The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-02-27 00:00:00

THE WRECK OF THE HAVRE.

Full and additional details have come to hand of the
wreck on the Platte-Boue Rock, near Guernsey, of the
South-Western Company's steamship Havre, on the
morning of Tuesday in last week. Her commander,
Captain Long, and some of the crew have arrived at
Southampton, and have made their depositions before
the Receiver of Wreck at the Custom-house at that port,
from which it appears that the Havre was an iron.
steamer of 200 tons register, schooner-rigged, built at
Blackwell in 1856, and carried a crew of 27 hands, all
told; and when she left Southampton for Guernsey
and Jersey at a quarter-past twelve on Monday night
she had 63 passengers on board. The vessel was draw-
ing about 10ft. aft. and Oft. Bin. forward. From Ortoc
the Havre was steered S.S.W. W. At 8.55 a.m.
Tautenay was sighted about half a mile on the star-
board bow, and Captain Long was at that time on
the bridge. The tide was then about low ebb, the
weather still a little hazy, and the wind light from
S.E. When Tautenay was sighted the Havre was
under full steam, and the helm was put hard a port,
and the captain, not seeing any other marks, ordered
a north-west course. Within two or three minutes
the steamer struck on the Platte-Boue, when the
engines were immediately stopped, the boats or-
dered out, and the passengers and baggage landed
on Tautenay as speedily as practicable, the mails
being sent on to Guernsey by a pilot boat in charge
of the carpenter. At 11.30 a.m. the South-Wes-
tern Company's steamship Honfleur came as close
as she safely could, and the passengers were taken
on board her and conveyed to Guernsey.. The captain,
officers, and crew of the Havre remained by her las
long as was prudent, saving baggage and cargo, and
when they left the vessel's head was to the westward,
with a list to starboard, the fore-part being under
water, and the main cabin three parts full. She soon
afterwards parted, and became a total wreck. Captain
Long attributes the casualty entirely to the absence of
a buoy or beacon on this dangerous rock, which lies
directly in the track of vessels from Southampton to
Guernsey. A narrative of the disaster which appears
in the Guernsey Morning Herald says :
"The shock was most terrific in its effect, and the
passengers were thrown from their berths. Imme-
diately after striking, the Havre sunk to the starboard
side, and remained stationary. It was fortunate that
this was the case, and that those on board let her re-
main so, for, once moved, there is every probability
that she would have sunk almost immediately. The
damage occasioned to the under portion of the steamer
by the stranding was very great, as is evidenced by
the rapid manner in which she filled with water. Land
was within sight, daylight favoured thp-zremoval of
passengers from the vessel, and the perselts in autho-
rity on board the steamer restored confidence by their
prompt and decided action. Nevertheless there was
naturally a deep feeling of consternation, espe-
cially among the lady passengers. Some heart-
rending farewell scenes were witnessed before the
boats left the vessel, for many of the ladies had
male relatives on board, and at first refused to
leave them. One young lady insisted upon remaining
with her father, but he as firmly desired to save her,
and embracing her, and wishing her what was con-
sidered a last farewell, persuaded her to enter the
boat, giving her at the same time his watch and other
things as keepsakes. It was momentarily expected
the steamer would collapse, and many divested them-
selves of overcoats and surperfluous clothing for the
greater freedom of their limbs, should they have to
swim to the adjacent rocks for the saving of their
lives. Happily, this extreme course was not ren-
dered necessary. After a slight delay in starting
the first boat, owing to there being no one to take
command, the boats were rowed to the Grande
Amfroque Rock. Here the continual heaving of
the sea rendered the disembarkation of the ladies
a difficult matter. However, thanks to the good
offices of the seamen in charge of the boat, this was
accomplished without accident. The boats then re-
turned to the Havre, where, in the meanwhile, signal
rockets of distress had been continually fired. The
male passengers embarked in the same manner as the
ladies, and were conveyed with a small quantity of
deck luggage, &c., to the rocks. One of the boats also
contained provisions, which were very acceptable to
the passengers. Here on these rocks the assembled
80 watched and waited with anxiety and great im-
patience for the prospect of assistance from the shore.
The morning was slightly hazy; but Guernsey coilld
be seen, as also the other islands. At the time of the
vessel's stranding there was, it is asserted by all those
passengers on deck, no fog whatever, though a mist ob-
scured obstacles at a greater distance than two or three
miles. After waiting with a deep sense of desolation dur-
ing what seemed to them an almost endless period, though
really for about an hour and a half, the passengers
joyfully beheld a steamer leaving the St. Peter Port
harbour and making in their direction, The Havre
stranded at ten minutes _past nine, and the Honfleur
was despatched to her assistance at about half-past
tell. o'clock. Many passengers lost everything, in-
cluding their money, in the wreck. One sailor, who
had been at sea for some time, and had managed to
save £25, lost his savings and his clothing. The crew
of the Havre have also been great sufferers; and, as a
recognition of their kindness and activity in the trying
time, a subscription was started for them among the
rescued passengers."