Chapter IV: Part 4

'Examined by Mr. John W. Mellor, solicitor, of Oldham (who asked the
Coroner to pardon him if he exhibited any excitement, as he had lost
a brother and cousin).--The testimonial was presented to Captain
Taylor either on Saturday or Monday, I cannot say which. It was in
the evening. After leaving Cork we took riggers on board from a
steam tug; I do not know how many. We had had no weather so rough
during the voyage as we had off this coast at the time of the wreck,
or on the night of Tuesday, the 25th ult. I remember a storm off the
River Plate. It was not so bad there as here during the wreck. Up to
the time the ship had her anchors let go the weather was not so bad
as it became afterwards. I think the storm off the River Plate was
as bad as that which we had here previous to the anchors being let
go. I do not know where the riggers were shipped; I only know from
hearsay. I saw a vessel leaving the side of ours. I do not know how
long the vessel lay off Queenstown; I think about two hours. I had
no means of knowing accurately. I really cannot tell the hour of the
last time I was on deck before the vessel struck. I was on deck once
after dark and before she struck. I cannot tell the time, for, not
expecting any accident, I took no particular notice. I do not know
what part of the coast the ship was at; not being a nautical man I
did not pay much attention to that. I did not, to my knowledge, see
the captain on deck at that time. I was on deck several times after
half-past three in the afternoon, but I did not speak to the captain
after that hour. I saw him about three times. This was in the
saloon. He was in the saloon at the time word was sent him that she
had parted her anchor. I know nothing whatever about the management
of a ship.

'To the Coroner.--No one, in my hearing, asked the captain to turn
to Holyhead or any other harbour, saying it would be dangerous to
proceed.

'To Mr. Mellor.--It was when the first anchor parted the captain was
in the saloon. He had only shortly come down. The reason the captain
did not dine with us that day was that he had been up for three or
four nights, and was resting. The captain did not always dine with
us.

'The Coroner.--I cannot think that is material.

'Mr. Mellor.--It may become so. The witness now says the captain had
been up for two or three nights before, and before he said
everything had gone right up to the accident. If everything had gone
right, why was the captain up for two or three nights? (Laughter.)
Gentlemen, this may be a laughing matter for you; it is none for me.

'The Coroner.--The matter is not a laughing one for any one.

'To Mr. Bright.--The captain might have been on deck without my
seeing him. He left the saloon as soon as it was announced that the
anchor had parted.

'The Coroner.--I think it would be very convenient if the friends
and relatives of parties combined and employed one solicitor to put
all their questions.

'A Relative.--There is no combination amongst us.

'The Coroner.--I am only suggesting that there might be, so far as
regards the employment of a solicitor, for my convenience and that
of the public.

'Mr. Mellor.--I should be happy, not as a matter of business, but as
one of friendship, to put any question for a relative of any one who
has been lost (applause).

'Mr. Russell, one of the passengers, asked permission to make a
statement in reference to what had been said about a difference
between the captain and the second-class passengers.

'Mr. Martin, one of the owners of the vessel, said that any
statement made by a passenger ought to be on oath.

'The Coroner.--It is better for Mr. Russell to reserve any
observations he may have to make.

'Mr. Bright observed that the tonnage of the "Royal Charter" was
2719 tons register, and her horse-power 200.

'Mr. Thomas Carew Taylor said--I concur in the evidence given by Mr.
Morse up to the time of our arriving off Cork. Some of the
passengers were there sent ashore in a pilot-boat. While we were at
dessert on Tuesday one of the stewards came and asked me if I would
like to see the "Great Eastern." This was about five o'clock, I
think. It was then blowing very strong, almost a gale, and it was
foggy weather. I do not recollect having seen Captain Taylor on deck
the whole of that day. I might have seen him. I saw him after I
jumped overboard, when the accident occurred. I saw him in the
saloon after the vessel struck last. I saw him on deck when I jumped
over. I saw him before daylight come into the saloon, and assure the
ladies that they would be all on shore in ten minutes. I cannot tell
how long this was before the vessel divided, because I was greatly
frightened. Captain Withers joined him in what he said, and added,
"Ladies, you will all be able to walk on shore." Captain Taylor said
that we were firmly embedded in the sands. I was deputed by some
ladies to see some of the officers and get authentic information.
The two captains seemed so cheerful that when I saw them I felt sure
we should be saved. Captain Taylor made use of the expression, "We
shall be left high and dry." I felt so sure that all was safe that I
went to bed at eleven, and lay there till I heard Captain Withers
say to a lady, "I shall take your child." The port anchor was out
when I went to bed. He said, "Come directly; I shall take your
child." There was some answer to this, and Captain Withers said,
"No, directly. There is no time to be lost." His voice had awakened
me, and I jumped out of bed. I heard it was half-past two o'clock.
Then I opened my door and looked up and down the saloon. I saw no
one; but I am sure it was to Mrs. Woodroff he spoke. I then felt the
ship as if rubbing along the ground, and then there were three or
four violent concussions. I immediately put on my greatcoat,
trousers, and slippers, and ran up into the upper saloon. I found
ladies and gentlemen in the greatest state of consternation. Mr.
Hodge, the clergyman, was there, and they all prayed together. I
went up to look for my nurse and child. The lobby of the saloon was
so crammed that there was no chance of my being able to find my
child there. I eventually found them. The bumping of the vessel
continued and increased in rapidity and violence, and water began to
come in in all directions, so that I was perfectly wet through for
hours before I left the ship. I do not know what hour it was when I
jumped overboard; but the man who saved me told me it was half-past
seven. I was on deck when the vessel split. I was knocked down by
the waves, and I saw Captain Taylor lying on the deck, where he had
been knocked down by a wave. He had a rope round his waist and a log
tied to the end of it. I said, "Oh, Captain Taylor, what a fearful
scene this is!" He did not reply. Another wave came in on me. I
flung off my greatcoat and jumped overboard. I got hold of a log of
wood, on which there was a mainyard. I then got on the mainyard. I
was washed off it twice. I was washed to the rock, and grasped the
weed. I was twice washed away with weed in my hands. I was carried
in a third time, and two or three men caught me by the point of the
fingers, and prevented me from being carried out again. A man, named
Robert Lewis, had me carried to his house, where I was treated with
the greatest kindness by Lewis and his wife. My little daughter and
also her nurse were lost. Captain Taylor was perfectly sober when I
saw him, before I jumped overboard--as sober as a child three months
old. I never saw him intoxicated, or anything approaching to it. He
was rather averse to taking anything. I have frequently asked him to
take a glass, and he declined on the ground that he had already had
some. If I had thought he was intoxicated I should not have gone to
bed and left my valuables away from me, and I have left all except
ten sovereigns and my gold watch. I never heard any one suggest that
he was on any occasion intoxicated, till I heard a man do so after
this accident.

'To Mr. Bright.--Captain Taylor had been knocked down by a wave when
I saw him lying on the deck.

'To Mr. Mellor.--I heard Captain Withers say once or twice during
the voyage that there was some difficulty in steering the ship. I do
not know whether Captain Taylor was present.

'The Coroner did not think this was evidence.' [The Coroner seems
about equal in sagacity to his class.]

'Mr. Mellor.--I think it is, sir, and I hope the press will think
so.

'The Coroner.--Unfortunately the press are not the jury here, and I
think it is rather early for speeches.

'Mr. Mellor.--Oh, sir, I am not going to make any speeches.

'Examination by Mr. Mellor continued.--When Captain Taylor said all
was right, Mrs. Fenwick sent for her children's shoes and
stockings, and put them on, that they might walk ashore. I felt in
a state of uncertainty. I did not know what to think. Sometimes I
thought one thing and sometimes another.

'Mr. F. Thomas Gundy examined.--His evidence was corroborative of
the foregoing.

'The inquiry was then adjourned till next morning.

'The inquest was resumed on Thursday morning at eleven o'clock. As
on the previous day, the owners of the "Royal Charter," Messrs.
Gibb, Brights, and Martin, were present. Mr. Mellor, solicitor, of
Oldham, again attended. The room in which the inquest was held was
very much crowded.

'The Coroner observed that he was not a nautical man himself, and
asked Mr. Bright whether he had any gentleman present who could at a
future stage of the inquiry give a professional opinion on matters
connected with the management of the ship?

'Mr. Bright.--I have, sir.

'The Coroner said that, though the county paid for a large police
force, he had, on the day before, been left without the assistance
of even a single constable to see that the jury remained in their
places and that order was preserved.

'A constable who was present promised [!] to remain during the day.

'Mr. Samuel Edward Gapper, examined by the Coroner.--I was a
second-class passenger on board the "Royal Charter." I have been
working at threshing machines in New Zealand. The "Royal Charter"
reached Queenstown about half-past one on Monday, the 24th October.
Either eleven or thirteen passengers were sent on shore there. The
vessel arrived off Holyhead about half-past four on Tuesday
afternoon; it was hazy weather, and blowing fresh, when we arrived
off Holyhead. There was a tug called the "United Kingdom" came up
before we reached Holyhead, and put some men on board. I do not
recollect seeing Captain Taylor on deck on Monday. I saw him many
times on deck on Tuesday. It came on to blow very hard after we
passed Holyhead. The wind was on our port bow. The first signal of
distress or for pilots that I remember to have seen exhibited was
put out about eight o'clock on Tuesday evening. I do not know the
distinction between signals of distress and those for pilots. There
were rockets and blue lights, and occasional guns were fired. The
anchors were first let go about eleven o'clock; we had then passed
Point Lynas. Previously to the anchors being let go, or at any
time, I did not hear any one remonstrate with the captain about the
course of the vessel or any one say she ought to be turned back. I
should say she struck the rocks about half-past two in the morning,
but I cannot remember to within a quarter of an hour. She parted her
first anchor at about two o'clock. It would be impossible for me to
say how far we were from shore when the first anchor was let go. One
could not see from the poop to the other end of the ship. She first
struck on the sands, and not on the rocks. It must have been six
o'clock when she struck on the rocks. She was about three-quarters
of an hour on the rocks before she went to pieces. The hawser was
sent ashore as soon as it was light. I cannot say how it was sent
ashore. I saw the captain on deck during the three-quarters of an
hour that the ship was on the rocks. I was up and down the deck at
least twenty times during the night, and saw the captain several
times on the deck. In the intervals between the signals he was
walking on the quarter-deck, with a telescope in his hand. The gun
at last filled with water. The signals were continued up to the time
the anchors were let go. I did not hear the captain speak while he
was walking up and down. He appeared to be watching. He appeared to
me to be perfectly sober, for though the ship was pitching heavily
he did not stagger. At half-past four in the morning I heard him
speak to the ladies in the saloon. He said, "Ladies, we are on
shore, but I think we are on a sandy beach; with the help of God we
shall all get on land when daylight appears;" or words to that
effect.

'Examined by Mr. Bright.--We could see the "Great Eastern," but only
very dimly, when we were off Holyhead. I cannot answer as to whether
the wind was blowing a hurricane after we passed Point Lynas; but it
was blowing tremendously. The wind shifted about ten o'clock. There
was a captain on board named Adams. I was down stairs with him
examining a chart of the coast about ten o'clock at night. He said
he should not be surprised if we were on shore before morning, and,
describing the operation of swimming with his hands, he said he
thought we could not get off, and would have to do that. The vessel
was then to the eastward of Point Lynas Light. I never saw Captain
Taylor the worse for liquor on board.

'Mr. Pitcher (a gentleman who has lost several relatives by the
wreck).--Was there any request made of Captain Taylor on Tuesday to
go near Holyhead, for that was out of his course?

'Witness.--Yes; I heard persons in the second cabin say, they wished
he would go close to Holyhead, so that we might see the "Great
Eastern," the men who came on board having told us that she lay
there. The wind was blowing to the shore. I heard no orders given to
put the ship out to sea.

'The Coroner.--Did you hear any one ask Captain Taylor to go near
Holyhead?

'Witness.--I heard that that wish was expressed to him.

'Mr. Mellor.--What was the answer of Captain Taylor?

'The Coroner.--I think we are going too far.

'Mr. Mellor.--If this was an inquiry against Captain Taylor, it
would not be evidence, but as it is an inquiry into the cause of the
death of other people, the answer ought to be taken even on hearsay
for what it is worth.

'The Coroner.--What was the effect of the answer carried back?

'Witness.--That the captain said, we might sight the "Great
Eastern," but he must not stand away for it, as he wanted to get
home.

'By Mr. Mellor.--I knew the time I have mentioned principally by the
changes of the ship's watch. I cannot say there were no signals
before eight o'clock. Those that I saw at that hour were the first I
knew of. We had examined the chart three or four times with Captain
Adams previously to the time I have mentioned. Point Lynas Light
bore on the starboard quarter at ten o'clock. The chart was similar
to the one you now show me, and we were in hopes when the anchors
were snapped off. I do not know the exact hour when Captain Adams
said he should not be surprised if we were on the shore before
morning. It was after the anchors were let go.

'Examination by Mr. Mellor resumed.--When off Holyhead we saw the
"Great Eastern," but very indistinctly. This was on account of the
distance and of the thickness of the weather. It was not very thick.
I cannot say it was very hazy. It was not dark before we were off
Holyhead. The masts were cut after the anchors were broken from
their moorings. I have no idea how soon after. The mainmast was cut
away before the ship struck on the rock. Captain Withers, Captain
Adams, and Captain Taylor consulted together; I know that because
Mr. Croome, the fourth officer, came to the second cabin and took
Captain Adams from my side to the consultation. Croome told Adams
that Captain Withers was with Captain Taylor, and that they were
waiting for him to consult together as to the best means of saving
the ship. This was before the mainmast was cut away, and after the
anchors had parted. There were two guns on board. Both were used for
signals. The weather gun was full of salt water the last time they
went to charge it. The vessel ceased to use the screw when she was
hard and fast. She was lying for about half an hour near the rocks
before she struck. She was lying on the sand from half-past five
o'clock. No rocket was fired to the shore to carry a rope or
anything else. I never saw any mortar on board for firing shells. It
was so dark from half-past five to six o'clock that we could not
see. I saw no preparations on board between half-past five and six
o'clock for putting the passengers ashore, but I saw some of the
passengers with life-belts on, and others putting them on at that
time. I know of no light being shown from the ship's deck between
half-past five and six o'clock. I don't think I was on deck during
that time. Previously to half-past five I had seen a globe light at
the telegraph which communicated with the engine-room. I remarked it
because I had never seen a light there before. It was a globe light.
Rockets and blue lights were let off at intervals during the whole
night.

'Mr. Mellor said it might be a convenience to the Coroner and the
owners of the ship if he announced that he should confine himself to
endeavouring to ascertain what was the ship's course on Tuesday
night and Wednesday morning previously to the wreck. There was
another matter which he wished to ask, which was whether the "Royal
Charter" had been altered at any time after she was built.

'Mr. Bright.--No, sir, there was no--' [No what?]

'The Coroner.--Do not enter into an argument.

'Mr. Bright.--I am prepared to give evidence as to her course; the
vessel took--

'Mr. Mellor.--I wished to give you notice of what I intend to ask.

'The inquiry was then adjourned.'

At a later period in the day the inquiry was resumed.

'George Suaicar, a Maltese, was examined. On the Scriptures being
tendered to this witness, he asked what the book was, as he was a
Roman Catholic. On it being explained to him that the book was a
copy of the sacred Scripture, he said he felt an oath on it
perfectly binding on his conscience. He was then sworn, and gave
evidence similar to his statement at pp. 20-22.

'William Foster, examined by the Coroner.--I was carpenter on board
the "Royal Charter." Nothing wrong occurred to the ship from the
time she left Melbourne till she reached Queenstown, nor till we
came up to Point Lynas on this coast. The wind was right ahead as we
came from Holyhead, but I do not know in what point. It was blowing
a good stiff breeze after we came off Holyhead. We were obliged to
put out signals off Point Lynas, first for a pilot, and then signals
of distress. She reached Point Lynas in the evening.

'The inquiry was then adjourned till the following day.

'The Coroner and jury assembled at a quarter before ten o'clock the
next (Friday) morning, when

'William Foster, the carpenter of the "Royal Charter," proceeded
with his evidence.

'To the Coroner.--The "Royal Charter" was from half an hour to an
hour on the rocks before she parted. She broke right off at the
main-hatch, across the main-hatch. Previous to this a line had been
sent ashore. There were villagers on the rocks when the hawser was
cast ashore. Sixteen were sent ashore by the hawser. Those sixteen
were a portion of the crew. More could have been got across only
that there was a female in the forecastle who hesitated, and
delayed, and dallied for half an hour. There were a great many on
the forecastle at that time. In the end the female refused to go,
and I went across myself, and about three of the crew after me. Some
of the passengers were below in the saloon. A heavy sea broke across
the starboard bow and swept every one from the forecastle--about
sixty or seventy. During the whole time we were trying to wear and
stay the ship, the captain was on board. I saw him frequently, and
he was sober. I have been four or five voyages at sea. Considering
the gale of that night, I do not think the captain could have done
more than he did to save the vessel. I do not think I observed any
change in the wind after we passed Point Lynas. I never mind the
wind or the course of the vessel. The wind freshened and blew
stronger and stronger. Took soundings. The lead was kept going the
whole night, both hand and deep-sea leads. It is my duty to see that
the vessel was making no water. She made no water after she first
grounded.

'To Mr. Mellor.--We could see Point Lynas Light when the anchors
were dropped. I do not know how it bore. I cannot say how soon we
lost sight of it afterwards. I think we were between three and four
miles off shore when the ship dropped anchor. I cannot tell how far
we were from where the ship first grounded when we dropped anchor.

'To Mr. Bright.--I did' [? not] 'hear Suaicar say that the captain
was drunk.

'To the Coroner.--I have no recollection of seeing Mr. Mellor and
Mr. Walsh at the cottage where Suaicar and I lodged yesterday week.
There have been hundreds of people there. I never heard Suaicar tell
Mr. Mellor that he had asked the captain to cut away the masts, and
that the captain had refused. I never said that the captain was
drunk, or anything to corroborate that statement.

'Mr. John Brown Marsh, of Chester, said--I had a conversation with
Suaicar about nine o'clock on the night of Thursday, the day after
the wreck. Foster, the carpenter, was present at the time. After
taking down Suaicar's and Foster's narratives in writing, I asked
Suaicar whether he had anything more to tell me. He said--"Some man
on the beach has been saying the captain was drunk, but he was as
sober all the time as I am now. I should like to meet the man who
says he was drunk." He then added, "I was running about all night
carrying messages from the captain to the officers, and from the
officers to the crew, and I can swear he was not drunk." I took
these words down at the time.

'Mr. Mellor here announced that he had received a letter from home
announcing the death of another relative, and he was sorry to say
that he must now leave Molfra.

'The Coroner said he was sorry for the occurrence, as he should like
Mr. Mellor to hear some remarks which he should feel it his duty to
make to the jury. If the jury were satisfied that the captain was
sober, it would not be necessary to examine the steward on that
point.

'The Jury said they were satisfied that the captain was sober.

'The Coroner then asked, could any of the sailors give evidence as
to the navigation of the vessel?

'Mr. Bright observed that the common sailors did not understand
this.'

THE VERDICT.

'After some further evidence of the same general character, in the
course of which nothing new was elicited, the jury late the same
evening found a verdict to the effect that the wreck of the "Royal
Charter" was caused by purely accidental circumstances; that Captain
Taylor was perfectly sober; and that he did all in his power to save
the vessel and the lives of the passengers.'

Who doubted that Captain Taylor did all he could to save the vessel after she struck upon the rocks? That was only one question out of several that should have been considered. The construction of the ship, the 'hugging of the coast,' looking for a pilot in such tempestuous weather, the delay (if any delay there were) in cutting down the masts--these were the lines of inquiry to which the coroner and jury should have directed their special attention, and followed to their just terminations. But the investigation was feebly conducted throughout, and is not likely to rest at its present unsatisfactory point. The Press will not be silent upon the matter. While no one desires a different verdict, the public at large has a right to expect that the evidence upon which any verdict in such a case as this is founded should be of the completest character. Every calamity has its lesson; and if that lesson is not learnt at once, depend upon it the calamity will be repeated until it is. But what lesson is it possible to learn from such an 'investigation' as that which has just concluded at Bangor?[F]

[F] The _Times_ of this day (8th of Nov.) states that a
government inquiry into the causes of the catastrophe is
immediately to take place.

LATEST DETAILS FROM MOLFRA.[G]

[G] There is a want of sequaciousness in the arrangement of
these Addenda which the exigencies of a hurried publication can
alone justify.

The latest particulars (Nov. the 7th) from the scene of the wreck which can be here incorporated are these:--

'The divers found one body yesterday forenoon, and some copper, but
no specie. No bodies have been cast ashore last night or this
morning. Up to the present moment forty-eight bodies have been
recovered, but of these few have been identified. The following is a
correct list of those who have been identified, with such further
particulars respecting them as have, after the best inquiries that
could have been made here, been discovered. A child named Pitcher,
claimed by the uncle, Mr. Pitcher, of Northfleet, Kent. John Emery,
of Liverpool, steward on board the "Royal Charter." [I know poor
Emery so well! He was a good, generous fellow.] John Smith, four
years old, child of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, passengers; there were five
of this family on board. Miss Russell, ten years old, child of Mr.
Russell, the passenger who had the miraculous escape, and whose wife
and two children were drowned. Mrs. Lyon, of Melbourne, identified
by Mr. Gapper, a passenger.' [There is some doubt as to this lady's
identity.] 'Miss Jane Fowler, supposed at one time to be a Mrs.
Woodroff. Richard Read, of Plymouth. Jacob Roberts, fireman. James
Walton, steward, son of Mr. Walton, of the Amphitheatre, Liverpool.
James Edwards, passenger. Henry Aspinall, rigger. Mr. John Grove, on
whose person a sum of 56_l._ 10_s._ was found. Richard Tierncough,
sailmaker. Wilson, boiler-maker. John Rees, of Pistill-Nevin.
Lambert, seaman. Russell, seaman.

'All the above have been interred. In cases where the relatives or
friends do not bury, the bodies are interred in trenches. Parish
coffins are provided for them, and the Rev. Mr. Hughes, of
Llanallgo, and other benevolent individuals, have provided linen and
flannel for several of the poor shipwrecked passengers. His lordship
the Bishop of Bangor, Mrs. Williams, lady of the Rev. Mr. Williams,
Llandygnan, Captain Moore, 4th Dragoons, and Mr. Marshall are
amongst those who have contributed to this charitable object.'

The whole of the details which have crowded the papers for the last eight or ten days are now, in such summary manner as their importance would permit, entirely disposed of. It would be useless to delay this Narrative for any further particulars from Molfra. One knows so well what the nature of those particulars will be--fresh bodies, more tattered rags, more copper bolts and bars twisted like wire, more iron plates and beams gnawed by the sea as dogs gnaw bones, more recognitions by disconsolate friends of those whom, long ere this, they had hoped to welcome at an English fireside!

Let us drop the curtain upon the picture as speedily as possible, and pray Our Father in Heaven to take unto his keeping the bereaved friends of those who have left Life's sea of troubles for the Haven of Eternity.

POSTSCRIPT.

I have been for the last thirty-six hours (the time allowed me) preparing this book. I have had to wade through a mass of most mournful material. The labour has certainly not been a grateful one; but perhaps my friends in the Australian Colonies will rightly appreciate the motives which have induced me to supply them with a reliable history of the Wreck.

F.

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET.

* * * * * *

Transcriber's note:

As much of the book contains material quoted from other sources, inconsistent hyphenation and spelling is preserved as printed.

The Table of Contents has been created by the transcriber for the convenience of the reader.

Punctuation errors have been corrected.

The following changes have been made:

Page 61--moed amended to mode--... in every tolerable mode of
marine architecture, ...

Page 63--short amended to sort--... and for becoming a sort of
"shore" to the pretty young lady ...

Page 66--readeir amended to reader--... as the reader will admit
when he has perused ...

Page 79--unastisfactory amended to unsatisfactory--... is not
likely to rest at its present unsatisfactory point.