Wreck of the Kawatiri.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43215, 15 August 1907, Page 2

Wreck of the Kawatiri.

SEVEN PASSENGERS DROWNED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) i HOBART Yesterday. 1 The steamer Kawatiri was wrecked in MacQuarie Harbour at the same spot where the Grafton was lost. Seven persons were drowned, including the stewardess, and it is believed other six passengers. The Kawatiri struck the breakwater at midnight while attempting to enter the heads. The night was dark and very stormy with a high sea. The latest report states that five passengers, namely, Mrs Hooper and two children, and two other children, also the stewardess (Mrs Hoddinott) were drowned. The rest of the passengers and crew arrived safely at Strahan. The corrected list of those drowned in the Kawatiri is Mrs Hooper and her two children, stewardess (Miss Hogett), and two children in arms , belonging to Mesdames Grundy and Tennart, respectively. Owing to the heavy weather most lines of communication between heads and Strathan are down, and only disjointed particulars have been received.

The steamers Kathleen, Nellie and Mahinapua went to the scene. Previous to their arrival a lifeboat with 22 aboard put off and a great wave washed some away, including the stewardess. A succeeding wave smashed the boat to pieces.

The majority of those aboard succeeded in reaching' the breakwater at noon to-day. There are 17 still aboard the Kawatiri. A lifeboat manned- by six men, after being many times driven back, succeeded in bringing them off. The ships company and volunteers behaved splendidly. Apparently the majority of the passengers were in their bunks when the vessel struck. Many being lightly clad, they suffered severely from exposure before being rescued. Later.

The rescue of the crew of the Kawatiri, who remained aboard, was a brave act, when hope of rescuing them had been abandoned. Six men marred the lifeboat and made many gallant attempts to reach the stehmer hut each time were carried away, by mountainous seas, and their lives imperilled. Their desperate bravery however, was rewarded with success after a struggle long and terrible. The men were all spent when their task was accomplished.