TOTAL WRECK OP THE TARARUA.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2238, 30 April 1881, Page 2

TOTAL WRECK OP THE TARARUA.

SECOND EDITION.

Serious Loss of Life. [PKB PBBSS ASSOCIATION.] INVERCARGILL, April 29. The point where the Tararua is on the rocks is a few miles north of the Toi Tois, the entrance to the Matanra Hirer, where a dangerous reef runs out some distance from the shore. The steamers Ooomerang and Easby each struck on it some years ago, but got off. ! The first news received by the Union Company was from the Bluff at 10.30 a.m. It , was expressing surprise that the Tararua had not arrived there. Then at 12.30 a telegram 1 was received from Wyndham signed by one of her sailors, giving the bare information, ( “ Tararua ashore at Otara Point. Passengers safe; assistance wanted.” Mr James Mills at once telegraphed to the Wyndham operator whether, judging from what he beard from > the sailor, the Hawea would be sufficient. The operator replied that he thought so, upon 1 which the Hawea was sent down. The point i is far from settlement, on part of the coast line heavily bushed, and Wyndham, where 1 the nearest telegraph office is situated, is a ! long way inland. The colonial offices prinoi- ' pally interested in the insurances are — National Company, Colonial Company, New • South Wales Marino Company, and the United Company. The bulk is in the Colonial Company, which office, however, is pretty > well re-insured. WYNDHAM, April 30. p [The initial portion of this report was I issued from the Globe office at 10.45 this ; morning.] | The special correspondent of the “Southland > News” telegraphs that tidings from Toi Tois | arrived here from Wyndham at 2.30 this ■ (Saturday) morning from the wreck, stating 1 that a terrible disaster has happened. The s.s” ; Tararua struck the Otara reef about half a mile ‘ from the shore at five in the morning, it is supposed owing to a fog. The captain and chief mate are reported to have been below at the time when she struck. The engineer tried to | reverse the engine, but broke his leg. The women rushed on deck in their night-dresses. A heavy sea washed most of them off. Three boats were got out, but were swamped. One boat got away seaward, and one came ashore landing five or six men. The steamer parted amidships. Numbers have perished. Several are still clinging to the wreck. A man with a child in bis arms is lashed to the rigging. A number of settlors are on the beach, anxious to render assistance. Many on-lookers are turning away heart-sick at seeing their fellowcreatures perish before their eyes, while they are unable to render help. The total number ashore is twelve men. So far, it is supposed that all the women and children have perished. The beach is strewn with wreckage and cargo. Several photos have been picked up. Only one body had washed ashore last night. It is said the cries were heartrending, when the people on the wreck saw those on shore leaving at dark. The barque William Ackers was wrecked on the same reef four years ago, and the s.s. Gothenburg previously struck on it. LATER. DUNEDIN, April 30. The Union Steamship 00. have received a telegram that twelve lives only are supposed to have been saved. The “ Star” has received a message from Wyndham, saying that the Tararua has broken up amidships. Only sixteen are believed to have been saved. It is supposed she had nearly 100 passengers. The settlers in the vicinity are unable to render the slightest assistance. The following telegram has been received at the Union Office from Mr Mills:— Bluff, 2 p.m. Mr Maloney and two boats* crew boarded us before daylight. Ho left the Tararua at dusk yesterday, being unable to communicate with ner. The sea was then breaking over her, and she has now totally disappeared. I therefore fear many lives are lost. Only seventeen of the crew and steerage passengers are accounted for so far :—Captain Cameron and Mr Maloney (second mate of Tararua), landed at Boat Harbor, and have proceeded to the neighborhood of the wreck, seven miles distant. I expect them back during the afternoon, and meantime we have run to the Bluff to send information. The Eakanui remains in attendance,” Jas. Mills. A later telegram states that the only passenger in the boat was one of those who had shipped steerage. LIST OP PASSENGERS. ■ Saloon. I Destination. 1 Dr. Campbell, Mrs Campbell, five < children and female servant... London ] (per Orient.) , Mr S. E. Gillingham ... ... London Mr J. Waterhouse Melbourne , *Mr E. Connell Melbourne : *Mr E, Mitchell „ * ♦Rev. J. Armitago ~ ♦B< v. J. B. Richardson M ... „ * ♦Those four were members of the Wesleyan a Conference. u

1r C. Gough London Ir John M. Dean n Ir Crawford M Ir John Gordon London !ov. Waterhouse Melbourne Irs W. B. Jones (the purser’s wife) ~ Steerage. Ir Wm. Young London Hr .fas. Wallace ... ... ... „ Ir Ben. Hanson ... ... ... ~ Irand Mrs Wm. Hill and child ~ IrC. Carlberg ~ JrThos. Jones ~ Jr W. Green ... ... ... Melbourne Jr W. Bassett ... .. Jr Lawrence Bluff Jr Sharp ... ... ... ... ~ Jr Boyle ~ Jr Noil Gough ... ... ... ~ Jr ,T. Ashworth Melbourne Jr Wm. White ... ... —.. London JrJ. Scoon... ... ... ... ~ Passengers from Dunedin. Mr Danl. Davies ... Mr Baylcy Bluff Mr and Mrs Bryant Hobart Saloon —Mr W O. Ramsay. Steerage—Messrs A. Brie, G. Grey, J. Young, P. Anderson, W. Dobson, J. Dobson, J. Bambridee, H. A. Cook, C. Shevar, M. Dowdall, A. N. G. Andrew, John Barry, Wright, G. Robins, G. Martin, Martin Anderson, Robt. Brown, J, O. K va Melbourne Passenger from Auckland. Miss Mary Kelly Hobart Passengers from Auckland. Saloon. Mr Wm. Bell Melbourne Steerage. Mrs Denz, Mr Chattcrton and Sarah (sic) Passengers from Tauranga. Saloon. Mrs Brennan and throe children... Hobart Passengers from Napier. Steerage. Mr J. Daly Melbourne Passengers from Wellington. STEERAGE, Mr Penman Bluff Saloon —Mr C. Bnrgott, Mr S. T. B. Marsh, Mr and Mrs E. W. M. Downes Melbourne Steerage. Mesrrs Thalin, T. O’Sullivan, Williams, Cbas. Holt, T. Davis. Officers, Ac. Master, F. G. Garrard; chief officer, E. Lindsay; second officer, E. Maloney; chief engineer, Alex. Mnnro ; second engineer, Alex. Livingstone; third engineer, Andrew Sutherland; purser. W. B. Jones; carpenter, John Morrison ; chief steward, C. Allen ; stewardessMiss Aitkcn ; crew (so far as known)—E. Johnson, T. Dixon, C, Stewart, F. Deraz, J. Gibb, E. McDavitt, D. Corbet, Frank Rohlo Armi, stead, Wm. Brien, Wm. Smith, W. Collins, Ghas. Silva, J. West:n, J. Burnett, G. Horan, T. Nicholson, H. Poison, W. Adams, A. Armistead, Jas. Maher, Jas. Warren, Robert Burwood, T. Haynes, W. Davidson, A. Miekaliney, and four unascertained names. Note. —Mr Anstey, who had booked for Dunedin, postpone 1 starting. Mr L. Rodgers, of Invercargill, was not a passenger, having missed his passage at Port Chalmers. Mr G. Wiltshire’s name must be added to the above list, as he joined the Xararua at Wellington. 3.25 p.m. The s.fi. Hawea reports at the Bluff that the Tararua is broken up, and that fears are entertained that all were drowned except fifteen. The number on board comprised eighty-two passengers, and a orew of forty. ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. [Amalgamated from various telegrams.] The s.s. Hawea, arrived at the Bluff, reports that the Tararua has disappeared, and that the Hawea picked up a boat containing the second officer, Mrs Hill, and six of the crew. Seventeen in all are supposed to have been saved. It is known that several people booked and joined the Tararua at Port Chalmers,of these, Dennis English, William English, and Alex. McKenzie, shearers, are known to be aboard. Police have been dispatched from Invercargill to the scene of the wreck. The s.s. Hawea called this afternoon to land, letters at the Bluff. She could not communicate with the wreck this morning. The Hawea reports the Tararua is broken up, and wreckage strewed In all directions. At abont 1 o'clock to-day the Kakanni and the Hawea went to try to render assistance.