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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 8 (November 1, 1934)

The Dundonald 1906 — An Epic Of The Sea.

page 36

The Dundonald 1906

An Epic Of The Sea.

One Bell.” A quarter to twelve. It was the night of 6th March, 1906. The four-masted barque Dundonald, under Captain Thornburn, was driving through the thickening mist and rain on an unknown course. She had left Sydney on the 17th February with a load of wheat for Falmouth. The Captain, who had not seen the sun for two days, supposed that he was some forty miles to windward of the Auckland Islands. Suddenly, above the roar of the storm, arose the cry “Land on the weather bow, sir!” to be followed by “All hands on deck!” The vessel appeared to be running into a narrow bay, the sides towering sheer, black and forbidding into the enveloping mist. “Weather fore braces!” Right willingly the men hauled the heavy yards round and slowly she came about; but the rudder, striking some submerged rock, was shattered, leaving the vessel unmanageable.

An attempt to clear the boats was then made, but abandoned as hopeless owing to the heavy seas, all hands mustering aft for lifebelts. Sea boots and outer clothing were discarded, and the majority of the crew, excluding the Captain and his sixteen year old son, decided to go and stand on the forecastle head.

The vessel struck stern first and was forced broadside on to the rocks with her masts canting shorewards. With waves breaking over her main deck, the Dundonald slid to her doom in a very few minutes, leaving twenty-eight men fighting for life amid a hell of hissing, churning waters.

It was not till November, 1907—nearly nine months later—when the Hinemoa arrived at the Bluff with the survivors on board, that the outside world learnt the fate of a vessel long since posted “missing.”

From all accounts, this appears to have been one of the most remarkable wrecks in the history of these seas.

Much heroism was displayed by the crew, a mixed crowd of many nationalities, in assisting each other to land, and a great deal of resourcefulness in maintaining life in what proved to be the most miserable climate in the temperate zone.

When the barque went down, the masts remained above water, the survivors clinging to them throughout the terrible night. At daybreak, four of the men who had remained aft found that the jigger top mast was touching the cliff. One of these lost his life in the climb that followed, but the others managed to reach the top and safety. A line was thrown to their companions further out, and sixteen battered and bleeding men finally landed—the Captain and his son being among those missing.

The survivors expected to find a depot close at hand, but to their dismay found themselves on Disappointment—a barren rock about two miles long. Some six miles away lay Auckland Island and a food store. Meanwhile, some of the others climbed back to the masts in the hope of salvage, but several sails were all they were able to secure. Exhausted and spent, they managed to build fires and shelter under the canvas. On the twelfth day of hardship, the first mate died from the effects of injuries and exposure. The same day the remainder set about digging shelters in the ground with their bare hands, roofing them with sticks and turf.

Their chief food consisted of mollyhawk, seal, seaweed and tuberous roots. The seal skins were used for bedding and part of the sails converted into trousers.

As the season advanced, birds became more scarce and the men turned their attention to the construction of a boat, in which to cross the stormy water separating them from Auckland Island.

The determination and ingenuity involved in its construction were remarkable. Rough branches of coastal veronica served as the frame, while some of the canvas was used to cover it. Small bird bones rubbed down to a point became needles, strands unravelled from sail-cloth serving as thread.

Realising that if those selected to make the trip reached the mainland, they must have a means of making a fire or perish from the cold, the last few matches were entrusted to them. At the time of the wreck, about two and a half boxes had been saved, but despite all care, only six matches remained.

The waiting seemed endless, but at last, on the 31st July, a successful crossing was made. But after climbing range after range of hills, covered with almost impenetrable bush, and enveloped in mist and fog, they became discouraged, returning to their companions after nine days' absence.

Hope, however, was not abandoned, and as the old boat was now too leaky and strained, they set out to build another.

On the evening of 24th August, a barque was sighted off the island, and although the signal fire they lighted must have been visible for miles, she page 37 took no notice. To cap all, the new boat, which was not finished till September, was overturned and smashed before it could be used. Undaunted, these plucky seamen built a third, in which four men managed to make the crossing on 7th October. It had been agreed that on landing they would light a fire to acquaint the others of their safe arrival. With this end in view the last two matches were entrusted to them.

Unfortunately, the boat was overturned in the surf when landing, and although for three days they tried to dry the matches in the rays of the wintery sun, any attempt to strike them failed.

On the fourth morning they set out to walk round the northern end of the island. Thei. only food since landing had consisted of raw seal's meat, and they weret all terribly weak. Towards evening, when on the verge of giving up all hope, they came to a sign-post “To the Depot four miles.” Mad with joy, they found fresh energy to cover the remaining distance.

Next morning, rejuvenated with fresh food and clothing, they started over-hauling the boat discovered in one of the sheds. Although this was not suitable for the open sea, they decided to sail back to their companions. Fresh
“Fighting for life amid a hell of hissing, churning waters.”

“Fighting for life amid a hell of hissing, churning waters.”

difficulties were, that they were now on the opposite side of the island and would have to fight adverse winds and currents. A spar served as a mast and canvas trousers were cut up to restore them to their original form—sail—the making of which took a day.

On setting out they were blown out to sea, regaining the land with difficulty, but the second attempt proved successful, and their companions, who had given them up for dead, gave them a great welcome.

An early start was made by all for the mainland, and they were living there in comparative comfort when Captain Bollons landed. Seeing them all well, he thought it advisable to finish his rounds and pick them up on the way back.

A visit was also made to Disappointment Island to collect the body of the mate, Jabez Peters, and a few things left by the crew. On returning to Erebus Cove in Port Ross, the body was interred in the little cemetery there, after which the Hinemoa embarked the shipwrecked men. They were well treated by all when the vessel reached Bluff, special trains being run for the occasion, and after a great deal of dispute the remains of a brittle boat, together with other curios, were secured by the Canterbury Museum—a fitting tribute to the courage and enterprise of the men who built and sailed it.

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