The Princeton union., 1894-11-08
WRECK OF wAIRAIPA.
Details OF the Disaster on the Coast
OF New Zealand.

OGIU1l8 Oh the D1S8SIGH5 ON Vno Coast
Of New Zealand.
Auckland, Nov. "Details of the
sinking of the steamer Wairiapa and
the drowning Of 125 people show 1t TO
have been a horrible affair When
the steamer struck the rocks a large
number Of persons, Ly means Of float
ing Wreckage, managed to reach the
edge of the rocks. The main and fore
rigging were then filled with passen-
gers who had gone aloft to escape be-
ing swept into the sea by the huge
waves that were coming over the yes
sell About sixty Of them were stand
ing on the ratlines or crosstrees. 9th
ers were hanging with most tenacious
grip to the davits.
The outlook was very dark when an
engineer and fireman volunteered to
swim ashore with line. They took a
rope and jumped overheard, but had
not gone far when, the seas pounding
them, compelled them to relinquish the
line. They then swan for the rocks,
which they reached in a terribly
bruised condition. A Scotchman then
volunteered to make the attempt to
get the line ashore, but he, too, failed.
Those on the steamer had about given
up hope of escaping from a watery
grave, when one of the stewards said
that he would try to get the line
ashore. Divesting himself of nearly
all his clothing, he boldly sprang into
the fOaming sea and made straight for
the rope that was floating seaward.
Grasping it with one hand, he struck
out strongly landward. Sailors on the
steamer freely played the line out
Again and again it appeared almost
certain he had gone down; but then
his head would appear on the crest of
a wave, which would sweep him near
er and nearer the rocks. His strength
and skill as swimmer stood him
we'll and those on the steamer in good
stead, for he reached the shore, If
shore it could be called, with the line
still in his grasp. Add by those on
the rocks the line was made fast, and
| it was by this means that most of the
survivors were saved. Several Of the
passengers reached the rocks only aft
er terrific struggles. A young girl,
| Jane Williams, says that she was in
her cabin when the steamer struck
She heard the thud, and aroused her
| sister, who was sleeping soundly
Each of the girls seized life belt and
rushed, in their night dresses, to the
| hurricane deck Here, too, was an
awful scene In the intense darkness
could be seen affrighted passengers
struggling together. The vessel listed
and the passengers on the lower side
were swept from the deck. Miss Will
Jams said: Il and my sister climbed
up the steeply inclined deck to the
railing, to which we clung with all
our strength. We were repeatedly
submerged by the waves and were
nearly drowned. The vessel pounded
dreadfu1ly, and I thought that every
moment she was going to break up.
had In the meantime caught hold of q
rope, when a large wave struck me-
The rope snapped and I was thrown
into the sea- I was unable to swim
ard caught hold Of pieces Of wreckage
[ was buffeted by the sea uutil I was
driven. with others clln5ing to the
wrcckage, close to the cliffs. When
day began t., break the spectacle was
appalling I war hanging TO a spar
around which MY hcir was twisted
Near by saw men and women tori
from the wreckagc to which they
were clinging and drowned before I'll;
eyes. Some reached ledge, only tc
be again drawn back into the sea by
a receding: wave. Finally 1 was the
only one alive. thought every min
ute that my time had come. I man
aged to seize two life belts. By this
time it had become Light enough :ol
me to see those being saved from the
wreck by the life line. My sister
while thus attempting to escape, be:
came cntangled in the line and wa:
strangled. After I had been in tht
water twelve hours and was almos
completely exhausted was perceived
by the survivors ashore. One Of the1
swan to my rescue. Qe fastened {
rope to me, and tlleE wo were botl
hauled ashore. I was unable t,
stand"