THE MISSING STEAMER OHAU.
IS THE VESSEL LOST?
THE BRUNNER’S FRUITLESS SEARCH.
MORE PARTICULARS OF THE CREW.
There is no doubt in the minds of most people that the Union Company’s collier Ohau foundered in the furious southerly gale which blew with hurricane force in Cook Strait last Saturday week and some who have friends or relatives on board are regarding them as lost.
The Brunner continued her search for the missing vessel or any wreckage therefrom at daylight on Saturday morning, returning shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday without having discovered a sign of anything that would throw light upon the fate of the Ohau. Captain Milman reports having reached Cape Campbell early on Saturday morning. He made a careful search close into the land along the coast from Cloudy Bay to Long Island, under the lee of which it will be remembered the steamers Brunner, Mawhera and Haupiri sheltered in that wild Saturday. As no trace of wreckage was seen, and in accordance with instructions from Mr W. A. Kennedy, the local manager for the company, the Brunner stood across the Strait to Kapiti, searched all round that island, and, hugging the land, scrutinised the beach in the vicinity, circled Mana Island, and went into Ohau Bay, then on to Cape Torawhiti. In Ohiro Bay, on this side of the Cape, a boat lying on the beach caused some mild excitement, but on investigation it proved to be a fisherman’s boat. The Brunner then returned to port.
The possibility of any wreckage from the Ohau being found at all is considered small, as steamers of the class to which she belongs carry little or no detachable fittings about their decks that are likely to float, beyond her boats, hatches, lifebelts, which are all well secured; and with the prospect of facing a big head sea, extra precautions would be taken to make everything movable or likely to become movable especially secure. True, the Press Association learns that the steamer had thirteen thousand feet of timber as deck cargo, but the message lacked the information that the timber was black birch in a green condition, which would sink like a stone. So that the idea of finding flotsam in the way of timber is exploded. The Marine Department denies the statement that the Ohau was carrying more timber on deck than is permitted under the Act, and the figures wired from headquarters corroborate that statement.
Captain Neville, of the Wakatipu, kept a sharp lookout for wreckage on the trip from Lyttelton on Saturday morning, but saw nothing out of the way, beyond huge masses of floating seaweed, that had been torn up by the fury of the waves in the recent storm.
In our list of the officers on board the Ohau we omitted to mention Mr A. G. Matheson, better known throughout the fleet as “Taff” Matheson, who belonged to Dunedin, and was one of the most popular and obliging pursers in the company’s service. Until recently he carried out the duties of purser on the Herald, but on the Ohau being placed in the former vessel’s running he was transferred. Mr Robert Burns, the chief engineer, is a son of Mr Burns, one of the founders of the Mosgiel Woollen Factory at Dunedin, and is said to be a lineal descendant of the Scottish Bard, Robert Burns. His brother is purser of the Talune. Mr John Young, the second engineer, is very well known in Wellington, having served his apprenticeship at Messrs Cable and Co.'s foundry. At one time he took an active interest in football in this city, and was one of the founders of the Poneke Football Club. He was married some time ago to Miss Nellie Hand, daughter of the late Captain Hand, who during the latter years of his life was lighthouse-keeper at one of the coastal lighthouses. The chief steward, Mr J. Fielder, occupied a similar position on the Union Company’s Taiaroa when that steamer was wrecked off Kekerangu, near the mouth of the Clarence River. We understand that he has a son in the company’s service. Mr Warrender, the second officer, has an aunt residing in Dunedin, but so far as can be ascertained had no other relatives resident in the colony.
Captain Grant, of the Takapuna, with whom Captain Brewer sailed as chief officer for a considerable time, bears testimony to that officer’s skill as a seaman. Captain Grant is of opinion that as soon as the gale subsided the action of the tides off Cape Campbell and the stormy north-westerly winds experienced last week would carry anything in the way of wreckage out to sea in the direction of the Chatham Islands.
THE VESSEL’S CARGO.
PRESS ASSOCIATION. GREYMOUTH, Saturday. The Ohau, in addition to 800 tons of coal under hatch, had thirteen thousand feet of timber on deck. There were no passengers on board. -NZ Times, 22/5/1899.
THE MISSING STEAMER OHAU.
ALL HOPE ABANDONED.
CIRCULAR BY UNION STEAM SHIP COMPANY.
FLAGS TO BE HALF-MASTED ON SUNDAY.
The following is a copy of the circular issued by Mr James Mills, managing director of the Union Steam Ship Company, to all branch managers respecting the disappearance of the steamer Ohau: — I regret very much to advise you that there is every reason to fear that the s.s. Ohau foundered in the severe gale experienced in Cook Strait on Saturday, 13th inst. The Ohau was coal laden from Greymouth to Dunedin, and was passed by the Rosamond close by The Brothers' lighthouse shortly before 1 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. She was seen by the lighthouse-keeper at Cape Campbell at 3 o'clock, and was then about 10 miles north. She was kept in sight until dark, struggling against a furious south-west gale and heavy sea. Her masthead light was sighted at 5.20 p.m., but after that nothing was seen of her, although a look-out was kept for her off and on until 10 o'clock. The gale was an unusually heavy one, and several of our steamers were forced to seek shelter, delaying their arrival at their destinations from two to four days. Until within a few days ago it was confidently hoped the Ohau would turn up also, but when after the weather moderated there was no sign of her, it was feared something serious had happened.
The Brunner was despatched from Wellington to search the coast line, but after a thorough examination no signs of the ship or of wreckage were discovered. We are forced, therefore, to conclude that she foundered, with all hands, during the night of the 13th inst. We find it difficult to account for the loss of the Ohau, as she was a strongly-built vessel and well found in every particular. She was built by Messrs Denny Bros, to a special specification, and recently underwent a thorough overhaul, being fitted with new decks, etc.
No doubt there will be many anxious inquiries made to you regarding those on board. I therefore enclose list of her officers and crew. She carried no passengers.
The loss of the Ohau is very distressing to us, and as many of her officers' and crew belonged to Dunedin, we are brought very closely in touch with the widespread sorrow entailed by her loss. The relatives and friends of those missing have the heartfelt sympathy of the directors and staff in their present bereavement. — Yours, etc., (Signed) James Mills, Managing Director.
Crew list of s.s. Ohau, as per articles: — Richard Brewer, master, married. Murdoch MacPherson, chief officer, married. Robert Hogg Warrender, second officer, single. J. F. Heddell, lamps and A.B., single. A. Taylor, A.B., single. J. Martin, A.B., single. W. Carey, A.B., single. J. Angus, A.B., single. A. Weibe, A.B., single. W. J. Nicholls, deck boy, single. Robert Burns, chief engineer, married, John Young, second engineer, married. D. Grant Stevenson, third engineer, single. J. W. Charnock, donkeyman, married. J. Underwood, fireman, single. W. Denny, fireman, single. J. Ferguson, fireman, single. R. Wilson, fireman, single. Joseph Fielder, chief steward, widower. A. Pender. second steward, single. A. Schofield, cook, single. A. G. Mathieson, purser, single.
The officers were insured for the following amounts: — Richard Brewer, master, £750: Murdoch MacPherson, chief officer, £500; Rcbert Hogg Warrender, second officer, £200; Robert Burns, chief engineer, £500; John Young, second engineer, £400; D. Grant Stevenson, third engineer, £500; A. G. Mathieson, purser, £200. The fact of all the officers being insured shows the wisdom of the company's regulation which requires all their officers to insure their lives for sums varying according to their rank, and the company contributes a portion of the premium. The scale is as follows: — Captains £500, chief engineers £400, chief officers £300, second engineers £200, second officers £200, pursers £200, all junior officers £100. The company has also a liberal provision for which, if any officer desires it, he may insure for 50 per cent, more than the amount his rank calls for. It will be seen that several of the Ohau's officers took advantage of this.
The managing director has instructed that all the company's vessels shall carry their flags half-mast high on Sunday next as a token of respect to the memory of the officers and crew of the Ohau. This will be done at all ports.
WELLINGTON, May 23.
The Post says that just before the Ohau left Greymouth — in fact, the first and second whistles of the Ohau had been sounded — Captain Brewer, Captain Worrall (of the Wainui), and Captain Connor (harbourmaster at Greymouth) were conversing on the upper deck of the Wainui, and Captain Brewer emphatically expressed his determination to steer a southerly course to Dunedin, "for," said he, "I will escape the southerly blow in the other quarter." Captains Worrall and Connor bade good-bye to Captain Brewer, under the impression that the latter would go south about to Dunedin, and at the same time remarked that he (Captain Brewer) would have fine weather for his passage, for the weather there was very calm. Evidently Captain Brewer altered his mind before leaving Greymouth wharf, and took a northerly course. The southerly course from Greymouth to Dunedin shortens the distance between the two ports by some 50 miles, but a drawback to this is the possibility of meeting much rougher weather than would be likely if the northerly course were taken. Moreover, the southerly route is a somewhat lonely one, and unless under exceptional circumstances navigators much prefer the other course. On this occasion Captain Brewer was so positive in his determination to take a southerly course that the reason for the sudden change in his plans is a mystery. The officers of the Rosamond report that they saw the Ohau about 1 p.m. on Saturday, an hour or so before she was sighted from Cape Campbell.
The secretary of the general post office states that the Ohau had a small mail on board from the West Coast for Dunedin, consisting of 119 letters and 51 other articles.
May 26.
The officers of the Westralia report that at 1.30 this morning, when on the voyage from Lyttelton to Wellington, she passed quite close to a black painted boat bottom upwards. The description they give of the boat tallies with those on the Ohau, and bears out the conviction that the steamer went to the bottom with all hands.
The agent of the Union Company at Greymouth mentions in his advice regarding the Ohau that she left Greymouth in splendid trim, 2in light, and that the deck cargo was a very small and compact one. Captain Brewer's last remark was that it would help to keep them dry.
May 28. A quantity of wreckage has been washed ashore near Flat Point, on the East Coast. It is believed to be from the Ohau. A further search is being made, with a view to identifying it with the missing steamer.
GREYMOUTH, May 28. The flags in town were flying half-mast high to-day out of respect for the crew of the Ohau.
With respect to the telegram that the Brunner, while about nine miles from Wellington Heads, "saw some white pine timber, but on wiring to Greymouth it, was found this did not answer to the description of the Ohau's deck cargo," Mr R. Chisholm informs us that his firm (Scoullar and Chisholm) are in receipt of an invoice from Greymouth which shows that, in addition to a large quantity of red pine shipped to them by the Ohau from Greymouth, there were 1500 ft. of half-inch white pine. The invoice was dated May 12, which was subsequent to the departure of the missing steamer. The flags on all the shipping in the harbour, the Harbour Board and shipping offices, and a number of private residences throughout the city were flown at half-mast on Sunday as a mark of sorrow and respect for the officers and crew of the s.s. Ohau, supposed to have foundered in the recent storm. The number of flags flying throughout the city on Sunday showed how widespread is the sympathy for the bereaved, and respect for the lost ones. A similar mark of respect was paid at Port Chalmers.
The service on Sunday morning at the Port Chalmers Presbyterian Church was conducted by the Rev. B. G. Tennent, who made special reference to the foundering of the s.s. Ohau. At the close of the service the organist played the "Dead March" in "Saul," and the congregation remained standing.
In the Tabernacle, Great King street, on Sunday, feeling reference was made by Sir Watt to the missing steamer. He said: "This day the flags in the U.S.S. Co. are flying half-mast, the usual token or sign of mourning. And no doubt the fears expressed through the papers by the general manager are now shared in by all. The possibility of the steamer Ohau putting in an appearance now is very remote, and we can only extend to the bereaved whose loved ones are, in all likelihood, swallowed up by the merciless deep our warm sympathy. May they look to the One Who can alone sustain in such a trying ordeal. May He Who has promised to be the widow's stay and the orphan's shield pour into the troubled spirit the healing balm of His Own consolation and comfort."
Prayer was offered on behalf of the sorrowing ones.
At the Moray place Congregational Church on Sunday, in place of the second hymn, the Rev. W Saunders commented on the sad disaster to the s.s. Ohau, and asked the congregation to stand while the organist (Mr D. Cooke) played the "Dead March" in "Saul" as a mark of respect for the crew who have met such an untimely death. At the morning service in the North-East Valley Baptist Church on Sunday, the "Dead March" in "Saul" was played, and at the evening service Beethoven's "Funeral March,'' in memory of the officers and crew of the Ohau. -Otago Witness, 1/6/1899.
| SS "Ohau," Hocken Library photo. |
WRECK OF THE OHAU
DISCOVERY OF WRECKAGE.
THE LAST HOPE GONE.
The head office in Dunedin, of the Union Steam Ship Company have received the following telegram from Wellington: — "Hatches, oars, and life buoys belonging to the Ohau washed ashore between Castle Point and Cape Turnagain."
This information leaves no doubt as to the fate of the Ohau. She evidently foundered with all hands, probably off the Kaikouras, and the wreckage was carried by the currents to the place where found.
Castlepoint is a post town in the County of Wairarapa North, in the Riding of Castlepoint, 108 miles N.N.E. of Wellington, and 41 miles from the Masterton railway station. Cape Turnagain is about the southernmost point of Hawke's Bay. The distance between the two points is about 40 miles.
As our readers will remember, the Ohau was coal laden from Greymouth to Dunedin, and was passed by the Rosamond close by The Brothers' lighthouse shortly before 1 o'clock on Saturday, 13th May. She was seen by the lighthouse-keeper at Cape Campbell at 3 o'clock, and was then about 10 miles north. She was kept in sight until dark, struggling against a furious south-west gale and heavy sea. Her masthead light was sighted at 5.20 p.m., but after that nothing was seen of her although a look-out was kept for her off and on until 10 o'clock. -Otago Witness, 8/6/1899.
BURNS CLUB
The monthly meeting of the Burns Club was hold in the Choral Hall last evening. The building proved almost too small for comfort, and the audience filled every part. Dr Gordon Macdonald, president, occupied the chair, and in his opening, remarks made feeling reference to the death of Robert Burns, late chief engineer of the Ohau, son of Mr A. J. Burns, of this city, and great grandson of the poet Burns. He also made mention of the death of Miss Mary Cooper, the daughter of one of their members, who for many years was on the committee of the club. The programme was then proceeded with and the stirring Scottish song "The march of the Cameronmen" was given as a part song by the choir, Mrs Monkman gave a delightful rendering of "Caller herrin'," and was deservedly encored. A similar compliment was paid Mr C. J. Morton, who chose as his number "Mary of Argyle." A quartet by Misses Morrison and Weitzel and Messrs Sutherland and Anderson was well received. Miss J. Allen gave an entertaining recitation entitled "Amateur photography," and Misses Neame and A. Biddle were both honoured with recalls for their vocal contributions. Two other part songs — "John Anderson, my Jo" and "Doon the burn, Davie, lad" — were included in the programme, and the latter was especially good. During the evening, Mr G. M. Thomson, P.L.S., gave an interesting address on Burns's relation to the world of' Nature. The lecturer was frequently applauded, and had no difficulty in holding the attention of his audience throughout the course of his remarks. Votes of thanks were passed, on the motion of Mr R. Brown, to the various performers, to the lecturer, and to the chairman. Mr W. R. Don acted as conductor, and Miss B. Wright as accompanist during the evening. -Otago Daily Times, 22/6/1899.
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| Southern Cemetery, Dunedin, DCC photo. |
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