Inquirer and Commercial News (Perth, WA : 1855 - 1901), Wednesday 3 December 1862, page 3


Wreck of the Steamer Waldensian.

In the South African Advertiser & Mail of Oct. 18th is the following account of the wreck of the steamer Waldensian off Struys Point :— Several of the passengers have given us narratives of the shipwreck. The follow ing is from Dr. Dyer, the Vaccine Surgeon of this city, who was a passenger from Algoa Bay in the Waldensian. He says they left Algoa Bay at midnight on Thursday, and put into St. Francis Bay on Friday, and Plattenberg's Bay on Sunday ; they then continued their voyage uutil near Struys Point, when about ten

o'clock nearly ail the passengers had retired to rest : — "With others of the passengers, in the ill- feted Waldensian, I was steeping, as I had been all the voyage, with my clothes on, in the hold, on Mon day night, when I was startled by a sudden and violent shock, which was succeeded by a grinding, crashing noise. Immediately, I heard the vessel had struck I went out deck, and then found she was fast on a reef — with breakers close to us — and land scarcely diseernable in the dis-tance. My first thought was the safety of the ladies. A hasty survey of all around showed that there was little pros pect of the veticel getting off the rocks, and

that our safety depended upon the boats which Captain Joss with most admirable coolness, was getting ready for use. I got my wife and the lady who was in her cabin remove to the poop where I had collected blankets and wrappers to keep them warm. The vessel was all the time rolling and grinding her bottom out on the reef, and the sea occasionally striking her under the counter ; and on looking into the engine-room I saw it full of water. One of the boats was got ready, and Captain Joss gave orders that if should go round by the end of the reef, as from what he knew of the locality, there would probably be a safe lauding- place found there. This was between eleven and twelve o'clock ; and much to our satisfaction, the moon rose and threw its light around us ; rockets and blue-lights were also burnt ; and, as the excitement of the first alarm had subsided, the passengers were quietly and orderly await ing the result of the examination of the shore. When the boat returned, reporting that a safe landing-place was near, arrange ments were made for the boats coming alongside the ladder to take the passengers on shore. Captain Joss took. his station in the gangway, and commanded the debarkation as coolly and carefully as if be were landing his passengers in Table Bay. The ladies and children were first passed on, and. every man gave way to them as they were put into the boats. Mr. Stuart, of the Christy's Minetrels, stood on the bridge with a life-buoy, so as to render

help in the event oi any person falling in the- water, and his compauion Mr. Joe Brown, stood by, prepared to knock down the first man who attempted to rush to the boats ; but there was no necessity even for that precaution, as excellent order and regularity prevailed, although many knew not but that the vessel would break up every minute. The calm and patient bearing of the ladies at this time, and during the subseqnent proceedings, was perfectly heroic, and will never be for gotten by those who witnessed it. Two boats, each in charge of the first and second officers, were safely sent on shore, and the earpeuter was ordered to the command of the third boat. I took my place at tbe end of tbe ladder, and was handing the ladies down, when Cap. Joss ordered me to go with them, some one took the precaution to hand me a lantern and gave me a box of matches, which proved of great use to us. By this time the moon was obscured, and a thick driving mist coming up, so that it was

difficult to see any way round us. We were going right on past the place where we ought to land, when we were hailed astern by one of the boats which, had landed before us. It happened to be the one in charge of the second mater and he got the ladies passed into his boat, and so on shore — while he sent the carpenter and the other boat at once back to the vessel. I intended to return with it, but it occured to me that I might be more usefully engaged in lighting a fire on-shore, so that the boats might have some signal of tbe landing-place and how to steer to it, and I told the carpenter to inform Captain Joss accordingly. In landing, everybody had to get into the water, and even the ladies were washed through although they were carried. The moment I got on shore, another boat was landing the old men, and

one of the Royal engineers joined me, and went up to a hill to gather some brushwood wherewith: to light a fire. We soon got a light, and.; managed; to get sufficient firewood to keep up a good, blaze,, the old and venerable clergy assisting us in this with all the activity of youths; and subsequently we got up another fire in a small hollow on the top of the sand hills, where we got most of the ladies as com-fortabty placed as possible. The Engineer who had helped us thus far was well acquainted with the country, as he had been employed 4there on the trigonometrical survey under Captain Bailey, and he had, while on board, most promptly volunteered to go inland and communicate with the nearest inhabitants. Up to this time, we had not met with any of the first officer's boat's passengers, and did not know whether they had been swamped or not. My wife was among the number who had gone in her, and the uncertainty regarding her safety was most painful. After the fires were lighted, we crossed over the sand-hills to see if there was any one on the other beach to the left of us. There we found the carpenter's boat, after having landed another load, partially swamped. Attempts were made- to get the water out, and then launch her, — but she was swept by the sea on a rock, and one of her planks stove in. Mr. Heliet and myself then went further along the sand-hills in search of the first boat, and after a short walk along the ridge saw the party of ladies whom the chief officer had landed on the beach. On reaching them, we found all well, although cold and wet with the drenching they had got in landing. They had no one to look after them, extept an old farmer, who had managed to get a seat in the boat when they left the ship. Among the party, was one poor woman (the wife of a sergeant of the Engineers) with six or eight children. It was impossible to remove her ; but one of the ladies, Mr. Meyer, gallantly offered to remain by her, as well as the farmer, while the rest of the ladies with the

children were being removed by us to the spot where the fires were lighted. We got them safely removed, and then made arrangements for going back for the poor sergeant's wife who was left with Mrs. Meyer. By this time, it was about four or five o'clock in the morning, and as I had been walking about all night, I felt fairly exhausted. We tried to get a party to go and fetch them, and Mr. Reid, and Mr. Stewart, of the Christy Minstrels, and others immediately offered their services, while some again preferred their own ease and the comfort offered by the fire around which they comfortably sat. Mr. Hellet and myself started away again, with the others and on our road we met the carpenter's crew, and arranged with them to bring on an oar and some tackle to carry up the water and juovisioua which had been landed in the first boat.

When we sighted, the place, I was too much fatigued to descend to the beach again, and I laid down and rested while the remainder of the party went on to where the women were. Mrs. Meyer they brought back but the poor sergeant's woman with her baby was obliged to be left there, and all that could be done was to tell her husband and son where she was, so that she might be looked after. When I got back to the fires, we heard a cry that assistance was wanted in the boat, and I went at once to see what was going on. I was told that the chief officer had broken his ribs; but this was not the case, for he was merely bruised by being struck with the boat in the water ; and although, he was suffering severely from the blow, he manfully went on with his duty, landing nearly the last of the passengers from the wreck. This boat was also half filled with water, and in spite of every exertion to get her emptied, she was at last given up as useless, making the second disabled. During this time the second mate's boat came b with another load — and to pre-vent her being injured, several persons went out to meet her, and got the passengers ashore without coming on to tue beach ; and as she cleared off again to the vessel — where there were now only seme eight or ten souls, including Capt. Joss — a feeble cheer was given to encourage the crew in their work. Soon after this, daylight broke, and as some provisions had been, got, we made what arrangements we

refreshments By the time we had finished, some of the neighbouring in habitants, who had been informed of our position, arrived on the spot, and among them Were the Rev. Mr. Gibbs, Mr,. Myburgh, and Mr. Danvers, of Messrs. Barry & Nephews. Captain Joss had, also landed from the wreck, being in the last boat to leave her— and he advised that the ladies should be removed to the fishery, at about half-a-mile off, from whence a boat had gone off to the wreck in the morning and rendered considerable assistance. The ladies and some others were removed accordingly, and some protection from the sun was afforded by blankets and coats being thrown over

the poles of the fish-yards. The passen gers, with few exceptions, lost everything, save what they had on at the time of tHe wreck ; but some few boxes were got on shore by Captain Joss during the forenoon. As the tide was unfavourable, however, the fishermen advised that it was dangerous to go off for more, and that they would

endeavour to save as much as- possible afterwards. About ten or eleven o'clock we noticed the fall of the mainmast on the wreck, and tbe vessel soon after parted about the main hatchway — her 6tern-remaining stationary and the fore part heeling over on its port side, the water washing completely through her. By mid day some carts from Bredasdorp arrived, by which we obtained conveyance to the hotel at that place." One of the clergymen of the Dutch Reformed Church, who wae a passenger gives the following graphic account of the occurence ; — ' The whole of Sunday, we lay in Plettenberg's Bay, seeking sbelter from the storm. On Mon day we moved pleasantly along uuder steam and sail, with a smooth sea and fair wind. Our spirits were high hi the prospect of a speedy end. of a lengthened voyage, and in the hope of meeting dear friends in Cape Town on the morrow. Between ten and eleven most of us were in our berths. I was startled out of my first slumber by the shock of the vessel striking. In three minutes we were all on deck. I had read many, tales of shipwreck, but here was a scene which, for the striking lessons it was fitted to teach, I hope,never to forget. The decks were crowded with men and women 'half-dressed, startled and, bewildered ;. breakers appeared on three sides of us,, and in the mist and darkness all beyond was invisible. Every few minutes a wave lifted the vessel and brought it down again with, violence, making it quiver and swing as it it were going to pieces. At this stage I believe few among us entertained any hope of rescue from immediate death. There was no tumult, no hurry. A general silence prevailed. Men spoke in whispers, an anxious inquiry for some dear one, a sentence of comfort or expres sion of pious trust. Here and there, from amid a little group, could be beard the voice of prayer. But little was spoken. The boats were lowered and an officer despatched to look for a landing place. At length, he returned with a favourable report, and without delay they com menced embarking the passengers. First of all the ladies formed two boat-loads. The elderly gentlemen entered the third ; the first who went in being the venerable minister of Uitenhage. Then followed the married men and relatives of theladies in the boats, and all the rest m turn. Four beats were despatched, and in painful anxiety we waited, all uncertain of the fate of our friends who had disappeared amid the darkness and the breakers. At last ore- of the boats returned, with the tidings that a safe landing had been made ; and, by and bye, first a small light, and by degrees a bright blaze appeared, as if on a height beyond the breakers. It was a cheering sight, and brought to many a heart the first hope of rescue. Boat now followed boat, each in. turn vanishing in the darkness a few yards from the vessel. To us who remained, it was weary waiting. The sea rose inch by inch around the stranded ship, and the waters soon dashed over the deck, driving us to cling to anything which would preserve us from being washed off. The wreck shook and staggered with ever-increasing violence, all plainly indicating- that it could not long, hold together. The suspense became agonizing, for it was obvious that unless soon relieved an hour or two must seal our fate. At length, with the tenth boat-load, the last passenger left the ship, and other two brought off the remainder of the crew and the mails. As I gained the land the dawning light allowed me to descry the vessel behind us, her mainmast already broken. Two hours after she broke into halves, and a little later these halves fell together, making the at tempt of further visit to her impossible. Thus "there was no loss of any man's life but of the ship.' The feeling of intense gratitude to a merciful God was strong in very many hearts. Our rescue was due to nothing else than His ruling band. I cannot, however, help expressing zny strong admiration of the conduct, coolness, and excellent management of Captain Joss, and of the behaviour of all his officers. With some experience of voyaging, no captain ever inspired me with so much esteem and regard ; and in spite of this deplorable misfortune, I could sail under his care with undiminished confidence. After the vessel struck, it was mainly owing to his wisdom, calmness, and excellent management, under God, that a single lite was saved. Nor can I omit acknowledging the prompt and hearty hospitality which very many of us received from the farmers in the vicinity of Struys Bay after our landing from the wreck."

A medical gentlemen at Romsey, in Hampshire, warns the public not to eat the Canadian partridges which will be imported in the coming winter, as they were last year. Two ladies whom he attended had a narrow escape of their lives from having dined upon a slice of this bird, which sometimes feeds on the berries of a poisonous shrub. The Vegetarians recently held their annual triumphal bauquet at the Crystal palace. Some 200 members of the society sat down to a gorgeous feast, consisting of French rolls, coffee, and lettuces, with filtered water ad libilumi which having been dispatched, post-prandialeloquence

was allowed to take its uninterrupted course. The president, a worthy alderman of the town of Salford, created immense en thusiasm by declaring that he had lived for more than half a century chiefly on grass, like Nebuchadnezzar, without being Afflicted with lycanthropy. The fury of delight which this announcement produced iad scarcely subsided when Dr. Trail, of New York, arose, and, hand on heart, stated that it would be unbounded happi-ness to his soul to live on the refuse of Covent Garden for ever and ever. Thereupon, the alderman of the town of Salford hid his head in utter mortifica-tion. An altnarmed correspondent of our daily contemporaries recently wrote that "yesterday morning, at Christ Church,

Forest Hill, the communion service was read and the sermon preached by a young man wearing a heavy black beard and moustache. His hair parted down the centre, a la Dundreary, and a modern turn down collar and neat little white cravat graced his neck." At Ewell Church, a few Sundays back, the clergyman, after the prayers had been read, addressed his congregation as follows: — "Dearly beloved brethren, I find I have unfortunately omitted to bring with me the sermon applicable to this text, and have only the one I delivered this morn ing ; but, as I perceive a great many of the present congregation were not present this morning, I will repeat the discourse, and trust you will be edified therewith."

A New Cube for Small-Pox. — A most interesting report has been published on a new mode of treating smallpox by Dr. Bennie, of the 31st Foot, serving in China. It occupies nearly four columns of the Daily News, and promises to create a revolution as great as that of Jenner's day. Dr. Bennie's theory is that smallpox is generated like typhus fever from neglect of sanitary measures, and that it owes its immediate existence to a morbid con dition of the blood, which produces an eruption. This eruption, when it falls upon the lungs, receives, according1 to its duration, the name of pneumonia or con sumption ; if on the intestines, it is known as dysentery ; if on the liver, abscess. Dr. Kennie's treatment consists in the use of an ointment of tartar emetic, or croton oil, or the two combined, the effect of which is of a galvanic or electric character, and produces the the eruption in a healthy and mild form. He further states his belief that further research may lead to the use of electricity direct. The report, which contains the treatment of several cases, has been forwarded from China to the Commander-in-Chief by General Staveley.