WEECK OF THE S.S. "MATAI."

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 272, 7 June 1889, Page 2

WEECK OF THE S.S. "MATAI."

News from Auckland reports that on Sunday morning lasr, about 7 o'cloi'k, ; the Union Company's sreamer Matai, while on her trip from East Coast ports I to Auckland, struck a rock at the Mercury Islands and fo'u deretl in ten tninuttß. The purser, MrR. H. Larsen, and the fore cabin steward, a man known as George, were drowned. There were seven passengers on board, and they and the remainder of the crew, numbering 17, landed on Mercury Island, and from there were tak- n on board tbe s.p. Hinerooa, whirb brought them to Auckland, arriving this cvrnin^. The Matai made the Mercury Gtoh •> '•»• 9 o'clock on Sunday aornin-.'. Tbe weather was thick, and an a violent easterly jjale was blowing, the steamer bove-to for about forty minutes. When she set out agm'u her course whs altered, to off sbore, but after running for a short time the vessel struck on what is supposed to be Richardson Bock, at the Bed Mercury Island. The boats were at once lowered, and the whole of ti»'f passengers and the crew left the steame", wi'h the exception of Mr Larsen, the purser. He had seized one of tbe davits and remained clinging to if, evidently in terror, and refused to d.op into the boat underneath, though appealed »o by the others. The steamer had struck with great force, and she quickly filled, and tbe batches bursting she sank in 40 fathoms. Larsen went down with the steamer, and was drowned. The forecabin steward fell out of one of the boats, and be too was lost, sinking be* fore be could be rescued. The crew pulled into Mercury Harbour, and were received by Mr Cook, proprietor of the island. When the Matui struck, the passengers had to jump into the water, and were rescued in the boats. Every* thing on board was lost. - »