TOTAL LOSS OF THE TARARUA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2530, 30 April 1881, Page 2

TOTAL LOSS OF THE TARARUA.

A HEART-RENDING SCENE. FEARFUL LOSS OF LIFE. EIGHTY MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN DROWNED. [By Telegraph.] Invercargill, April 29. The point where the Tararua struck is a few miles north of Toi-Tois, the entrance to the Mataura river. A dangerous reef runs out some distance from the shore. The steamers Coomerang and Easby each struck on it some years ago, but got off, and the barque Wra. Akers was wrecked there about four years ago. The first news received by the Union Company was from the Bluff at 10. 30 a.m. It was expressing surprise that she had not arrived there then, and at 12. 30 a telegram was received from Wyndhatn 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 t o the Wyndham operator whether, judging from what he heard from the sailor, the Hawea would be sufficient. The operator replied that he thought so, upon which the Hawea was sent down as stated. This is the whole of the news procurable. The point is far from a settlement on this part of the coast line, which is heavily bushed, and Wyndham, where the nearest telegraph office is, is a long way inland. The colonial offices principally interested in insurance are the National Company, Colonial Company, New South Wales Marine Company, and United Company. The hulk is in the Colonial Company, which office, however, is pretty well re insured. FULLER PARTICULARS. The special correspondent of tim “ Southland News ” wires from Toi Tois his arrival there from Wyndham at 2.30 this (Saturday) morning. The tidings from the wreck are that a terrible disaster has happened. The Tararua struck the Otara reef about half a mile from the shore at 5 o’clock yesterday morning. The accident is supposed to have occurred during a fog. The Capt. and chief mate are reported to have been below at the time. When the steamer struck, the engineer tried to reverse the engine but broke his leg. The women rushed on deck in their night dresses, and a heavy sea soon washed most of them over. Three boats were got out but were swamped. One got away to seaward and one came ashore, landing five or six men. The steamer parted amidships and a large number of those on board perished. Several are still clinging to the wreck and a man with a child in his arms is lashed in the rigging. A number of settlers are on the beach anxious to render assistance, and many are turning heartsick at seeing their fellowcreatures perishing before their eyes and they unable to render help. The total number ashore are 12 men. So far it is supposed that all the women and children have perished. The beach is strewn with wreck and cargo. Several photographs have been picked up. Only one body had been washed ashore last night. It is said the cries were heartrending when the people on the wreck saw those on shore leaving at dusk. Dunedin. Anri I 30 The “ Star ” has received a message from Wyndham, saying -“The Tararua has broken up amidships. Only 16 are

to have had nearly 100 passengers. The settlers were unable to render the slightest assistance.” LIST OF'PASSENGERS. The following is as complete a list of passengers as the Union Company are able to supply : —From Dunedin to Melbourne (saloon) —Mr W. O. Ram* say, Mr J. O. Eva ; (steerage) A. Rae, George Grey, James Young, P. Ander* sou, Wm. Dobson, J. Dobson, J. Baiubridge, Harry A. Cook, C. Shrevar, M. Dowdall, H. N. G. Andrews, John Barry, Robert Wright, George Robins, George Martin Anderson, Robert Blown. From Dunedin to Hobart (steerage)—M r and Mrs Bryant. From' Dunedin to Bluff (saloon) —Mr Bailey. From Sydney to Bluff (saloon) —Mr L. Rogers. From Auckland to Hobart (steerage)—Miss Mary Kelly. From Auckland to Melbourne (saloon)—Mr William Bell ; (steerage) Mr Denny, Messrs Chatterton and Sarah. From Tauranga for Hobart (saloon)—Mrs Brennan and three children. From Napier to Melbourne (steerage)—Mr J. Daly. From Wellington to the Bluff (steerage)—Mr Penman. From Wellington to Melbourne (saloon) —Mr C. Burgett, Mr S. T. B. Marsh,Mr and Mrs E. W. M. Downes ; (steerage) Mr Thalin, Mr T. O’Sullivan, Mr Williams, Mr Charles Holt, Mr T. Davies. From Lyttelton to the Bluff (steerage) Mr Lawrence, Mr Sharp, Mr Boyle. From Lyttelton to Melbourne—Rev J. Waterhouse, Rev J. B. Richardson, Rev Mr Mitchell. Rev J. Armitage, Mr J. Connell, Dr Campbell, wife and 5 children and female servant, Mrs W. B. Jones, Mr John Gordon, Mr J. Waterhouse, Mr Charles Gough, Mr Crawford, Mr Gillingham; (steerage) Mr and Mrs Hill and child, Mr J. Wallace, Mr William Young, Mr B. Hancox, Mr J. Scown, Mr T. Jones, Mr William White, Mr Daniel Davis, Mr Carl Carlberg, Mr Neil Gough, Mr William Green, Mr W. Bassett, Mr J. Ashworth. Officers and others—Master, F. G. Garrard ; chief officer, R. Lindsay ; second officer, E. Maloney; chief engineer, Alexander Munro ; second ditto, Alexander Livingston ; third ditto, Andrew Sutherland ; purse--, W. B. Jones ; carpenter, John Morrison ; chief steward, 0. Allen ; stewardess, Miss Aitken ; crew (so far ns known)—E. Johnston, T. Dixon, C. Stewart, P. Deraz, J. Gibb, E. McDavitt, D. Corbett, Frank Rohl, S. Armistead, William Brien, W. Smith, B. Collins, Charles Silvaj, E. Weston, J. Barrett, G. Horan, T. Nicholson, H. Dobsou, W. Adams, A. Armistead, Janie i Maher, James Warren, Robert Burvvood, T. Haynes, W. Davidson, A. Mackaliuey, and four names unknown.

L. Rodgers, of Invercargill, was not a passenger; he missed his passage at Port Chalmers. G. Wiltshire isto be added to the list of those who joined the vessel at Wellington. It is now known that several people were booked and joined the vesel at the port. Of these Dennis English, William English, and Alex. McKenzie, shearers, are known to be aboard. Thu IlnfTroa lias arrived from the Bluff and reports that the Tararua has disappeared. She picked up a boat containing the second officer, Mrs Hill, and six o2 the crew., Seventeen in all are suppo ? d to be saved. Christchurch, April 22. The news of the drowning of the passengers per Tararua, has caused a profound seusa.ion here. Several highly respected citizens were on board, some being en route for England.