The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-06-04 00:00:00

THE LOSS OF THE "DOTEREL."

A report on the loss of the Doterel has been furnished to
he Admiralty by Commander Evans, who arrived in London
on Saturday evening. The Commander states that he
anchored at Sandy 'Point in 81 fathoms of water on the
morning of April 26th, when preparations were made for
coaling. Having iiiijshed his breakfast, and given some
orders, Commander Evans, in his report, says :

"1 then went into my after-cabin, and while in my
bath heard a report as if a gun had gone off. I im-
mediately went into the fore-cabin' the starboard
side, and on looking forward saw that the ship's side
was burst open in the starboard gangway, and that the
upper deck in that part was forced up, twisted, and
wrenched about, and the water rushing in, the ship at
once heeling over to starboard.
"A short time after the first explosion (about 20 or
30 seconds, as far as I can judge) there was another
and much more violent explosion, shaking the ship
heavily, and which I am convinced was the explosion
of the fore magazine. Everything now became
darkened with smoke and daris, and I felt that the
ship was sinking rapidly. On turning round I saw
the sentry getting out of my embrasure port. I then
told my steward, who was close to me, to jump out ;
I then got out myself, jumped into the water, and
caught hold of some wreckage. I think I amst have
been sucked down by the ship, as Ido not recollect ,
anything more until I noticed that the ship had disap-
peared, the water covered with wreckage and a few
men clinging to it, and boats coming to our rescue.
"I do not think it could have been more than
three minutes from the first explosion until the ship
sank.
"The explosion was so sudden and destructive that
it was quite impossible to lower any boats, even had
there been any one to do so, the few that escaped
being abaft the mainmast and saved themselves by
jumping overboard. I fancy the greater number must
have been killed by the explosion and falling debris
as I did not hear a cry or groan.
"As regards the first explosion, which occurred in the
starboard gangway, I think it may have been caused
by the bursting of the boiler. As before we could
condense good water, it was necessary to brine the
boiler well on account of the mineral oil used in the
cylinders, the ship having service condensers, and it is
possible that the water may have been allowed to get
too low in the boiler, the crowns of the furnaces ex-
posed, and on cold water being pumped in the boiler
burst.
"If this was not the case I think it possible the
coals in the starboard bunker may have become
heated and generated gas or have caused spontaneous
combustion.
"If neither of these circumstances occurred I am then
at a loss to account for the first explosion' as there are
no combustibles stowed in the starboard gangway,
and there is little or no doubt that the shell-room,
Nordenfelt, Gatling, and gun-cotton magazines did
not explode, all of which were abaft the mainmast.
"As regards the fore-magazine, it had been opened
the previous day shortly before noon' two cases of
charges for the seven-pounder being taken out for
shtrt practice and the magazine closed.
"It was opened again at about 4 p.m. by the
gunner, who returned the two cases and closed the
magazine, and I must say he was a most careful and
trustworthy officer. I do not think it possible that
any fire could have existed below without an imme-
diate alarm being given, as the cooks of the messes
had been on the lower deck for the last twenty
minutes clearing up the deck for inspection, the
arms had been returned, and we were about to go to
divisions.

The fore-magazine is on the port side, forward, a
little abaft the foremast, and the damage done by the
first explosion was in the starboard gangway, a little
before the mainmast. I do not think it possible that
the first explosion could have emanated from the
magazine. I left Lieutenant Stokes at Sandy-point in
charge of the wreck and to bury any bodies that *night
come to the surface, and also to employ a diver who
happened to be there about a wreck, and, if possible,
to obtain a clue to the disaster, and to remain until he
received further instructions.
"Three bodies were recovered and buried on the
day of the disaster—namely, Blackmore, chief boats-
vvain's mate; Nicholls, able seaman; and Hayes,
ordinary seaman. Owing to the suddenness of this
disaster no records of the ship were saved. Every
kindness and attention was shown to us by the
authorities and inhabitants of Sandy-point. I regret
that I am not able to give a more satisfactory and
definite explanation of this disaster, which to me is a
mystery,"

The Correspondent of the Standard, writing Irons Bor-
deaux, says :
- -

• -
Singular as it may seem that out of a large ship's
company so small a number should escape alive after
the explosion, I cannot but think, after hearing the
narratives of the survivors, that it is even more won-
derful that any of those actually on board should have
escaped at all.
One or two were blown over the side into the sea;
one was hurled some twelve feet into the air, and
falling on the deck rolled under the hammock
netting and was so sheltered from the falling frag-
ments. Two of the party were taken down to the
bottom with the sinking ship entangled in ropes and
sails, and their rescue was marvellous indeed.
The boiler explosion theory is that which appears
to be held by all. The spund of the first explosion
came, it is agreed by all who heard it, from the direc-
tion of the starboard boiler, which was at work con-
densing water.
It is singular that none of the survivors appear to
have any'recollection of what occurred to their comrades
after the first explosion. Pengelley and Turnen were
below, and had just received into the armoury the
arms which the men had been cleaning. The crew,
after giving in their arms, were mustering in divi-
sions, but Pengelley and Turnen, although they suc-
ceeded in making their way up from below, appear
to have no distinct idea of what occurred, or of the
fate of their comrades.

The carpenter of the ship, Mr. Baird, says :—" I
was on the quarter-deck, and had just been looking at
two men I had making a ladder there, when I saw
Lieutenants Creagh and Forrest in the starboard
gangway. We had a little laugh together about
the smell of some varnish, and. I went away,
when suddenly I heard a loud explosion, and felt
myself going up inta the air. I must have gone
about ten feet, and fell upon the deck, with my
face scalded, and my hands, legs, and arms hurt. I
rolled under the lee of the dingy, for I saw pieces of
wreck falling all round me, and then I heard another
explosion, and found the ship sinking. I saw that I
must jump into the water, and I did so, diving at the
same time to escape the pieces. I kept below as long
as I could, and then I came up, and was striking out
for the shore, which was only a mile and a half dis-
tant, when I was picked up by the missionaries' boat.
I was much hurt. My left eye was almost burst
by the second explosion, and is still discharging,
while my face and ears, as you see, are still bad. My
clothes were literally cut to pieces. As regards
Lieutenants Creagh and Forrest, I have no doubt
death was instantaneous. My two men whom I had
been superintending saved themselves by jumping as
I did. I saw very little when in the water except
falling pieces. There was no noise of shrieking."
Two sealers sent out assistance immediately the
explosions were heard, but it is notable that not a
single person from the forepart of the vessel or limn
the ward-room escaped. The men must have been
blown to pieces or drowned, but from the state of the
three bodies picked up there is too much reason to fear
that their deaths were painful. The chief and the
second engineers, also below, were both lost.

The survivors of the Doterel, or, rather, ten out of
twehe of them, reached Portsmouth on Monday
evening, by train from Liverpool. The names of the
seamen are: Pengelly, Trout, Ford, Walters, Sum-
mers, Smith, and Turner. The first•named belongs
to Portsmouth, and the meeting between him and his
relations was very affecting.

The survivors of the Dotcrel disaster went on
a fortnight's leave of absence. The men have been
supplied free of expense with new kits and compensa-
tion is to be allowed the officers for their losses in pro-
portion to their rank.

In connection with the loss of the Doterel, The Times
has published the following
Sir,—The two enclosed extracts from letters just received
by us may be of intarest to your readers. The letters are
written by the Rev. Thomas Bridges, our missionary at
Ooshooia, in Terra del Fuego, and by Captain Willis, the
master of the society's mission yawl, both eye-witnesses of
this terrible disaster—Your obedient servant, It. J. SIMPSON,
Clerical Secretary, South American Missionary Society, 11,
Serjeant's-inn, Fleet•street, London, May 30.

"The Allen Gardiner, Sandy Point, April 27, 1881.
"Dear Sir,— . . . . I was towed through the first
narrows by her Majesty's ship Doterel and anchored at
dark on the 2nd. Since then this vesbel foundered by
explosion within 200 yards of the Allen Gardiner.
We were laying alongside of the R. Kellock, loading, when
she anchored near us, intending to coal by lighter. A few
minutes alter the port visit had left her we were astounded
by a loud report. On looking towards her I saw a mass of
densely black smoke and the air filled with debris of all
descriptions, which fell on our deck aud all around us, and
even on shore. One piece of iron, perhaps Nib., fell
through the house-deck of the R. Kellock, and something
else through a lighter being towed for coals. A violent wave
or WO dashed the Allen Gardiner alongsifie the hulk, stbrt-
ing our port rail off four or five stanchions. Orockery and
skylight were broken, and the forecastle poor, which is
movablg, thrown upward to the clack. We were mercifully
preservEd; had the explosion come horizontally, nothing,

humanly speaking, could have saved us or Sandy Point. WU
supposed the boiler burst and tore open the magazine As
gon as the dibris ceased falling. 1 went with two men and a
lifebuoy in a boat towards the Vortex, through nurherons pieces
of wreck, hammocks, &c. At first no human being was to be
seen or heard, but eventually I saw two or three, whom we
rescued--Lieutenant Stokes, Paymaster Colburn, Engineer
Walker, and the carpenter. By this time other boats had
arrived and picked up the captain and some seven men and
three corpses, all that remained of that noble crew. I took
these four on board, as two were somewhat exhausted, and
did all that was necessary for them. I think all but the
lieutenant, who will be left in charge, go to Montevideo
by to-day's mail. How true it is we know not what a day
may bring forth
"J. C. T. WILLIS, Captain, Allen Gardiner
" Mission Vessel.
Captain Poulden, R.N."

"Sandy Point, April 37, 1881.

"My Dear Friend,—On the 25th I breakfasted aboard the
yawl, as I was there occupied seeing to the goods that were
to be received. About nine a.m. Her Majesty's ship Doterel
came in and anchored close by us, intending to take in coal
from the hulk. The usual visit from the shore had been
paid, and after the two boats which had been alongside
had returned to the shore, we being then busy taking in
cargo, there was a terrific noise, and on looking round I
could see nothing but a compact cloud of black smoke, with
pieces of wood and iron, hammocks, and human beings above
and around it.

"The hull immediately sank, and the /brave Doterel was
no more. All hands were aboard, but not a soul from the
shore. Before the swell caused by the submersion reached
us our captain was in his boat with two hands to pick up
any survivors. He was very happy in rescuing four, who
happened to be aU officers. Other boats were quickly there,
and eight others were picked up, and these 12 are all doing
well. Our four were brought aboard, where we did all we
could for them and put two of them to bed. Host grateful
were they for their wonderful deliverance. None of the 12
are seriously hurt; all are doing well. Later three corpses
were picked up, as well as sundry loose limbs. These were
placed in one coffin, and at 4.45 p.m. yesterday, in presence
of a large concourse, I read our burial service over them.
"We, at the time of the accident, being lashed to the
hulk, received from her some damage. The two vessels
began rolling heavily, and our vessel's rail was lifted and
forced inwards, and some of the easing was injured and
some glass in the skylight broken. A barge just ahead of
the hulk which was about to coal the Doterel was shot by a
grenade or ball, and sank immediately, and several cannons
went off. So we were in the midst of danger and were
mercifully delivered. . . ."

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISASTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS.

The Western Morning News has received from a Spanish
correspondent at Patna Arenas, Straits of Magellan, a descrip-
tion of the blowing up of the Doterel, from a shore stand-
point. lie says :

The weather was fine and tolerably calm, and the
Doterel was proudly lying in.- the middle of the bay,
surrounded by small vessels. Her gong sounded ten
o'clock, and the clocks on shore were righted by it;
two minutes afterwards there was a horrible deto-
nation, succeeded by an enormous shaking. It was
like an earthquake, and frightened everybody.
The first impulse was to get into the streets, where
nothing was to be seen but people running in
different directions seeking the cause of the
noise. Then all eyes were directed towards the
water, and oh! horror, on the space which the
Doterel had occupied was an immense body of smoke,
fire, and objects of different forms, the sea was
covered with an infinity of objects. The small vessels
which surrounded the L oterel was agitated and
scattered in all directions, as if by a hurricane.
One of the launches, 300 metres from the catas-
trophe, received a blow from a heavy object which
pierced her through from side to side, and she went
to the bottom. The deck of the Government pon-
toon was covered by falling objects, one of which
was a piece of iron 701bs. in weight. A ship's
yardarm fell alongside the quay, and one ball
pierced right through the roof of a house. The
fact that the Doterel had blown up immediately
became apparent. There was a cry to save the ship-
wrecked. A number of boats were launched by many
a strong arm and rowed towards where the dense smoke
was. In fact, the enthusiasm to render assistance was
so great that some launched their boats without oars in
them. The smoke disappeared and no Doterel was to
be seen. In her place there were nothing but fragments.
However, a boat was seen drawing near to the shore,
and another boat directed its course to the pontoon, and
a third boat also came towards the land. The first boat
contained a man completely naked, with his body
covered with blood from an infinity of wounds, which
fortunately were slight. This man, of slight, gentle-
manly appearance, was the commander. Three boats
and then four boats came to shore, and they were re-
ceived by the people, who were enthusiastic with joy,
and vied one with another to render hell]. Half-an-
hour later all the boats that had put out returned to
the shore, and on the countenances of their conductors
could be read the sadness which oppressed them, in
consequence of the small result of their researches • for
in all they had been only able to rescue twelve fives
and some human fragments, which were buried in our
cemetery. All was now over, nothing remaining but
the sad recollection of what was once the Doterel.