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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 13, Issue 6 (September 1, 1938)

Rising Storm

Rising Storm.

Straight away the brigade assembled. In the fiery splendour of the rising sun,
(Rly. Publicity photo.) Christchurch—Invercargill Express passing: through Caroline Bay, Timaru, South Island, New Zealand.

(Rly. Publicity photo.)
Christchurch—Invercargill Express passing: through Caroline Bay, Timaru, South Island, New Zealand.

huge rollers, for several miles out, were breaking foam. That sea was the heaviest known on the Timaru coastline for many a day, but the ships were in no great danger as their anchors were still holding fast. The ship Benvenue had two anchors out and the City of Perth three; but even with these extra holdings, the ships could not continuously withstand the terrific poundings those seas were thundering aboard the vessels—something would have to go. Eight-thirty in the morning—snap—a cable on the Benvenue parted. The sundering of this cable sent the ship listing dangerously to starboard. The tilting of the ship continued at an alarming rate, and it looked terrifyingly evident that the vessel might capsize.

But look! a signal of distress comes from the ship.

Just at that moment, when things were looking blackest, gusts of nor' west wind began to blow from the land. Responding immediately to the wind, the Benvenue swung round and glided out of danger. The Harbourmaster then ran up signals from shore to instruct the ship to trim its cargo of coal and to prepare to put to sea. Answer came from the ship that the rudder was out of order, and repairs would have to be effected before it could depart.

Taking advantage of the breeze from the nor' west, the City of Perth loosened topsails and made ready to put to sea. Seeing what the City of Perth was about to do, the Benvenue decided to follow its example, and ran up the signal “sailing.” To the signal from shore, “Is there anything wrong?”, the City of Perth replied “All right,” and page 30 page 31 the minds of the anxious watchers on shore were set at ease by the movement on both of the ships which indicated they were about to put to sea.

It was now eleven o'clock in the morning and many of the spectators who had been there for some hours were making for home. Suddenly the Benvenue, to the astonishment of all concerned, ran up the signal, “Drifting.”

The Rocket Brigade asked, “Do you want an anchor?”

Quick came the Benvenue's reply, “Yes.”

Drifting.

The Harbourmaster, fearing that no boat could live in those angry waters, was against the launching of the lifeboat. What with bells, warnings and signals that had been going on all the morning, the whole town was by this time in a ferment, and the waterfront was crowded with Timaru's almost entire population.

The light nor' west wind that had sprung up earlier in the morning continued to blow until mid-day, then suddenly it dropped and the air became still and sultry. In spite of the drop in the wind, the ships seemed comparatively safe. At one o'clock, the Benvenue started to drift. At the same time a boat was lowered from the ship, the crew clambered into the boat and made for the City of Perth. Those on shore, not knowing what was happening on the ships, were mystified by these proceedings, and, as a measure of precaution, the rocket brigade hastened to the cliffs at Dashing Rocks, in order to make ready to rescue the crew of the Benvenue with the aid of lifelines.

Very steadily and very quietly the ill-fated ship drifted to the rocks—had it been guided into dock by an expert steersman it could not have sailed a straighter course. Nearer and nearer she drifted to the cliffs—one hundred—seventy—fifty yards from the shore—then she grounded, turned broadside on to the sea and was soon hurtled on to the rocks and left there, high and dry, with all spars standing. And all this time, from the clifftops above, throngs of people looked down in helpless consternation at this noble ship glistening in the brilliant sunshine as she drifted, inch by inch, to her doom.

On Board Ship.

What had been happening on board the ship all this time? The captain of the Benvenue stated that towards one o'clock on Sunday morning, the sea became very heavy and the vessel, which was lying stern to it, began rolling and lurching heavily. Numbers of blind rollers came aboard, breaking-in the stern windows and sweeping the poop. All hands were called. Soon afterwards a heavy sea struck her, and it was thought the ship had struck the ground, but an examination revealed that her rudder had been broken and the remainder of her stern ports staved-in. Continuing their fearsome attack, the seas then swept a boat off the skids. A second anchor was let go, and the ship then fell into a trough of the sea; the cargo of coal in the hold, although held by shifting boards, was thrown over to starboard, resulting in a dangerous list.

Daylight was anxiously awaited, the boats meantime being made ready for lowering. At 9 a.m. the starboard cable parted from the ship. A third anchor was got up and a steel wire hawser bent on. At the same time efforts were made to trim the coals, but no sooner had the crew shovelled one way, than the rolling of the vessel lurched the coals back again. By 12.30 p.m., the third anchor was ready, but the pitching of the vessel made the task of getting it over the side difficult and dangerous. By one o'clock in the afternoon, the second anchor parted, and it was soon seen that the vessel was drifting and gradually heeling over. The crew were ordered to the boats, the ship was abandoned, and the crew made for the City of Perth.

Hardly had the Benvenue struck the rocks than the City of Perth started drifting, at the same time flying her ensign down and the signal for “medical assistance.” Four boats then left the City of Perth and made for the breakwater. It was then learned that the medical assistance was required for the first officer of the City of Perth who had broken a leg while trying to clear the cables, which had become
(Rly. Publicity photo.) A concert in progress in the Sound Shell, at Caroline Bay, Timaru

(Rly. Publicity photo.)
A concert in progress in the Sound Shell, at Caroline Bay, Timaru

entangled. The City of Perth hung to her last anchor for about half-an-hour, then drifted towards the rocks, stern foremost.

In those days there was no harbour in Timaru. Cargo for the ships was taken to the landing service station, loaded on to lighters or open boats and then towed to the awaiting ships that would be standing some distance from the shore. It was from this landing service station that a landing service whaleboat and another boat were launched and set out for the City of Perth. These two boats, which together contained a crew of fifteen men arrived at the derelict vessel in safety.