THE MISSING STEAMER OHAU.
ALL HOPE ABANDONED.
CIRCULAR BY UNION STEAM SHIP COMPANY.
FLAGS TO BE HALF-MASTED ON SUNDAY.
The following is a copy of the circular issued by Mr James Mills, managing director of the Union Steam Ship Company, to all branch managers respecting the disappearance of the steamer Ohau:-
I regret very much to advise you that there is every reason to fear that the s.s. Ohau foundered in the severe gale experienced in Cook Strait on Saturday, 13th inst. The Ohau was coal laden from Greymouth to Dunedin and was passed by the Rosamond close by The Brothers' lighthouse shortly before 1 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. She was seen by the lighthouse-keeper at Cape Campbell at 3 o clock, and was then about 10 miles north. She was kept in sight until dark, struggling against a furious south-west gale and heavy sea. Her masthead light was sighted at 5.20 p.m., but after that nothing was seen of her, although a look-out was kept for her off and on until 10 o'clock.
The gale was an unusually heavy one, and several of our steamers were forced to seek shelter, delaying their arrival at their destinations from two to four days. Until within a few days ago it, was confidently hoped the Ohau would turn-up also, but when after the weather moderated there was no sign of her, it was feared something serious had happened. The Brunner was despatched from Wellington to search the coast line, but after a thorough examination no signs of the ship or of wreckage were discovered. We are forced therefore to conclude that she foundered, with all hands, during the night of the 13th inst.
We find it difficult to account for the loss of the Ohau, as she was a strongly-built vessel and well found in every particular. She was built by Messrs Denny Bros. to a special specification, and recently underwent a thorough overhaul, being fitted with new decks, etc.
No doubt there will be many anxious inquiries made to you regarding those on board. I therefore enclose list of her officers and crew. She carried no passengers.
The loss of the Ohau is very distressing to us and as many of her officers and crew belonged to Dunedin, we are brought very closely in touch with the widespread sorrow entailed by her loss. The relatives and friends of those missing have the heartfelt sympathy of the directors and staff, in their present bereavment.
-Yours, etc.,
(Signed) James Mills,
Managing Director.
Crew, list of s.s. Ohau, as per articles: -
Richard Brewer, master, married.
Murdoch MacPherson, chief officer, married.
Robert Hogg Warrender, second officer single.
J. F. Heddell. lamps and A.B., single.
A. Taylor, A.B., single.
J. Martin. A.B., single.
W. Carey. A.B., single.
J. Angus, A.B., single.
A. Weibe, A.B., single.
W. J. Nichoils, deck boy, single.
Robert Burns, chief engineer, married.
John Young, second engineer, married.
D. Grant Stevenson, third engineer, single.
J.W. Charnock, donkeyman, married.
J. Underwood, fireman, single.
W. Denny, fireman, single.
J. Ferguson, fireman, single.
R. Wilson, fireman, single.
Joseph Fielder, chief steward, widower.
A. Pender, second steward, single.
A. Schofield, cook, single.
A. G. Mathieson, purser, single.
The officers were insured for the following amounts:- Richard Brewer, master, £750; Murdoch MacPherson, chief officer, £500; Robert Hogg J Warrender, second officer, £200; Robert Burns, chief engineer, £500; John Young, second engineer, £400; D Grant Stevenson, third engineer, £500; A. G. Mathieson purser, £200. The fact of all the officers being insured shows the wisdom of the company's regulation which requires all their officers to insure their lives for sums varying according to their rank, and the company contributes a portion of the Premium. The scale is as follows:- Captains £500, chief engineer £400, chief officers £300, second engineers £200, second officers £200, pursers £200, all junior officers £100. The company has also a liberal provision for which, if any officer desires it, he may insure for 50 percent more than the amount his rank calls for. It will be seen that several of the Ohau's officers took advantage of this.
The managing director has instructed that all the company's vessels shall carry their flags half-mast high on Sunday next as a token of respect to the memory of the officers and crew of the Ohau. This will be done at all noyie.
Source: Otago Daily Times, 26 May 1899, Page 5.
WRECK OF THE OHAU.
DISCOVERY OF WRECKAGE.
THE LAST HOPE GONE.
The head office in Dunedin of the Union Steam Ship Company have received the following telegram from Wellington:- "Hatches, oars, and life buoys belonging to the Ohau washed ashore between Castle Point and Cape Turnagain."
This information leaves no doubt as to the fate of the Ohau. She evidently foundered with all hands, probably off the Kaikouras, and the wreckage was carried by the currents to the place where found.
Castlepoint is a post town in the County of Wairarapa North, in the Riding of Castlepoint 108 miles N.N.E. of Wellington, and 41 miles from the Masterton railway station. Cape Turnagain is about the southernmost point of Hawke's Bay. The distance between the two points is about 40 miles.
As our readers will remember, the Ohau was coal laden from Greymouth to Dunedin, and was passed by the Rosamond close by The Brothers' lighthouse shortly before 1 o'clock on Saturday 13th May. She was seen by the lighthouse-keeper at Cape Campbell at 3 o clock, and was then about 10 miles north. She was kept in sight until dark, struggling against a furious south-west gale and heavey sea. Her masthead light was sighted at 5.20 p.m., but after that nothing was seen of her, although a look-out was kept for her off and on until 10 o'clock.
Source: Otago Daily Times, 5 June 1899, Page 5.
Chris Korte's New Zealand Genealogy Project
1854 - 1899 (45 years)
Has no ancestors but 5 descendants in this family tree.
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