Loss of the Steamer Tauranga, with All Hands.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 42, 31 August 1870, Page 6

Loss of the Steamer Tauranga, with All Hands.

On the morning of Sunday, 24th July, a collision took place between the ketch limterprise, of 27 tons, and the steamer Tauranga. The ketch was laden with coal, bound to the Thames, and she sank immediately after the collision j the crew reached the shore by means of their boat. The Tauranga was on her passage from Auckland to the Bay of Islands. The fate of "the steamer was unknown in Auckland for some days,-and it was at first doubtful whether it was the Tauranga or Samson that had been struck by the ketch, but the doubt was cleared up by the return of the Samson. | The only account obtained of the disaster is the following, furnished by the mimer of the ketch I left the Bay of Islands on Saturday, about 7.30 a.m., bound for the Thames, having on board a cargo of 3(s tons coals, consigned to Captain Souteil with Henry Hadfield, Bernard M'jQennpfj and Charles C. Clifton, as crew/- ''wle,W leaving the bay, the wind was norl|.wla| moderate. At 4 p.m., when.off Tutu¥als the wind increased, and the weather bccnitc thick, with frequent squalls. Took InlSe mizzen and staysail, ’ Passed the Saill&lk at 10.45 p.m., quite close. I then steered by compass south-east by south. Charles C. Clifton was steering. We carried no lights. Clifton reported a bright light ahead. After coming on deck to see where the light was, I returned to the cabin for the purpose of making ailare up. Whilst I was 1 e!ow, Clifton reported a red and green light close to us. I ran on deck and ordered Clifton to keep away, and immediately the collision occurred. We struck the steamer on the port quarter. I went forward to see if we had sustained any damage, and found that our bows were knocked in. I ordered the boat to be put over at once, and myself and crew got into her, when the Enterprise sank. When in the boat, I heard a cry on board the steamer, as if some person were hurt. It anoeared to come from one person only. We had to keep the boat before the sea, and on the moon shining out) we pulled to Little Omaha, where we arrived at 7 a.m." Fortunately, only five passengers were j board the Tauranga, as far as is known. They were Messrs 0. R. Hector, Wall, and Waters, in the saloon; and Mr Laud and a Maori in the steerage. The crew consisted of Captain Bogler, of Auckland : W. Harwood, of London, chief engineer : Charles Johnson, second engineer j John D. Munroe, of Inverness, chief officer: and nine able seamen, several of whom were married and had families in Auckland. The p.s. Challenger went to search for the missing steamer. At the Little Barrier was found on the beach a mail IpajgA It was sealed, the wax having turniMneffis white with exposure to the and on the piece of leather attachedly written. “ From the Postmaster, Auckland to the Postmaster, Kawakawa." This leaves little doubt that it belonged to the missing steamer. After proceeding a little further, a number of other articles >ere picked up, some of which have been recognised as parts of the Tauranga. :: ¥ ' 6 While the schooner lying about half-a-mile off Waipu she picked up a tan-coloured dog/ swam out to them from the shore. parties in Auckland recognise the dd>^ s belonging to the crew of the Tauranga So far as we know, this poor animal is,“(he only survivor from the wreck. This sad event has made widowg'df women and orphans of The people of Auckland iftg a relief-fund for them, and the subscriptions appear to be flowing in rapidly. F After an enquiry that lasted several days, the Bench gave the following)! decision : —That the collision was causer! by the neglect of the master of the kete»Z, carry proper lights, as required by tUpfe gulations. They, however, were uni||ps to impose any summary master was not in possession of a cpPfl&te. They acquit the crew of the ketch from blame in not attempting to save the passengers and crew of the Tauranga, on the ground that the evidence shewed them to have been ignorant of the fact that the Tauranga bad foundered ; and further, that the wind, and the absence of rowlocks prevented their doing so.” The Tauranga was built at Auckland, and was a smart little steamer of 67 tons I leister and 1 5 horse-power. Her dimenBns were : length, 116 f t, breadth, 17ft • Kl depth of hold, 7ft.