FURTHER PARTICULARS.
TWELVE MEN DROWNED.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES.
Wellington, April 21.
Further particulars of the wreck of the Zuleika show that shortly after 11 o'clock on Friday night land was sighted on the port bow near Palliser Bay. A strong gale was blowing. The captain, seeing the vessel in danger, gave orders to wear the ship, and she was m the act of wearing when she struck. A grating sound was heard as if of scraping the bottom, and in a few minutes she was hard and fast. A tremendous sea was running into the bay, and the waves dashed over the ship, sweeping everything moveable on deck overboard. Officers, men and apprentices (21 in all) recognised that it was a matter of life and death with them, but no panic occurred.
Life belts were served out and an attempt was made to launch the boats, but the effort was not successful, the boats being knocked about so much that in a few minutes they were unfit for use, and all then took to the mizzen rigging. The seas at that time were breaking up as far as the mizzen-top.
After remaining aloft for over an hour, the unfortunate fellows, thinking that the vessel would hold together, came on to the deck again and made their way to the forecastle, and remained in it until half past 2 a.m., protected from the seas and blinding rain which had chilled them to the bones.
About two o'clock the ship began to take a list to starboard, and in half an hour or so she was canted over so much that her rail was under water, allowing the sea to break into the forecastle and almost wash out the shivering crowd which had taken refuge in it.
The whole of the men and boys, with the exception of the Captain, who clambered on to the jibboom, then sought refuge in the fore rigging, and they remained there for about half an hour.
About 3 o'clock the mizzen mast went and there was every appearance of the foremast going. The crew returned on deck and joined Captain Brenner on the jibboom.
Shortly after, the vessel lurched into the sea, and every one was launched into the water. Many of the men were able to swim, and at once struck out for the shore, on which the sea was breaking with a deafening roar. Those unable to swim clung to pieces of wreckage, but were soon washed away and several of them drowned. Others who could swim were stunned by cases which were being tossed about, and were washed ashore dead, battered and bruised almost beyond recognition.
Twelve men were drowned, viz.: — Herbert Graham, first mate, aged 28; George Petitite, steward, 28; Geo. Wilson A.B., 56; Wm. Swanson, A.B., 33; Chas. Lawson, A.B., 26; Blake, A.B., 30; Jones, A.B., 52; Walter Sumners, apprentice, 17; McKay, A.B., 20 (shipped at Port Chalmers, where his parents reside); Gillon, A. B., 54; Williams, cook. 27; and David Sturock, apprentice, 18.
All the bodies with the exception of the three last named were washed ashore.
The only married men drowned were Wilson and Gillon.
Those who escaped are nine in number, namely: — Captain Brenner, William Lane (second mate), Adolphe Haverke (carpenter), William Lisson, Eugene Malven, Peter Anderson, and William Kincen (A.B's.), Archibald Bilbett and Thomas Carson (apprentices).
The wreck occurred in Palliser Bay, about four miles from the lighthouse. There is a large flat for several miles above the beach, running out from which are numerous rocks that are submerged at high tide.
The ship struck stern first, and all that remains above water is a piece of the forecastle, the iron plates of which are twisted out of shape. One of the yards is floating close by.
The beach is strewn for two miles with battered kerosene tins, wooden cases, churns, mangles, axe handles, cases of axes, American lamps, spokes, and a few hundred tins filled with kerosene.
The Tutanekai came back to Wellington this afternoon for the purpose of getting coffins and taking down clergymen.
It brought up the carpenter of the Zulieka, who had several of his ribs broken. This man has been shipwrecked four times.
The men who survived are loud in their praise of the pluck displayed by one of the apprentices, Herbert Bellit (son of Captain Bellitt, of the ship Corelli, trading out of Liverpool), who, after being washed back three times, went to the rescue of one of the sailors and pulled him out of the water. -Marlborough Express, 22/4/1897.
Wreck of the Zulieka.
Arrangements for Burial.
Wellington, April 22.
The Government steamer Tutanekai left for Palliser Bay with coffins in which to place the victims of the Zulieka wreck. The Rev H. E. Tuckey was a passenger, having consented to go and read the funeral service. Mr Morley from the firm of Bristoe, Macneil & Co., and Mr Carter of H.M. Customs also went away in her for the purpose of arranging for the recovery of some of the cargo. Mr Eraia, the Maori who owns the land in the vicinity of the wreck, has given sufficient ground for the burial of the dead, and has undertaken to erect a tombstone if one is sent down. Later. The steamer Tutanekai took coffins to the scene of the the wreck of the Zulieka today, and eight bodies were buried in one grave. The ninth body, that of Alexander McKay, will be forwarded to Port Chalmers. -Colonist 23/4/1897.
Alexander McKay, the Port Chalmers lad who lost his life by the wreck of the Zulieka off storm-swept Cape Palliser, was until immediately before his departure employed in the office of Mr Platts, solicitor, and had passed the junior and senior Civil Service examination, but, being disappointed in his hope of obtaining a Government situation which he thought within his reach, he went to sea in preference to waiting any longer. -Evening Star, 23/4/1897.
The funeral of the late Alexander McKay, who was drowned in the wreck of the Zuleika, took place yesterday afternoon in the Port Chalmers new cemetery. The cortege left his parents’ residence, Carey Bay, at 2 p.m., headed by the boys of the fifth and sixth standards of the District High School. The procession was one of the largest ever seen in Port Chalmers, nearly the whole of the business places being closed. The services at the grave were conducted by the Rev. Mr Tennant. -Evening Star, 28/4/1897.
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