Steamer LORD WORSLEY

WRECK OF THE LORD WORSLEY.

Since the cessation of hostilities, the inhabitants of Taranaki have not been so excited and concerned as they were 
on Wednesday morning last, when it became generally known that Mr Parris had received intelligence from the 
natives at the Poutoko pa that a three-masted steamer, with a large number of passengers on board, was wrecked 
on the coast at the Namu, about 45 miles to the south of New Plymouth. This was all the information the letter 
contained; and, as Mr Parris had started early in the moming to endeavour to gather further tidings, the excitement 
and suspense was intense among, the people, who were to be seen in knots in the streets, discussing what vessel 
it could be, and how it fared with the crew and passengers. The excitement was only increased when it was known 
that Mr Parris had returned on finding that he would not be allowed to pass the gate at Puketehe, the southern 
boundary of Tataraimaka. It soon get spread about that an expedition was preparing to proceed to the succour of 
the shipwrecked people; carts and bullocks were warned for immediate service, as in days of old, and ordered to be 
in readiness, &c. ; when a horseman arrived in town to say that a boat was to be seen pulling up from the South. 
This proved to be the case; and, shortly after a boat was seen coming between the Sugar Loaves. When it drew 
near a cargo boat was launched and pulled out to meet it and brought its crew to land, when it became known, that 
the ill-fated steamer was the Lord Worsley, wrecked on Monday last at 1.30 a.m. The boat (the ship's dingy) brought 
Captain Bowden, his second mate, and three of the crew, who with much difficulty and some danger had come round 
Cape Egmont in an open boat, in order to report the loss of the steamer. A light S.E. wind was fortunately blowing, 
and thus enabled the dingy to reach this place easily after doubling the Cape safely. Captain Bowden's account of the 
wreck of his vessel will be found in our correspondence column. 

The information gleaned by us is that the Lord Worsley lies in Namu Bay, in about 2 feet of water when the tide is out, 
and that although lying with rocks through her bottom is not likely to break up. There were in all sixty people on board, 
principally passengers for Auckland and Sydney — two only for this port, Messrs. A. King and Gaylard. The Lord Worsley 
was on her way to Sydney via this port and Manukau with the home-ward English mails from the South, all of which 
are in the wreck, together with the mails from hence on the 25th ultimo. Captain Vine Hall is a passenger, and also 
two Auckland Members of the General Assembly who curiously enough were shipwrecked in the White Swan in going 
down to the Assembly and now again in the Lord Worsley in coming up from it. The Lord Worsley had but little cargo 
on board, principally chrome ore, but besides the mails she was taking specie and gold dust. The passengers, among 
whom are seven ladies and some children, are safely housed by William King Matakatea and his hapu, who have lately 
come over to the government, in a small village near the wreck; the crew live on board. 

Among the circumstances connected with this unfortunate occurrence several are singularly opportune and should be 
noted. 1st. The steamer has gone ashore on almost the only part of the coast where she would not have been dashed 
to pieces and every soul lost on the extensive reefs which surround the coast, and lies in a comparatively safe spot. 
2ndly. She has hit upon the only spot on the coast between here and Wanganui inhabited by friendly natives, who 
from all accounts have behaved in a kindly and hospitable manner to the shipwrecked people. 3rdly. The weather has 
been unusually fine. If it had not been so, Captain Bowden could never have got up here, and we should have been 
without any reliable information to the present moment; and if it had not unfortunately happened that there was no 
vessel to send to their aid, the crew and passengers ere this would have been here, or on their way to Manukau. 

Transcribed from the Taranaki Herald, of 6 September 1862, Page 2

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WRECK OF THE LORD WORSLEY

[From the Wellington Advertiser, Sept. 13.] 

We publish to-day the only authentic account yet given of the wreck of the screw steamer Lord Worsley. It has been 
courteously furnished to us by Captain Vine Hall, and will be found exceedingly interesting. We also give below a letter 
from Capt. Bowden. Captain Bowden's letter is dated New Plymouth, September 8, and is as follows:— 

"To Captain Vine Hall. 

"Dear Sir, — After leaving the wreck of the Lord Worsley on the morning of the 3rd with a strong wind from south-east 
and cross sea, I succeeded in reaching New Plymouth at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Next morning I attempted to reach 
the scene of the wreck overland, but was stopped at the gate, about fifteen miles from town, and was obliged to return. 
Next day got whaleboat and five men, and succeeded in reaching the wreck on Saturday morning. I went on board, and 
found a large body of natives in charge. They were very insulting, and ordered my boat's crew to go into the boat, and 
would not allow them to touch anything. I then asked one of the chiefs, named Adam Clarke, to accompany me onshore 
to see what things were left, as the natives informed me all the crew and passengers were gone overland. While I was 
at the native settlement I was closely surrounded by natives, and strictly questioned why I had ordered the crew to throw 
the powder and shot overboard ; and I assure you I had to declare my innocence in the matter, as I felt my head was 
not worth much, for the natives were very excited, and were flourishing tomahawks and swords. As soon as I could 
proceed to the boat, without showing them that I was in fear, I did so, picking a few books as I went along, which were 
taken from me before I went into my boat, unless I paid Adam Clarke for them, which I refused to do, for if I showed 
them I had any money I am certain that they would not have let me away with any. When finally shoving off from the 
ship, the natives wanted me to come on board to pay them for the visit I had made the wreck. I found the 
compasses broken and parts of them thrown overboard; the iron safe taken out of my cabin and broken open; and all 
the doors and cabin fittings destroyed. The natives were diving for shot, and were getting small quantities in one of the 
boats. They lowered another boat after I left the ship, as the small boat in use was stove. 

"I left the ship at 11 a.m., with a strong wind from north west and cross sea, and had a very heavy pull, and reached 
New Plymouth at midnight — myself and boat's crew completely knocked up with fatigue. I am certain it would be 
unsafe for any person to approach the wreck, as the natives have such a commanding position of the cliff. 

" I remain, dear sir, 
" Your obedient servant, 
"James Bowden."

Transcribed from the Taranaki Herald, of 27 September 1862, Page 3