THE LOSS OF THE TAURANGA.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 179, 5 August 1870, Page 2

THE LOSS OF THE TAURANGA.

The fine little paddle-steamer _ Challanger, which left here a few days hack in search of the s.s. Tauranga, or remnants of that unfortunate steamer, returned to town last night, but had not found any of the bodies of the passengers or the crew. The Challenger, after cruising about the islands; saw no traces, with the exception of the following articles :—A mailbag, sealed, the wax having turned nearly white with exposure to the salt water; and on the piece of leather attached was written, "From the Postmaster, Auckland, to the Postmaster, Kawakawa;" which leaves little doubt that it belonged to the missing steamer. Also 40 and 50 tongued-and-grooved planks were found. Two of them were put on board the steamer and brought up to town ; also 1 chafing spar, 2 companion doors, 1 handspike, half a cork lifebuoy, 1 ash oar, and 3 other pieces of planking, some of which have been recognised as parts of the Tauranga. The whole were placed on the steamer, and brought to Auckland. It is thought that some one of the poor fellows on the ill-fated Tauranga had managed to get to the lifebuoy, and finding it fast had attempted to wrench it off, but on his endeavouring to loosen it had broken it in wo.