["The Mishap To The Cuzco", The Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil (Melbourne), Saturday 06 July 1878, page 62]
THE MISHAP TO THE S.S. CUZCO.
News reached Melbourne on June 14 of the arrival of the steamer Cuzco in Portland with a broken shaft, she having reached that port after being 16 days under sail. Some of the passengers reached Melbourne on the following day, from whom the following account of the voyage was obtained:--The Cuzco left Gravesend on the 17th April, and Plymouth at 6 p.m. on the 20th, experiencing fine weather to 11th May, when the Cape of Good Hope was reached. Upon arrival it was found that one of the mail steamers, the Conway Castle, carrying the mails from London to the Cape, had not arrived, though she had left Plymouth some 36 hours prior to the Cuzco, and it was not for some few hours afterwards that she put in an appearance. With a rapid voyage so far made, it was anticipated that a smart passage for the colonies would be made. After a delay of three days for coaling purposes, a start was again made on the evening of Tuesday, the 14th May. At this port there were about 36 passengers who wished to embark, but the vessel was so full that only six out of that number could be accommodated. Very favourable weather was experienced for some days, and rapid progress was being made, the being only one day that could be termed adverse, till the breaking of the main shaft occurred, which took place on the morning of the 28th May, in lat. 41deg. 16min. south, lon. 117deg. 45min. east, the vessel at the time going at full speed under steam and canvas, in a heavy sea, with the wind on the quarter. It was thought a fortunate circumstance that the wind was on the quarter at the time, for had it been otherwise, the consequences might have been of a most serious nature. More canvas was at once set, after which the captain had notices posted in different parts of the vessel intimating that the accident would be of a very brief character, and that no alarm need be experienced, as the vessel, being barque-rigged, with good masts, had good sailing qualities to carry her safe to port.
From this point very severe weather was encountered, and from the Monday to the Thursday prior to the Cuzco anchoring, it was such as Captain Murdoch states he never before experienced. On the day after the accident, a notice was also given to the passengers in all classes that it would be necessary for them to be placed under short ration allowance, as the voyage would of necessity be of longer duration than was anticipated. Of this intimation the whole of the passengers expressed their entire approval, and letters of condolence were forwarded by the saloon and second-class occupants to the captain.
